Paris has Francini’s La Fontaine Medicis. Brussels has Duquesnoy’s Mannekin Pis.
Both are iconic outdoor fixtures of each capital city; and both were created in the 1600s.
But only one features a naked child peeing into a fountain.
Call us childish, but we believe that strolling through sculptures in Paris’s Jardin du Luxembourg is just as fun as seeking out the Manneken Pis, Jeanneke-Pis, and Zinneke Pis statues in Brussels.
Public art speaks to both the history of a place and the pride of its people. Taking a day trip from Paris to Brussels by train is a great way to get a breath of fresh air while viewing outdoor artwork. Here’s what you need to know about the quick train trip to Brussels from Paris.
Image Credit: Getty Images, N.BELLEGARDE. Image Location: Brussels, Belgium
At a glance: Paris to Brussels
- Paris’s station: Gare du Nord
- Brussels’s station: Brussels South (aka Brussel-Zuid/Bruxelles-Midi)
- How far is Gare du Nord to Brussels South by train: 164 miles
- Fastest duration for high-speed trains: 1h 22m
- Average duration for general trains: 1h 26m
- Number of trains per day: 22
- Ticket prices: As low as $32.73 when you book in advance
- Earliest departure: 06:21 AM
- Latest departure: 21:24 PM
Is a day trip to Brussels from Paris worth it?
A day trip to Brussels from Paris is worth it for nearly every type of traveler. Foodies can eat at Café de Flore Paris for lunch and take a Belgian chocolate making class for dessert. Couples can get the dreamy Eiffel Tower visit and enhance the romance with an overnight stay at Brussels Grand-Place. Even budget travelers, whether with backpacks or diaper bags, can explore both cities without breaking the bank on a fulfilling day trip.
How far is Brussels from Paris by train?
Brussels is 164 miles from Paris by train, which is just around the corner by train standards. The distance between these two capital cities is even smaller thanks to the direct Eurostar train routes which means no need to fuss about making your connection on time or lugging your luggage around on a layover.
How long is the journey from Paris to Brussels by train?
The journey from Paris to Brussels by train usually takes 90 minutes. Compared to other capital cities, the connection between Brussels and Paris via train is one of the quickest. A 3-hour roundtrip is speedy enough; but if you take a minute to look at the Paris metro and Brussels subway lines, you’ll realize that navigating either city in a single day is a piece of gâteau.
Image Credit: Getty Images, M Fatih Beser. Image Location: Brussels, Belgium
How often is the train from Paris to Brussels?
Trains run from Paris to Brussels 22 times per day, split over 17 hours. Routes are available from Eurostar, SNCF, and SNCB train carriers. Let’s just do some rough rounding and say there’s one train per hour; if you wait until the last-minute to buy tickets, you’ll either have to pay more money for the train you want, or you’ll have to disrupt your schedule to catch a train in a cheaper time slot.
Do your vacation a favor and make sure you download the Trainline app before you get to Europe so you can purchase tickets for the exact Paris to Brussels train time you want for the lowest price available.
How much is a train ticket from Paris to Brussels?
Train tickets from Paris to Brussels start as low as $32.73. Traveling between two fantastic European cities, in two of the tastiest European countries, for the same price that most flights charge for a checked bag? That’s a steal in our book (especially since Eurostar trains have no luggage weight limit, plus allow two pieces of luggage and one handbag before even thinking about charging for baggage).
Which train station is best from Paris to Brussels?
The Paris Gare du Nord train station is also the Eurostar station, running high-speed direct trains to Brussels Midi train station. These are the two best train stations to use, but they’re far from the other train stations in either city. Brussels Central, for example, is in the heart of the historic center, and Bercy train station is closest to Accor Arena in Paris. Knowing which major train and subway stations connect to Gare du Nord and Brussels Midi will help you get to the sites you want to see with ease.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Allan Baxter. Image Location: Brussels-South Station, Brussels, Belgium
Do I need to check in for Eurostar?
Yes, you need to check in for your Eurostar train between Paris and Brussels. It’s super simple: you go to the Eurostar check-in gates, scan your ticket, go through a passport check, then go to your platform. At Paris Gare du Nord, the check-in gates are on the second floor while the check-in gates for Brussels Midi are next to Platform 5. Remember, most train class tickets require you to check-in at least 30 minutes before departure (at least 15 minutes for Eurostar Business Premier passengers).
How do you get from Paris to Brussels to Amsterdam?
Getting from Paris to Brussels to Amsterdam via train is very straightforward. Take the Paris to Brussels Eurostar train from Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi. You can then take a Eurostar train from Brussels Midi to Amsterdam Centraal train station. Remember that to stopover in Brussels, you’ll need two separate train tickets; you can’t purchase a Eurostar Paris to Amsterdam ticket, hop off in Brussels, and jump back on the train to Amsterdam with the same train ticket.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Brussels, Belgium
