Thalys E-ticket
May 1, 2018, 4:13 pm
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
Thalys E-ticket
Thalys is offering the choice of e-tickets to be made available on the SNCB International app thereby forgoing the need to print the e-tickets.
To confirm, if I take advantage of this, there won't be a need to validate since it will be impossible to use the yellow validation machines on my phone? Second, I'll be able to go through turnstiles (assuming there are any) at both Paris Gare du Nord for my trip to Dortmund and at Schiphol for my trip to Gare du Nord if use the SNCB app for the rail tickets?
I just want to verify both. Thanks.
To confirm, if I take advantage of this, there won't be a need to validate since it will be impossible to use the yellow validation machines on my phone? Second, I'll be able to go through turnstiles (assuming there are any) at both Paris Gare du Nord for my trip to Dortmund and at Schiphol for my trip to Gare du Nord if use the SNCB app for the rail tickets?
I just want to verify both. Thanks.
May 1, 2018, 4:36 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
Schiphol airport train station has no barriers, you just walk down to the platform from the plaza. Tickets will likely be checked on the train (on Thalys; rarely on NS).
I assume e-ticketing is compatible with train barriers in some way; scan the barcode on the phone screen is a common way.
I assume e-ticketing is compatible with train barriers in some way; scan the barcode on the phone screen is a common way.
May 2, 2018, 11:22 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 276
Thalys is offering the choice of e-tickets to be made available on the SNCB International app thereby forgoing the need to print the e-tickets.
To confirm, if I take advantage of this, there won't be a need to validate since it will be impossible to use the yellow validation machines on my phone? Second, I'll be able to go through turnstiles (assuming there are any) at both Paris Gare du Nord for my trip to Dortmund and at Schiphol for my trip to Gare du Nord if use the SNCB app for the rail tickets?
I just want to verify both. Thanks.
To confirm, if I take advantage of this, there won't be a need to validate since it will be impossible to use the yellow validation machines on my phone? Second, I'll be able to go through turnstiles (assuming there are any) at both Paris Gare du Nord for my trip to Dortmund and at Schiphol for my trip to Gare du Nord if use the SNCB app for the rail tickets?
I just want to verify both. Thanks.
There are no turnstiles at Gare Du Nord, but in a bout of insanity they have introduced security theatre there. So you need to queue for a pointless luggage scan.
May 4, 2018, 6:09 am
#4
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So the luggage is put on conveyor belts like at airports or are these done by hand….please tell me it's the former.
For a Sunday morning 7:50 train to Germany, how early should we arrive at this queue?
May 5, 2018, 2:04 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 276
May 5, 2018, 1:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Rio Rancho, NM - USA
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Be careful at Gare du Nord. A few years ago I was harassed while standing alone in the station. Just a guy trying to aggressively engage me in conversation and sort of circling around me. He quickly vanished when my husband walked up to me.
Gare du Nord is a large station, I would arrive 30 minutes early to get bearings and figure out where to go for security, then which track your train will be waiting on.
Gare du Nord is a large station, I would arrive 30 minutes early to get bearings and figure out where to go for security, then which track your train will be waiting on.
May 9, 2018, 7:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 290
That's pretty quick actually, as there are 3 or 4 lanes and there's no requirement to leave anything (computers, etc) - anyway the platform number won't be displayed before 20 min before departure. Not sure if anybody has ever missed a Thalys due to these controls. Even if that still is theatre (just like in Spain by the way). The Belgians also do it altough that's at random times and selecting random people - but if you board the very same train at either Amsterdam of Köln nobody will harrass you).
May 25, 2018, 6:24 am
#8
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Gare du Nord is a large station, I would arrive 30 minutes early to get bearings and figure out where to go for security, then which track your train will be waiting on.
Originally Posted by KayVeeBee
There are no turnstiles at Gare Du Nord, but in a bout of insanity they have introduced security theatre there. So you need to queue for a pointless luggage scan.