Same-day ticket from Brussels to Paris - what's the most cost-effective way?

Question

I'll need to travel from Brussels to Paris in mid-September, but won't know the exact date until the day of travel. If I come to the SNCB terminal around 6pm on a weekday and order a Thalys economy adult ticket for a flexible time that evening, how much should I expect to pay?

Any better options?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, in most of the cases if you show up in the station to buy the ticket you are asked to pay the full fare which is 82 EUR pp/ one way.

I would recommend to check out the Internet for offers on changeable tickets. I am sure you will be able to find something on the Thalys website if you check from time to time. Just make sure you are checking the conditions for the fare class of the ticket you are intending to purchase.

Answer 2

One option that MIGHT be a little cheaper is:

Take TGV from Brussels to Charles De Gaulle airport [CDG], then the RER B into Paris.

From what sncf.fr tells me [putting today's date it's already Tuesday in France] , a same day TGV ticket would be 62 Euros [but changing trains in Lille] or 68 Euros [direct to CDG]  plus the 8 Euro fare to take the RER B into Paris.

We did the Brussels->CDG Airport_>RER B journey last September [but were able to set the date ahead of time and get a cheaper TGV ticket; at the time Thalys gave no discounts for one-way tickets, even when bought in advance]

However, one of the other advantages was, although  the Thalys terminates at Paris Nord, the RER goes past there. We got off at the Saint Michel-Notre Dame RER stop , and we were able to walk to our hotel instead of taking the metro, bus or taxi...which we would have done if we had stopped at Paris Nord.

So, depending on where you are going, the Brussels->CDG->RER B might work. For us it did.

Also, you could take the bus. It takes 4 hours, but only costs 26 Euros. It departs from Brussels Gare du Nord.

Answer 3

You can check tariffs on the website www.sncb-nmbs.be

However on the website www.thalys.be you can find bargain tickets from Brussels to Paris. The cost is a very cheap € 15 one-way. But you have to pay through the internet with a secure payment (credit card is not enough, you must have a proof of identity). Check well beforehand so you can buy this ticket immediately on the day of departure and/or return.

Answer 4

49 US-dollars

http://travelocity.raileurope.com/us/rai...