I'm trying to book a oneway or return (if cheaper) on Thalys between Paris Nord and Brussels Midi - and the fare for one way is 78 Euro and 82 Euro return in 2nd class. I only needed one way really.

So I just priced it as an oneway in F class for comparisons - and it was at 122 Euro. For less than an hour and a half's trip. Compare that with 138 Euro oneway from Paris all the way to Koln in Germany - also in F class!

Why are fares so expensive on SNCF? The return (in 2nd class) is supposed to be a 'special' too.

For comparisons' sake.. a 2.5 hour journey on Thalys from Amsterdam to Brussels costs only 46 Euro , and only 35 Euro on "Corail".