THALYS HIGH SPEED - PARIS TO BRUSSELS
Red Bullet Train for France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany
Clint Eastwood's "15:17 to Paris" movie recounts the events in 2015 when three young Marines on a holiday trip take down terrorists on the Thalys high speed train from Brussels. But usually the trip can be taken in comfort and quiet as it streaks across the coubntryside. The sleek red train, the Thalys, is the high-speed link between Paris and Brussels, then Brussels to Amsterdam or Cologne and cites in between, 17 cities in all. Like the similar French TGV and the German ICE, the Thalys is a dedicated ultra-fast train making the trip between Paris Gare du Nord and Brussels Midi in under 90 minutes. In Brussels, the Thalys can connect with the Eurostar to London, or continue on to the Netherlands or Germany.
Thalys Schedule and Speed
The candy crimson and silver Thalys trains make over 50 round trips every day on its direct routes, so there are plenty of trains to suit your schedule, usually running about two hours apart. The Thalys offers a variety of on board accommodations and services to enjoy while the beautiful scenery of Flanders and Champagne fields rush past the large view windows. The wheel trucks shared across the connected cars like the TGV, the ride is smooth and whisper quiet at speeds up to 300 Kph in the pressurized train cabin.
First Class and Economy Class Seating
Economy class seating on the Thalys can feel like first class on other more plebian trains, with plenty of legroom and steward attendants in each car, with seat side drinks or snack for purchase service. Travelers who can spend a bit more looking for the luxury travel experience can get a Premier (First Class) Ticket, usually business travelers or First Class Eurail Pass Holders. There are complimentary magazines and newspapers in multiple languages. Mobile phones can be used in designated areas and electrical outlets are located at every seat for charging laptops. First Class has full free Wi-Fi access and economy has free WiFi with a Semi-Flexible level ticket. For cheap economy seats WiFi credits can be purchased in the bar car.
Seating Arrangements and Luggage
Seat Reservations are mandatory for the Thalys. For Eurail Pass Holders, a supplement reservation charge is necessary. With a limited number of seats available for pass holders, reserve well in advance, otherwise you need a full ride ticket. A select number of discounted tickets are available for advanced purchase until they run out. Seating arrangements in First Class are single seats on one side and double seats on the opposite side of the car, facing in either direction. Seating in Second Class are rows of window and aisle seats, with about half facing opposite. Solo seats have pull down tables. Solo Club seats face each other with a table between and Duo Seat are window and aisle, with Club Four seating a group of four facing seats across a table. If traveling in a family or group reserve the club four. Luggage is stored at the end of the cars, or in carry-on sized over-head racks. Thalys allows one carry-on and two suitcases (up to 70 pounds) for each passenger.
Special Deals with Thalys
Thalys First Class passengers to Paris can book a taxi for pick up on arrival at the Gare Du Nord station. All Thalys ticket passengers can get discounted connecting train fares to popular city destinations in Belgium from the Brussels station. The ABS fare (All Belgium Stations) allows you to take any connecting Belgian train within 48 hours of the date and time of arrival in Brussels for no extra charge.
There is a bar bistro car in the center of every train located between First Class and Second Class coaches. Depending on the time of travel the bistro car serves breakfast, lunch or dinner, with a selection of hot dishes, sandwiches, salads, and hot and cold drinks, which can be taken back to your seat, or enjoyed in a bar car conversation with a fellow adventurer, like that “chance” meeting in “North by Northwest”. You never know when you might encounter an international spy on the run. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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SEE ALSO:
EUROSTAR CHANNEL TRAIN LONDON TO BRUSSELS
EUROSTAR
CHANNEL LONDON TO PARIS
EUROPE
HIGH SPEED TRAINS - TGV - ICE
