is a high-speed train service that connects Paris with Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne.
Among other routes, Thalys operate 24 services per day between Brussels and Paris, taking 1 hour 22 minutes, 6 services between Brussels and Cologne, taking 1 hour 47 minutes, up to 11 services per day between Brussels and Amsterdam in 1 hour 53 minutes (via Antwerp, Rotterdam and Schiphol airport) and up to 5 daily services between Paris and Cologne, taking 3 hours 14 minutes.
On Thalys services you can choose between First class (Comfort 1) and Standard class (Comfort 2).
Thalys offers a range of fares that vary in price according to how far in advance you book and how much flexibility is required.
Whether you choose to travel in Comfort 1 or in Comfort 2, you will be guaranteed a comfortable journey: soft lighting, air-conditioned carriages, spacious seats with head and footrests and pull-down tables.
COMFORT 1
Brussels > Amsterdam from £44.00
Brussels > Cologne from £26.00
Included in the ticket price is a meal served at your seat. The menu is varied and accompanied by a choice of hot and cold drinks.
A selection of international newspapers and magazines.
For those travelling to Paris or Brussels, a taxi reservation service is available. A member of the on-board team will pre-book a taxi if required, 30 minutes prior to the arrival of the train. The customer will be met at the station when they alight from the train.
The ‘Salon’ Space is a private space on board offering ideal conditions for working (available at a fixed price).
Free WiFi access throughout the journey**.
* SEMI-FLEX fare, valid for a one way journey in Thalys Comfort 1. On sale up to day before departure, subject to availability.
Exchangeable once only, up to day beofre departure.
For refund requests before departure (and up to 1 hour after departure in the Thalys departure station), 50% of ticket price will be withheld.
** Provided that the technical service is available. Service provided by 21Net and activated by Nokia Siemens Network.
COMFORT 2
Brussels > Amsterdam from £26.00
Brussels > Cologne from £17.00
A tempting array of snacks and drinks are available in the Bar-buffet.
* NO-FLEX fare, valid for a one way journey in Thalys Comfort 2.
On sale up to 30 days before departure, subject to availability.
Non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
COMFORT AND SERVICES
Tickets for the public transport systems of Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris can be purchased from the Bar-buffet. The cost will be the same as if they were purchased upon arrival.
Tickets for the public transport systems of Cologne, Aix-la-Chapelle and Rotterdam can also be purchased from the Bar-buffet.
Mobile phone use is permitted on board Thalys services.
Each passenger can take two suitcases and one piece of hand-luggage on board the train. All luggage must be clearly labelled and should be placed in the luggage racks situated at either end of the carriage, or on the shelf above the seats.
At the Thalys bar the customer can buy internet credits.
Wi-fi on board*
Customers can surf the net, read their emails or finish off a piece of work, all of these things are possible thanks to the WiFi service available on all Thalys trains and on all routes.
WiFi is free for passengers in Comfort 1 and passengers in Comfort 2 with SEMI-FLEX and Thalys The Pass tickets.
Subject to technical availability of the service.
Service provided by 21Net and operated by Nokia Siemens Networks.
FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
TheCard TheCard is the Thalys loyalty card.
Collect miles on each journey you make and enjoy great benefits and free tickets. 4 cards, 4 statuses: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum + ThePass
The Pass Premium: ultra frequent passengers on the route Paris-Belgium wishing maximum flexibility and comfort at attractive prices.
The Pass Business: frequent passengers over the whole Thalys network wishing to benefit from discounts and flexibility/easy travel.
The Pass Weekend: regular leisure passengers wishing to benefit from attractive weekend tariffs
Popular Journey
Average journey time
Frequency/Day
Brussels <=> Cologne
1 hr, 47 mins
Up to 5/Day
Brussels <=> Paris
1 hr, 22 mins
Up to 24/Day
Brussels <=> Amsterdam
1 hr, 50 mins
Up to 11/Day
Antwerp <=> Paris
2 hrs, 02 mins
Up to 11/Day
Popular Journey
Average journey time
Return price from
Brussels <=> Cologne
1 hr, 47 mins
£34
Brussels <=> Amsterdam
1 hr, 50 mins
£50
Paris <=> Amsterdam
3 hrs, 16 mins
£60
Journey times are approximate and may vary. Please check all train times when you book. Prices are per person based on the cheapest available return adult standard class fare.
Train Name:Thalys
Description:High speed day trains linking Paris to Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Seasonal services operate to the French Alps in Winter and the South of France in Summer.
Train Code: TGH
Reservation: Compulsory.
Booking Horizon:3 months for Public bookings, 4 months for Group bookings.
Accommodation:Comfort 1 (First class) and Comfort 2 (Standard class)
Comfort 1 (First class):Comfort 1
All services available for Comfort 2 (standard class) customers.
Meal at seat: breakfast, lunch or dinner (depending on time of the day) and a hot or cold drink included in the price of the ticket. Customer can request a vegetarian meal on the train (this is subject to availability).
Daily newspapers & magazines in a selection of languages.
Taxi booking service for an arrival in Paris or Brussels:
- Paris: A member of staff will be waiting opposite platforms 8 & 9. Taxi drivers charge a fee of 12€ for serving the station in addition to the cost of the journey. Both these costs are paid locally to the driver.
- Brussels: Situated on level 0, between platforms 3/4 and 5/6. A flat fee of around 23€ is charged for journeys to any one of the 19 communities that make up the Brussels-Capital region, as well as Zellik and Diegem. Again, the cost is paid locally to the driver. For any other destinations, the taxi fare corresponds to the price displayed on the meter (service fee + cost of journey).
Access to VIP lounge in Cologne, Amsterdam, Schiphol & Rotterdam station (for Hi-Life/Flexi ticket holders). Passengers with "TheCard" (Thalys loyalty card) can access the Grand Voyageur lounge in Paris Nord and the Thalys lounge at Brussels Midi.
Free Wi-Fi access
"Le Salon" - a separate seating area in Comfort 1 (First class) for up to 4 people. The seating area has 4 large leather seats around a table.
Comfort 2 (Standard class): Comfort 2
Comfortable first class seats in air-conditioned carriages.
Comfortable seats with headrest, footrest, table and air-conditioning.
Power sockets at every seat.
Public transport tickets for Brussels, Paris & the Netherlands can be purchased at the bar-buffet carriage.
Bar-buffet car serving hot and cold drinks and snacks. Fair Trade and Organic food is also available to purchase.
Credit cards can be used at the bar buffet.
Thalyscope: Thalys bi-monthly magazine, contains practical information and a list of current cultural events, available at the entrance of each carriage.
Payable Wi-Fi access. Unlimited access costs 13€, or 6.50€ for an hour. Credit can be bought from the bar.
From 11th March 2012, passengers with standard class Semi-Flexi tickets can get free Wi-Fi access.
Catering: Depending on the time of day the following meals will be served to First class ticket holders.
Breakfast: a choice of drinks, croissants, cheese or cold meats, fruit salad or yoghurt (served between 06:00 and 09:15)
Snack: a choice of drinks, sandwiches, cakes and fruit are served outside of lunch and dinner time.
Lunch: a choice of drinks, cold starter and main meal, bread and dessert (served between 12:00 and 13:00).
Dinner: Starter, main and dessert served between 18:00 and 20:15.
Bar-buffet car: located in carriages 4, 14 and 24, serving hot dishes, sandwiches, sweet and savoury snacks, salads, hot and cold drinks, as well as organic and Fair Trade products.
Disabled Facilities: Wheelchair and Companion spaces are situated in Comfort 1 (First class) in carriages 1, 11 and 21.
Disabled toilets are located next to the Wheelchair and Companion space.
Manual and electric wheelchairs / scooters are accepted on board, provided the width of the chair is no greater than 77cm.
Foldable wheelchairs count as 1 piece of the passenger's luggage allowance.
Smoking: All Thalys trains are entirely non-smoking
Family space: The dedicated Family space is found in carriages 6 and 7.
The family seating area consists of 4 seats around a foldable table, separated by a glass partition.
Seats can be folded away to accommodate a pushchair.
Babychanging facilities, including a changing table, washbasin and bottle warmer, are located in carriages 7, 17 and 27.
Luggage:2 pieces of baggage and 1 small piece of hand luggage per passenger. All luggage must be labelled. There is no weight limit.
Luggage areas at the end of each carriage + racks above the seating for smaller items of hand luggage.
Accepted items of luggage include: Foldable Prams and pushchairs, portable musical instruments, and foldable wheelchairs. Bicycles, skis and surfboards must be transported in bags whose dimensions do not exceed 120x90cm.
Items not accepted as luggage: Items that exceed the authorised length limit of 85cm.
Also not permitted are hazardous substances such as: unloaded weapons, firearms, explosives, flammable liquids &chemicals.
Bicycles: Bicycles, skis and surfboards must be transported in bags whose dimensions do not exceed 120x90cm.
Domestic Animals: Domestic animals are permitted onboard Thalys trains provided other passengers do not object.
Dogs must be muzzled and on a lead. Small domestic animals must be carried in a pet carrier (with dimensions no greater than 55x30x30 and no heavier than 5kg).
Dogs that aren't travelling in a pet carrier who are heavier than 5kg must have a ticket.
The dog will either sit on the lap of the passenger or on the floor beside them.
Guide dogs travel for free and do not require a ticket.
Maximum of 2 dogs or 2 pet carriers or 1 dog and 1 pet carrier per passenger.
Toilets: Toilets are located at the end of each carriage. All trains have both ladies and gentlemen's toilets.
Thalys Loyalty Card "The Card": "The Card" is a loyalty card that offers cardholders Miles (points) for every journey made.
Silver, Gold and Platinum cards are available, offering benefits such as: Access to the Thalys Lounge at Brussels Midi and the Grand Voyageur Lounge at Paris Nord, discounts with Accor and www.designhotels.com hotels, taxi reservation service, Europcar discount, Travel updates straight to a mobile phone, and a "Hop on the next train" service should the passenger miss their train.
