Belgian railway operator SNCB is reinstating the more affordable Eurocity trains for travellers wishing to go to Paris during the Paris Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September.
From Wednesday 28 August, two trains will run every day between Brussels and Paris. During the first two days of the launch (28 and 29 August), the train will leave Brussels-Midi at 07:38.
On the other dates, the service will leave Brussels-Midi at 07:02 on weekdays and 07:06 on weekends. On the way to France, the train also stops at Mons station, where passengers can board as well.
The return train towards Brussels-Midi departs at Paris-Nord station in the early evening (at 18:48 on weekdays and at 19:02 on weekends). This train, too, stops at Mons station.
Long-term plan
Booking a seat is mandatory and must be done through the SNCB International website for the Eurocity train. Second-class tickets start from €34 one way, and first-class tickets from €49.
With this offer, SNCB wants to promote international trains connections as a sustainable and comfortable alternative to cars, buses and planes.
While the offer is only temporary at the moment, plans are afoot to continue the line even after the Games. "We announced in July last year that we are exploring a connection to Paris via classic railway lines, as this is already our most popular destination," SNCB spokesperson Dimitri Temmerman previously told The Brussels Times. "We are looking to launch this from the end of 2024."
