Train travel has never been as trendy as it is right now, particularly in Europe, where new routes launch left, right, and center. However, as scenic and romantic as a railway journey may be, it’s not always affordable.
One such example is trains between Paris and Brussels, two sisterly capitals that the Eurostar serves, and despite the relatively short distance, can see train tickets between them rise to as much as $125 one-way.
That’s a lot of money for a one-and-a-half-ride, especially when you can go much further, as far east as Berlin, for much cheaper.
After years of excessively expensive fares, we’re glad to report the two French-speaking cities will now be linked by a low-cost, direct train for only $10:
Paris To Brussels For Cheaper Than A Breakfast Menu
As of December 19, you can travel from Paris to Brussels for less than the price of a breakfast menu in downtown Paris, thanks to the new OUIGO Train Classique line bridging the gap between the two capitals.
You’re probably wondering ‘well, this is only the starting price, surely on most days it’s a lot more expensive than that’, and we’re glad to report that, in actuality, most travel dates are on the cheaper end, with some of the priciest tickets reaching only $36.
That’s it.
Still pretty cheap.
3 Departures Per Day On Both Directions
There are three departures per day, with trains leaving Paris (Gare du Nord) at 8:18 a.m., 12:28 p.m., and 7:15 p.m., and arriving in Brussels (Midi) at 11:21 a.m., 3:21 p.m., and 10:21 p.m.
From Brussels, departures to Paris-Gare du Nord are set for 7:39 a.m. (arriving at 10:35 a.m.), 1:38 p.m. (arriving at 4:44 p.m.), and finally 6:38 p.m. (arriving at 9:35 p.m.)
Naturally, cheap comes at a cost, which, in our opinion, is still worth paying: don’t expect the high-speed WiFi you get at the Eurostar (there might not even be WiFi at all), nor the journey to be as fast:
While the Eurostar that has historically linked Paris to Brussels takes only 1h22 to complete the journey, with no stops, the new OUIGO trains will do so in over 3 hours, with stops in Creil, Aulnoye-Aymeries, and Mons.
Well, no biggie, unless you’re planning on visiting Brussels from Paris or Paris from Brussels as a day trip.
In that case, we’d suggest you take the fastest, considerably more expensive train.
Why Visit Brussels?
We guess Paris needs no intro.
Even if you don’t know an awful lot about it, other than the fact it plays host to a shimmery Eiffel Tower and a postcardy Montmartre district, it’s one of those places you’ll instantly recognize from films and travel guides you grew up watching and reading.
What about Brussels, though?
The capital of Belgium is certainly no hidden gem of Europe––in fact, it plays host to numerous European institutions––but compared to its French counterpart, it is most definitely overlooked.
Medieval Sights & Quirky Statues
If you love medieval sights, however, Brussels might just steal your heart, starting with the stately Grand Place, a huge central square flanked with ornate guildhalls, and the alleyway-traversed, colorful historic center that surrounds it.
Don’t miss the St. Michael & St. Gudula Cathedral, Brussels’ answer to the Parisian Notre Dame, and an equally beautiful Gothic marvel dating back to the Middle Ages, boasting soaring vaulted ceilings and a vast collection of sacral art.
If you want to see something a little quirky, the Pissing Boy Statue, or Manneken Pis is an absolute must, and chances are you’ll never see the same statue twice: they’re always dressing it in over 1,000 peculiar outfits throughout the year.
For something even quirkier, and to some even slightly unsettling, check out the Secret Pissing Girl statue, or Jeanneke Pis, Brussels’ pride and joy, or greatest shame, depending on how you look at it.
Away from the city center, the Atomium is both a science center and a viewing deck overlooking the Brussels suburbs that makes for a unique photo op, and if you’re looking to combine both unwinding with some sightseeing, the landmark-dotted Parc du Cinquantenaire is where it’s at.
You Can Even A Chocolate Museum!
This is a city known for its rich culinary traditions, especially within the realm of chocolate-making, and no visit is complete without a tour of Choco-Story Brussels, where the history of chocolate is documented, and you even get to top it off with some sampling.
For the best, crispiest Belgian fries in town, look no further than Friterie de la Barrière, and as for waffles, grab any from the little trucks parked around the Grand Place on a particularly busy shopping day, and you won’t be disappointed.
Staying in Brussels overnight?
Hôtel Aqua by HappyCulture is the best-value pick this season, with rooms starting at $80 and within a 20-minute walk to Grand Place, the city’s beating heart.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.