Arriving on AA at 8:45, and need to reserve Thalys to Paris. Can we reasonably expect to be through customs, immigration, baggage claim and taxi to Bruxelles Midi train station for the 10:40 Thalys? The 11:40?

Thanks!

Lessee, we did this last summer, only we took a train from BRU. As I recall, the trains leave BRU every 20 minutes and go at an agonizingly slow rate to Midi, but still get there in max 30 minutes. Incidentally, this could well be faster than a taxi and it is WAY cheaper.

Then it depends on whether you actually HAVE your tickets for the Thalys already or bought them online from the SNCB site (like I did) and have to wait in line to get them. In that case, you have to find the one place in the entire station where you can wait in line and get the tickets. Took about 20 minutes from the time we reached the station, but the line wasn't long then.

So I'd say if you have to pick up tickets, book the 11:40. If you already have your tickets, go for it. If you have to wait, there are lots of places to eat at Midi.

Incidentally, don't buy online from the Eurostar site, the SNCB site is way cheaper on a round trip especially.

I would definitely second the recommendation to take a train from the airport, not a taxi.

And I would probably go for the three-hour connection as well rather than the two-hour one - two hours is do-able, but I always prefer to give myself more time just in case. It usually makes for a more relaxed journey.

Thanks so much! I didn't know there was a train. Definitely a better option. On the SNCF site, you can now print out your tickets, so I don't have to worry about that. It is �49 round trip which sure beats the extra $800 an ord-cdg ticket would have cost, and we'll enjoy a couple days in Brussels at the end of the trip.

Thanks again for your help.

Derek

I'm not sure of the time of day, but I remember seeing somewhere that there is now a direct BRU airport to Paris-Nord Thalys service, which may be more convenient for you.

I've just checked out the connections at www.bahn.de and could not see any direct services. What I did find, however, is that the Thalys service is half-hourly, not hourly - so in addition to the 1040 and the 1140 there is also a train at 1110 which may be the best one to go for.

you might want to add extra time in case there is a strike at bru. Seems to be a yearly occurence.

Hmm, you're right. However, it *is* available through SN Brussels' website: http://www.flysn.com/ It seems to be treated as a flight, with premium fares to match...

I suggest you use http://www.thalys.com

I guess the mystery is solved. There's only one direct Thalys train a day from Brussels Airport to Paris Nord. 9:29-11:35. It IS on the www.bahn.de website.

Note that even this schedule takes 2:06, which is actually a few minutes longer than the 2:01 or 2:03 half-hourly service with a change at Brussels-Midi. In fact, if you miss the 9:29 departure by 2 minutes, you can still take a slow train at 9:32, and then catch up to the Thalys at Midi for Paris Nord.