How to take a train journey from Paris to Gent/Ghent

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Paris to Gent / Ghent / Gand by train

There are two options for taking the train from Paris to Gent/Ghent:

  1. Making only one connection between trains at Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid station
  2. A longer, but usually cheaper route via Lille

Routes you can take to go from Paris to Gent / Ghent / Gand

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:
Looking for connections?

Route Information

Via stations: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel Zuid and Bruxelles-Central/Brussel-Centraal

Option 1: the faster and simpler route via Brussels
Travel Time (approx)

2hr 10min (via Bruxelles)

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

**Change trains in: Bruxelles

1 x connection per hour**

This routing via Bruxelles/Brussels is the fastest and easiest option for train journeys between Paris and Brugge/Bruges; compared to the alternative route via Lille.

Though that 2hr 10min journey time is dependent on making a transfer between trains in Bruxelles/Brussels in under 20 mins.

Don't be too concerned about making the connection because your ticket will be valid on any train between Bruxelles/Brussels and Gent/Ghent; and there are 2 - 3 express (IC) trains per hour between the two cities.

Reservations aren't available on the trains between Bruxelles and Gent/Ghent.

Route Information

Via stations: Lille Flandres

Option 2: Travelling via Lille can be cheaper, particularly if you will be using a rail pass
Travel Time (approx)

2hr 37min (via Lille)

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

up to 13 x connections per day.

This routing via Lille is longer than travelling from Paris to Gent/Ghent to train via Bruxelles, but it can be around 50% cheaper.

If you will be travelling with a Eurail or an Interrail Pass, you will definitely be saving as the rail pass reservation fees are cheaper on the TGV trains to Lille, than on the Thalys trains to Bruxelles

The connecting time between trains at Lille Flandres station will be usually be around 20 mins.
If the train from Paris arrives too late to make this connection, tickets will be valid on a later train, seats can't be reserved on the trains between Lille and Gent/Ghent,
There is 1 x train per hour between Lille and Gent/Ghent/Gand*

*Gand and not Gent will be shown on the electronic departure information at Lille Flandres station.
At Lille Flandres station look for the train heading to Anvers.

It's a good idea to look up the location of your final destination in Gent/Ghent before booking the alternative routing via Bruxelles.

These trains from Lille to Gent/Gent also call at [Gent-Dampoort station]https://goo.gl/maps/kDJ9ADohRai426VK6) after they have called at Gent-Sint Pieters station.
Gent-Dampoort is closer to the city centre than Gent-Sint Pieters station and the trains from Bruxelles only call at Gent-Sint Pieters.

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