Train Paris to Brussels

Travelling by train from Paris to Brussels is even more comfortable than taking a flight between two major cities. There is no need to stand in security lanes or check in your suitcases before departure. You just need to reserve your seat in advance (or buy it full price on board) and go.

What are the differences between the TGV, Thalys and Eurostar? These are the three major high speed rail networks crossing between France, Belgium, the United Kingdom and other nearby European countries. These brands can be easily confused so to ensure you take the correct train from Paris to Brussels, be familiar with each of their destinations.

In fact TGV stands for “train à grande vitesse” (high-speed train) in French. It is a type of train as well as a rail brand. TGV is a brain of French trains connecting France to many large European cities. If you decide to land in Paris CDG, you can take the TGV from Charles de Gaulle airport to Brussels. However if you are already in Paris, you must take the Thalys to go to Brussels.
www.tgv.com

Thalys and Eurostar are types of TGVs (high-speed train), too.

The Thalys is a well known brand of high-speed rail that connects Paris to Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Marseilles and many stations in between. The Thalys runs a frequent number of trains to Brussels, its Paris train leaves from Gare du Nord (North Station) every hour. The train in Brussels leaves from Gare du Midi also known as Zuidstation (South Station).
www.thalys.com

The Eurostar has major stops in Paris, Brussels and London. Since the United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen shared border zone, you always have to check-in 20 minutes before your Eurostar train when you go to London.
www.eurostar.com

It pays to book in advance for each of these high-speed rail services because just like flight tickets, they get more expensive closer to the date of departure. Each company has its own website where travellers can book their tickets online in advance with several ways to receive the tickets (pick-up at the station, home-print or by post). Payment is normally accepted via credit card or bank card. A second class train to Paris or from Paris is between 25€ to 90€. Eurostar tickets can be even more
expensive in premium class.

Rail pass holders, with companies such as Eurail, remember you still need to pay a supplement to take the high speed trains. Go to the ticket counter first before jumping on the train or you will not find a seat and you may still need to pay on board.