Brussels Travel Forum

We will be in Brussels the week commencing 1st September and plan a day trip to Aachen in Germany by Thalys train.

Just received an offer from Rail Plus of half price fares during Sept. Would you confirm whether this is a good price or can we purchase cheaper when we reach Brussels Two senior fares ( over 60 years of age, travel Wednesday 3rd Sept.

Brussels to Aachen depart 8:25am arrive 9:58am

Achen to Brussels return 18:02 arrive Brussels 19:35

Travel 2nd class plus booking fee $30.

Total cost Aust $254 = Euro 155 for 2 persons return journey.

Is this a good price for 2nd clas or can we get it cheaper?

Should we take a later return journey or would 7 hours be sufficent to see the sights.

Appreciate all replies

Mike

You are paying to much. The standard "senior" Thalys fare for Brussels - Aachen is 20,50 one way, so return for two persons would be 82,- This is a fully flexible fare, so you could theoretically book the last return of the day, and exchange the ticket in Aachen for one on an earlier departure if you want to. You just buy this at the ticket counter in Brussels.


If you're over 65 and don't mind travelling a bit longer there is an even cheaper way to get to Aachen.
What you can also do is avoid premium train and us special deals to the. Buy a return Brussels - Liege (only 4,- pp if you are over 65), and buy a "Euregioticket" (14,50). This ticket is valid on all conventional public transport in the Region Aachen and in the Belgian province of Liege. It is therefore valid on the IR train Liege - Aachen. On weekends two persons can even travel on the ticket, which makes it even cheaper, and as it is valid on all public transport in the region you can also use it on the city buses in Aachen.
The only disadvantage is that you will have to buy this Euregio Ticket in Liege, so on the outward trip you will need to catch an earlier train to have enough time.
So for example your trip could look like this:
Brussels depart 7:57, arrive Liege 9:03, buy Euregio Ticket, take IR train to Aachen at 9:34, arrive there at 10:26.
The return trip looks like this:
Aachen depart 18:32 (or 20:34), change in Liege, and arrive in Brussels at 21:3 (or 23:03)

Mike,

This is a VERY-VERY BAD, BAD, BAD price. This is a rip-off. Never buy from overseas "train experts".
Besides, what is that booking fee? The Thalys tickets are always with the reservation.

I got total for two people 60 Euro for the same train both ways - enjoy the screenshot:

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4995/thalysau3.png


I suggest you to book from the Thalys web site, www.thalis.com and pretend, you live in Germany. I just did the same. Use your credit card and book on-line tickets and print them out (you receive a pdf).

If you are afraid to do it, I can buy the tickets for you at local WASTEELS office and send them to Australia. It will be somewhat more, but not THAT more!

Otherwise if you want full flexibility - a suggestion: just buy the "Librys" ticket on same train while in Bruxelles for 30 Euro/person. That is still much less. Nota Bene: the most expensive "Librys" ticket if bought locally with full fare (no senior!) is still much less than that rip-off you mentioned.

Shame, shame, shame - what a shame!

Thanks, K_V_B - I overlooked the full flexibility senior fare for 20.50. This places the said "offer" in an even worse light than.

Price is rip off!!! If you buy the ticket 3 weeks in advance you can get Talys for much less than this!!!
Also the EuroRegio ticket is good idea too.
I usualy get ticket from Aachen to Liege-Vise in Belgum (first little village acros the border) wich cost 4.75 Euros. And from then you get ticket within Belgum for 12Euros. Note this way you will need to change trains at Liege. Aachen -Liege 40 km.
There is another thing tame, with Talys you are in Brussels in 1.30hrs and with changing trains one hour more. Also note that Liege -Guliames Railway Station is in the last fase of building works,(it is totaly redone).
So I sugest Aachen to Liege-Vise at 7.10am
Liege-Vise to Brussels 08.05am
Brussels Midi to Liege-Guliames 850pm
Liege to Aachen 9.40pm arriving in Acchen around 10.20pm
if you look on www.bahn.de you can book your travel with Talys way up front and and you will get to travel for about 50 euros return, otherwise use other trains like above mentioned.
Happy travels
Macedonian

P.S if you need any info on Aachen and Maastricht please send me e-mail.At the moment I live in Acchen-Maastricht area.