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Everything you need to know about Thalys train tickets

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Kombo gives you an overview of all possible routes between your departure and arrival point. This allows you to choose between several transport modes such as train, plane, bus or carpooling. We will therefore be able to give you the best rates, regardless of the transport mode and distance travelled. Still having doubts? The best thing is to try.

Thalys has become Eurostar

In 2023, the famous red train will disappear, but all Thalys journeys will remain, now provided by Eurostar. 

Concretely, this Thalys-Eurostar merger does not imply any changes in habits for you since the lines served as well as the classes remain the same. As a traveler, your life will even be made easier, since you will be able to benefit from a single common loyalty program bringing together all your Eurostar journeys as well as your former Thalys journeys. From now on, under its new logo, the Eurostar group will cover 5 European countries: France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

Thalys in 2 minutes

  • 4 countries: Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany

  • Free Wifi on all lines

  • 7 million passengers per year

  • Amsterdam at 3h17 from Paris

Everything you need to know about Thalys train tickets

Thalys is a TGV brand operating in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is a Franco-Belgian brand, born from a consortium between several European railway companies: SNCF, SNCB and Deutsche Bahn in 1996.

When to buy a Thalys ticket?

Thalys tickets are generally available between 3 and 4 months before the departure date.

In the same way as for airlines, we recommend that you buy your Thalys tickets as soon as possible to benefit from the best prices.

- For Thalys Soleil that takes you to the South of France, sales open in February for departures between June and August.

- For Thalys Neige that takes you to the foot of the snow slopes, sales open in September for departures between December and April

In what stations can Thalys trains be taken?

Because of the multinational character of the brand Thalys, the company operates from four major European stations located in Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam. However, in most cities, there are more than one large station. We have listed below the main Thalys stations in each of their cities so you do not have to worry about the departure or arrival point of your train.

Paris: all Thalys trains depart and arrive at Paris Gare du Nord located in the North of the French capital. The station is well served by many subways and buses from throughout the city.

Brussels: The main train station is Thalys Brussels Midi, located in the South of the city but very well connected by bus and metro. The station has the necessary facilities for any passenger's trip including shops, information desks, tolls, WiFi ( at a fee) and luggage storage. Transfers from Brussels Airport also arrive at Brussels Midi.

Amsterdam: The only train station offering Thalys trips is Amsterdam-Centraal. The station is located near the center of Amsterdam and has excellent transport links to the rest of the city by tram, boat, subway and bus. There are also connections with the Amsterdam Schiphol airport.

Cologne: At the foot of the iconic cathedral is the central railway station, Cologne Hauptbahnhof. All Thalys trains depart from and arrive at this station, which offers a wide variety of shops, cafes and bars. Passengers will also find luggage warehouses, parking for cars and bikes.

Where can you go with Thalys?

Whether you want to visit Amsterdam and its canals, go to a football match in Dortmund, or greet the Manneken-Pis in Brussels, Thalys is your best ally. Be careful, if you want to go to London, you will have to use Eurostar and not Thalys.

Here are all the cities served by Thalys:

BELGIUM

• Bruxelles

• Antwerp

• Liège

FRANCE

• Paris

• Marne-la-Vallée Disneyland Paris

• Aéroport Paris Charles-de-Gaulle

• Aime-La-Plagne

• Aix-en-Provence

• Albertville

• Avignon

• Bourg-Saint-Maurice

• Chambéry

• Landry

• Marseille

• Moûtiers

• Valence

GERMANY

• Cologne

• Aix-la-Chapelle

• Dortmund

• Duisbourg

• Düsseldorf

• Düsseldorf Aéroport

• Essen

NETHERLANDS

• Amsterdam

• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

• Rotterdam

Other information on Thalys

What are the types of Thalys tickets and what is the difference between them?

Thalys trains have three classes:

- Standard

- Confort

- Premium

From a practical and ecological point of view, travelling with Thalys is one of the most recommended ways to visit Europe via Amsterdam, Brussels or Cologne.

Standard ticket, the cheapest ticket

The cheapest ticket is perfect for taking the train without spending too much. Buying an economic ticket with Thalys includes free onboard WiFi and your own electrical outlets to stay connected while you are traveling. This type of ticket is not flexible (non exchangeable and non refundable), so make sure you book the right time. But paying a little more for these Standard Thalys tickets, you can have exchangeable tickets (with costs). The fee is 15€ for the exchange until the departure of the train, in addition to paying the price difference between the old and the new ticket. This ticket is 50% refundable until the Thalys' departure.

Cheap Comfort, comfort ticket

The Thalys Comfort ticket allows to enjoy the same services as the Standard ticket, with more comfortable and larger seats. As for Standard tickets exchangeable with a fee, you can change the departure time with the same conditions.

Premium ticket, business and flexible ticket

Premium Thalys ticket allows passengers to benefit from all the advantages of the Comfort ticket, but with more comfort and flexibility. More comfort because you will be served a meal, have access to the press and the lounge (to relax, read or eat before leaving). Cool, right? More flexibility: Holders of this Premium ticket can choose any train on the day of their journey up to one hour before departure. The ticket is 100% refundable before the departure time and up to one hour after at the Thalys ticket office. Obviously this is the most expensive Thalys ticket.

Discounted tickets include :

- Children's tickets (age 4 to 12)      

- For youth (12 to 26)    

- Seniors (over 60 years)   

- For passengers in wheelchairs and escorts of disabled

Which subscriptions for even cheaper Thalys tickets ?

If you need to travel regularly with Thalys, both privately or professionally, it may be more advantageous to buy a subscription. For example, if you travel at least 3 times a month to join Paris from Amsterdam, you can save up to 4,556€ by choosing the Thalys Pass Frequent.                    

Calculate my savings with Thalys subscription

You have 2 types of Thalys subscription available:

- Premium pass: if you regularly travel to Belgium with Premium tickets, this subscription is made for you. Thanks to Thalys Pass Premium, you benefit from a single tariff of 30€ on each Premium ticket. This is the most flexible subscription: 100% refund before and after departure and the ability to change your time of departure.

- Frequent pass: regardless of the destination, if you regularly travel with Thalys to go to Germany, Belgium or the Netherlands, choose this subscription. It gives you access to all types of Thalys tickets (Premium, Comfort and Standard). Book your tickets with a 50% discount guaranteed until 7 days before departure (if less than 7 days before departure, you can always access to tickets at -30%). Excluding the Thalys Sun and Snow Thalys. Ticket exchanges are unlimited. However, you may be asked to pay the difference if the new ticket is more expensive than the one initially booked. If you miss a Thalys train for which you have a ticket, you can always take a "framing" train but that does not necessarily give you the right to a seat. What is a "framing" train? It is the train preceding or following the reference train (the one for which you had a ticket) in the same direction.

How to find special rates on Thalys ?

Using Kombo, you are guaranteed to be able to buy a Thalys ticket at the cheapest price. If the company itself offers a promotion, we will display it.
Indeed, they may make special offers depending on the seasons or local events. Like many bus companies, Thalys also offers special rates for children from 4 to 12 years, young people under 25 and adults 60 and over.

How to buy a Thalys ticket if I am disabled ?

If you are disabled, Thalys will not forget you and you can benefit from special rates at a fixed price in the Premium area.        

- Travel in Belgium with Thalys for 29€

- Travel in the Netherlands with Thalys for 35€

- Travel to Germany with Thalys for 35€

However, this type of tickets can not be purchased online and you need to call (+33) 183 75 49 69 (cost of a local call) 7d/7 from 7:00 until 22:00 to make your reservation. And if I am accompanied? You can of course bring someone with you. The accompanying person will have the same rate as you.

You have your Thalys train tickets...

Is there WiFi on Thalys trains?

Yes! All Thalys trains are equipped with Wi-Fi. So you can stay connected for the duration of your trip.

Can I eat on Thalys trains?

If you have a Thalys Premium ticket, you are entitled to a meal tray on board the Thalys train, served directly to your seat.

What should I think of before leaving with Thalys ?

The Thalys trains are international, it is possible that the boarding on some trains take longer than for national trains if customs wish to control. At the Paris Gare du Nord train station for example, baggage must be inspected by a scanner like at the airport. Depending on territories, regulations can vary and the controls too. Always make sure to arrive early. It is better to wait a little at the station than to miss the train!

How much luggage can I bring with Thalys ?

On the Thalys trains, you are allowed to travel with 2 bags (75 x 53 x 30cm maximum) and 1 hand luggage per person. There are no weight restrictions. However, you should know that in the event of excess baggage, Thalys is given the right to ask you to pay 30€ per additional bag or deny access on selected bags. If you are a young parent, the stroller does not count as a baggage. So you can take your usual luggage and a baby stroller at no additional cost.

Can I bring my bike?

Yes! The bike question aboard a Thalys train is a recurring issue (especially for those who go to visit the Netherlands, Kingdom of the bike). But beware, there are some rules to follow:

- The two bicycle wheels must be removed

- It should be stored in a bag that meet very precise dimensions: 135 x 85 x 30cm maximum. If you have a folding bike, it must meet the same dimensions as a conventional luggage (75 x 53 x 30cm maximum)    

You must arrive at the dock at least 30 minutes before departure.

Please note that the bike counts as luggage. So you can only take one bag instead of 2 if you have a bike.

If you have another type of luggage (musical instrument for example), you can of course take it with you but it should not exceed 2m in length. Therefore prefer the violin bass. And in the same way as for the bicycle, the "special" luggage replaces one of the two baggages allowed by Thalys.

How to cross borders with Thalys ?

Since Thalys operates in the Schengen area, the Border Police does not make an immigration control. That said, make sure that you have the necessary identity documents before leaving. However, customs are required to do random checks. The only advice we can give you here is to observe the regulations of each of the territories crossed and you won't have any problem.

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