ParisByTrain.com

[elle]

I will be arriving at CDG Terminal 2 on Sunday early morning, hopefully taking an RER to Gare du Nord, and then Thalys train to Brussels at noon. I will be going in the opposite direction a week later (also on Sunday) arriving at 10:00 am from Brussels to Gare du Nord and taking RER to CDG. As far as RER goes, I think I figured it out, thanks to your website (buy the 8.40 Euro ticket at the ticket counter since i don't have the smart chip card and probably won't have coins yet, and go till Gare du Nord). Is Gare du Nord really the first train station after CDG? It doesn't look like it on the RER map with multiple stops shown. And another question I have - how do I go about collecting my Thalys tickets at Gare du Nord, I have a confirmation code sent to me by email? Can I do it at one of the machines or do I have to wait in line at the ticket counter?

[ben]

Gare du Nord is the first station after CDG 1 train station ** if you're on an express train ** which makes no stops in between Gare du Nord and CDG Airport. Otherwise, the RER B will make several stops in between the two. There are generally 1 express RER B for every two normal RER B trains.

If you have a smart-chip credit card (i.e. you use a PIN number each time you use it), then you can use the automated ticket vending machines specific to Thalys for retrieving your tickets. Otherwise, you should visit a ticket counter and they'll be able to help you. Remember to keep your Booking Reference handy (a print out of your confirmation would be good).

Best of luck!

Ben

[elle]

Thanks, Ben! I will do that! I'm told I am traveling ticketless. Thalys website tells me that all I need is to present my card to the Ticketmaster, but I don't have the card yet. So I hope the confirmation email they sent me works.
Thanks on the clarification of the Gare du Nord on express train.

[ben]

Hi Elle,

Just out of curiousity, what is the card you're mentioning? Is it something that Thalys is sending you?

Ben

[elle]

presumably, lol
From Thalys site:
When you purchase your ticket online your trip is automatically linked to your Ticketless Card. When you travel, all you have to do is present your Ticketless Card to the Train Manager. It’s that simple!
But I am hoping that someone at the ticket counter will not be completely annoyed and will help me out. I have the confirmation number that I got from them in an email. So now hoping it would work...

[elle]

Ben,
I want to thank you for making this great website! The page on Gare du Nord was very informative and I had no problem finding my way around the station and onto the trains at all because it felt like I have seen it all before Thanks again!

[ben]

I'm happy to hear that the photos of Gare du Nord helped out. Pictures say a thousand words and they definitely do help to get your bearings.

Best regards,

Ben