The first Eurocity train between Brussels and Paris hit the tracks on Wednesday morning. The more affordable train service will run throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but the ambition is for the line to continue afterwards.
In the run-up to the French capital becoming the sporting centre of the world, Belgian national railway operator SNCB has unveiled a cheaper rail service between Brussels and Paris. The first train left the station on Wednesday morning, and until 11 August, four trains will run between the two cities each day. Mons is the only stop between Brussels and Paris, where passengers can also board.
"Demand for tickets is on the rise as the Olympic Games begin this week," SNCB spokesperson Dimitri Temmerman told The Brussels Times. "However, cheap tickets are still available, so anyone who wants to travel to Paris by train in the next few days can still plan an affordable trip."
The travel time is estimated to be around three hours during the week. On weekends, this will be closer to four hours due to work on the line in France.
Booking required
Two direct trains will run daily between Brussels-Midi and Paris-Nord from 24 July to 11 August. The first train will depart in the morning (07:02 on weekdays and 07:06 on weekends) and the second in the afternoon (13:38 on weekdays and 12:26 on weekends).
The first return train departs from Paris-Nord at 12:30 on weekdays and 13:56 on weekends, and the second departs at 18:48 on weekdays, 17:42 on Saturdays and 17:58 on Sundays.
During the Paralympics from 28 August to 8 September, the service will leave Brussels-Midi at 07:02 on weekdays and 07:06 on weekends, with a return journey in the early evening (18:48 on weekdays and 19:02 on weekends).
Passengers must booking specifically via the SNCB international website for the Eurocity train. Second class tickets start from €34 one way, and first class tickets from €49.
Temmerman reiterated SNCB's ambition to continue the service after the sporting event. "It has always been our aim to launch a permanent train to and from Paris on the classic railway by the end of this year," he said. "We think offering these low prices is vital in convincing people who still want to travel to Paris by car to take the train instead. Cheaper tickets will be the deciding factor in this."
