13
votes
Accepted
Is RailTeam's HOTNAT guarantee generally honoured in practice?
There is a special stamp to prove you're entitled to hop on the next available train:
The text in the upper bubble roughly means, 'The HOTNAT stamp indicates approval for using THA'. The image is ...
- 924
10
votes
Accepted
When going by a train from Paris to Düsseldorf (Thalys), can I hop off in Köln and then hop on again?
Thalys is a special case, other trains between France and Germany are usable with a regular German ticket - e.g. TGV are treated exactly the same as ICE as long as you're not leaving Germany (and vice ...
- 3,354
9
votes
When going by a train from Paris to Düsseldorf (Thalys), can I hop off in Köln and then hop on again?
You will need a separate ticket for the RE. Thalys and Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) are different companies and you cannot use a Thalys ticket for RE.
- 6,976
8
votes
Is RailTeam's HOTNAT guarantee generally honoured in practice?
I discovered the wonderful HOTNAT in July when my Eurostar train to Paris was delayed just outside St Pancras, and it was clear I would not then get across Paris in time to catch my booked TGV to ...
- 81
6
votes
Accepted
Where can I purchase Thalys tickets without using its website?
Besides the Thalys website, other options for buying Thalys tickets include:
NS (Netherlands): http://www.nsinternational.nl/
NMBS (Belgium): http://www.b-europe.com/
SNCF (France): http://www....
- 2,379
6
votes
Second hand train tickets - France / Thalys
Trocdetrains is the best website for secondhand Thalys tickets. It's only in French, though. Tickets can't be sold for more than the original price paid by the seller.
Thalys officially requires an ...
- 61
5
votes
What does "Your ticket gate closes 30 minutes before departure" mean on a Thalys ticket?
I can confirm that despite the misleading wording on the ticket, there is no "gate" at Rotterdam, and the only notable step required was to scan in the ticket before boarding.
So, as of February ...
- 1,753
5
votes
Do I need to arrive at the station early for a Thalys / Eurostar train for Amsterdam > Brussels > London?
An update after the trip: things went as described in the accepted answer. The Thalys from Amsterdam was a normal Thalys with no controlled gate. In fact, it ended up delayed 30 minutes, arriving in ...
- 213
5
votes
Accepted
Do I need to arrive at the station early for a Thalys / Eurostar train for Amsterdam > Brussels > London?
Just like when you have a direct Amsterdam to London Eurostar train, the check in closes 30 minutes before the train leaving Brussels.
The Thalys trains and Eurostar trains use the same part of the ...
- 62.6k
5
votes
What does "Your ticket gate closes 30 minutes before departure" mean on a Thalys ticket?
Currently there is no direct Eurostar from Rotterdam to London. You need to get off the train and go through security at Brussels, so I suspect that's what the 30 minutes is referring to. Boarding at ...
- 3,356
4
votes
Is RailTeam's HOTNAT guarantee generally honoured in practice?
I used the "hop in the next train" guarantee and here is what I advise: if you have time, go to the counter in the station with your stamped ticket. They will issue a new train ticket for ...
- 41
3
votes
Accepted
Can I use the Thalys lounge at Bruxelles Midi with a DB first-class ticket?
Thalys homepage says that:
You have access to the Thalys Lounges for a pleasant experience
before or after your journey.
As I understand this, you cannot use your DB ticket to access the lounge. ...
- 14.7k
3
votes
AIRRAIL Thalys KLM - an earlier train or different train?
One purpose of the check-in is to get a document or code allowing you to board the plane. Even if it is paperless, it's still a distinct step for most airlines. It is often possible to do it online ...
- 113k
3
votes
What does "Your ticket gate closes 30 minutes before departure" mean on a Thalys ticket?
Yes, the text appears to be boilerplate added to each part of the ticket. In Rotterdam, Thalys works like a regular train, there is no special check of any kind, whether luggage inspection or check-in ...
- 113k
2
votes
Accepted
KLM with train segment from Schiphol to Brussels - take later Thalys train
If you have no delays, in landing or in getting out of the airport, you should have plenty time enough. The railway station is part of the airport building with the platforms under the floor of the ...
- 62.6k
2
votes
Where can I purchase Thalys tickets without using its website?
neat. Thalys tweeted this question and pointed to www.raileurope.com. which even has better prices then their own website or ticket counters. Do they own that site and upsell on other channels? Or ...
- 275
2
votes
Can I skip my train leg booked with a KLM flight?
My family had a round flight Mexico City to Brussels with stopover in Amsterdam(Schiphol) and train(Thalys) from there to Brussels-Midi. They skipped the train from Amsterdam to Brussels but on the ...
- 21
1
vote
Where can I purchase Thalys tickets without using its website?
Another one is trainline.eu
I just checked and it allows to buy Thalys tickets (for a strange astral combination, 1st class was cheaper than 2nd....)
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated. I used it once.
- 4,920
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible