Updated on December 8, 2022 by pierre

How to get from Paris to Brussels by cheap train?

Are you going to Brussels and would like to reduce your transport budget? This post will interest you! Belgian friends, rest assured, this post that tells you how to travel cheap between Paris and Brussels by train, is valid in both directions, so to Paris.

Everyone knows the famous “Thalys” red train. The latter makes Brussels-Paris in 1H25. Mainly, in order to satisfy businessmen who travel between the two capitals, Thalys offers more than 20 trains per day. However, last minute tickets are not always cheap.

To meet the demand of the many disappointed travelers who could not afford to take the Thalys – because it was quite expensive – the low-cost train offer Izy was born in 2016. It is in fact the little brother of the Thalys, the IZY Train green train, launched by the same company. You understood, who says low-cost says cheap!

IZY trains are acceptable for most travelers who watch their wallets a bit. The train takes 2h15 to make this Brussels-Paris route. That's barely less than an hour more. This is due to the fact that the train takes the classic rail route instead of the TGV line.

It is mainly thanks to this small detail that the prices are unbeatable. Be careful, however, look at what type of seat you are buying. The cheapest tickets (sometimes around 15 euros) are in folding seats. This is'a foldable seat between the wagons. Do not reserve this seat for a pregnant woman, person with reduced mobility or the elderly! You also have the option of reserving a “non-guaranteed” seat. You can only sit there if there is space.

In terms of domestic services, given the low ticket price,  Izy focuses on the minimum and the basic. There will therefore be, for example, no mini-bar inside the trains.

Last detail to check, the “additional baggage option” and the “transportation of your pet”. These two options are chargeable. This is because you are allowed to take one cabin trip and one piece of hand luggage. However, if you have a large suitcase, you will have to pay extra.

At the destination stations, everything is fine. You will arrive in the main stations, identical to that of Thalys France (Paris Gare du Nord), Belgium (Brussels Midi).

Opinion and test of the cheap train Paris-Brussels: Izi

A Youtuber tested the low-cost train between Brussels and Paris. Here is his opinion which summarizes the journey and service on board.

If you arrive in Brussels take the opportunity to consult our great Brussels tour program! This is an itinerary for visiting Brussels on foot and seeing as much as possible with a minimum budget. Also, we have listed the free museums, the best fries, happy hour and also places to eat cheap in Brussels. 

We have plenty of other tips, don't hesitate to browse the blog!