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' Thalys'   high-speed  trains . . .

Travel by Thalys high-speed train

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Thalys is a consortium of the French, Belgian, Dutch & German national railways formed to run the high-speed trains between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam & Cologne.

First class seats on a high-speed Thalys train. Second class on board a 'Thalys' high-speed train to Cologne
1st class seats on Thalys... 2nd class seats on Thalys... A Thalys about to leave Brussels...

Facilities on board Thalys...

  • All Thalys trains have 1st & 2nd class seats and a cafe-bar.  On Thalys, 1st class is marketed as 'Comfort 1' and 2nd class as 'Comfort 2'.

  • Like Eurostar, advance reservation is obligatory and special fares apply.  Ordinary rail tickets are not valid.  Railpass holders must pay a special fare costing around 12 euros if your pass covers all the countries you will pass through.  However, these passholder fares aren't generally bookable online.

  • Seat numbering plan for Thalys:  Click here.

  • Comfort 1 fares include a complimentary meal served at your seat between Paris & Brussels, or drinks & snacks served at your seat between Brussels & Amsterdam or Cologne.

  • There are power sockets for laptops & mobiles (2-pin, 220v) at all seats in both Comfort 1 & Comfort 2.

  • WiFi for laptops is available on all Thalys trains, free of charge in Comfort 1, in Comfort 2 it costs 6.50 euros for 60 minutes or 13 euros for your whole journey.  You can log on and pay on board, or buy a card in the bar car.

  • Baby changing facilities are available in cars 7, 17 & 27.  There are special family areas in cars 6 & 7.  Children under 12 are no longer allowed to travel alone on Thalys trains.

  • Wheelchair spaces are provided in cars 1, 11 & 21, together with wheelchair-accessible toilets.  There's more information for travellers with disabilities at www.thalys.com.

  • All luggage must be labelled with your name.  Folding bicycles and bikes in zip-up bike bags no bigger than 120cm x 90cm are carried, but not undismantled bikes.  There's more detailed information at www.thalys.com.  For information on taking bikes by train in Europe, see the bike by train page.

  • Small dogs & pets in carriers no bigger than 55 x 30 x 30cm travel free, but larger dogs require a special ticket (not bookable online), see www.thalys.com for more details (UK travellers should note that Eurostar does not carry dogs, see advice here).  Guide dogs go free on both Eurostar & Thalys.

  • First class lounges at stations:  At Amsterdam, Cologne, Schiphol & Rotterdam, anyone with a 1st class international ticket or railpass can use the elegant first class lounge, with complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks and beer.  Unfortunately, in Paris & Brussels, only holders of special frequent traveller cards can use the lounge.  In the Netherlands, look for signs to the 'NS Hispeed lounge'.  In Germany, look for signs to the 'DB Lounge'.

Cafe-bar car on a refurbished Thalys high-speed train   Breakfast served in first class on Thalys trains   NS HiSpeed lounge at Schiphol station

Cafe-bar car serving drinks and hot & cold snacks...

 

An at-seat meal or snack is included in the 1st class fare on Thalys.  This is breakfast.

 

1st class travellers may use the lounges in Amsterdam, Rotterdam & Cologne.

   
Thalys power car, earlier type...   Unrefurbished 1st class seats...   Unrefurbished 2nd class seats...

Thalys timetables, fares & how to buy tickets...

  • You can check Thalys train times & fares at the Thalys website, www.thalys.com (you print out your own ticket), though you may find www.bahn.de an easier and faster way to check any train timetable in Europe if you don't want tickets or fares.

  • UK travellers can book Thalys as part of a through journey from London via Brussels to Amsterdam or Cologne at either www.eurostar.com or www.raileurope.co.uk.  You can book any Thalys train at www.raileurope.co.uk.

  • Travellers from other countries should book Thalys using www.thalys.com and you print out your own ticket.

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