Less than 1 hour and 30 minutes from Paris, Belgium offers everything you need for a train trip: a dense rail network, historic cities close to one another, and a strong identity centered around beer, fries, and Art Nouveau. That makes it easy to visit several cities in a single trip without ever having to get behind the wheel.
From Paris Gare du Nord, the Eurostar (formerly Thalys) provides direct service to Brussels-Midi in about 1 hour and 22 minutes, with about 20 trains per day.
A more economical alternative has also been available since late 2024: the OUIGO Classic Train connects Paris to Brussels-Midi (with stops in Aulnoye-Aymeries and Mons) in about 3 hours, with tickets starting at 10€.
Article
Paris-Brussels: a new train for only 10 euros
From Lille, the trip is even faster: just 35 minutes on a direct TGV INOUI or Eurostar train, with about 15 trains a day. It is by far the most convenient departure point for residents of the North.
From Lyon, a direct TGV INOUI train reaches Brussels-Midi in about 3 hours and 40 minutes to 3 hours and 55 minutes, with several nonstop trips each day (stopping at Paris Gare de Lyon, Paris-Nord, and Lille Europe).
From Strasbourg, two direct TGV trains run daily, connecting to Brussels in 3 hours and 40 minutes to 4 hours—an east-west route that avoids passing through Paris.
Next, from Brussels-Midi, about a 20-minute walk from the Grand-Place, the Belgian domestic rail network (SNCB) makes it easy to reach every corner of the country: Bruges is about an hour away by train, Ghent less than 30 minutes, and Antwerp 45–50 minutes, with dozens of direct trains running daily on each of these lines.
To Brussels, it all starts at the Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by magnificent buildings such as City Hall, before heading to the Atomium, a symbol of the 1958 World’s Fair, or strolling through popular markets like the one at Jeu de Balle.
To Bruges, it’s the canals and the perfectly preserved medieval houses that make the trip worthwhile: the Flemish city, a three-time UNESCO World Heritage Site, can be explored on foot or by boat, with a breathtaking view from its belfry.
Ghent, just a little further on, has a more authentic, less touristy charm, thanks to its historic center on the banks of the Lys, its Counts’ Castle, and its lively student atmosphere.
Finally, Antwerp appeals to fashion and art lovers: its train station, considered one of the most beautiful in the world, sets the tone for a city best explored on foot or by bike, with its major fashion houses and historic district along the Scheldt River.
appCreate your train trip step by step and quickly find the best no-flight options.
