Yet another Interrail query

[Leslie Fletcher]

Can Interrail passes be used on the Eurostar/Thalys direct trains between Brussels and Dusseldorf, subject to the necessary seat reservations? If so, how do I make the reservations? My go-to site at SNCB responds with an error message and I can’t find how to just make a seat reservation at SNCF.

Seat reservations for holders of Interrail passes appear to be available between Paris and Dusseldorf on the particular train I wish to use between Brussels and Dusseldorf. The price is reasonable for the whole journey as these things go but I wouldn’t want to pay so much for my shorter journey.

 

[signed]

Can Interrail passes be used on the Eurostar/Thalys direct trains between Brussels and Dusseldorf, subject to the necessary seat reservations?

Yes

If so, how do I make the reservations? My go-to site at SNCB responds with an error message and I can’t find how to just make a seat reservation at SNCF.

You can't on SNCF Connect itself, the best way (for Interrail as a whole) is RailEurope

 

[NCT]

Are you particularly time sensitive that you have to use the Thalys between Brussels and Dusseldorf, or you just want to experience Thalys?

If neither of the above, I'd always go with the ICE Brussels - Cologne operating in alternate hours to the Thalys. There's no reservation required on that service.

 

[rvdborgt]

The best website for Eurostar pass reservations currently IMO is raileurope.com: no extra booking fees.
Many pass reservation questions are answered in Seat61's overview.

 

[Leslie Fletcher]

Are you particularly time sensitive that you have to use the Thalys between Brussels and Dusseldorf, or you just want to experience Thalys?

If neither of the above, I'd always go with the ICE Brussels - Cologne operating in alternate hours to the Thalys. There's no reservation required on that service.

I am, as you put it, particularly time sensitive on this occasion.

I am familiar with and have used the ICE alternative to continue my journey from London and usually put up with the two hour wait. When my wife and I did this journey a few weeks ago we weren't even down on the concourse by the time the ICE train left but we are quite elderly!

In my experience the advice offered by Seat61.com is unduly optimistic, but re-reading it just now, I have never tried "blagging my way" onto the Eurostar/Thalys train on the basis of a "missed" ICE connection. I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has succeeded in doing this.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jul 2025 ==

The best website for Eurostar pass reservations currently IMO is raileurope.com: no extra booking fees.
Many pass reservation questions are answered in Seat61's overview.

RailEurope says that Interrail passes are not valid on the Brussels -> Dusseldorf direct trains, contrary to member "signed"response above. It is a bit mysterious as some seat booking sites, the usually reliable SNCB site for example, don't seem to know about these trains or, at least the Brussels <-> Dusseldorf leg of their journey.

 

[NCT]

Has Thalys withdrawn from Interrail participation? When I was searching for Brussels - Antwerp in my Interrail app last week the Thalys came up as 'not in pass network'.

 

[signed]

Eurostar seems to insinuate you must call or visit a ticket office for the Red routes passholder fares. That is further evidenced by the absence of the Interrail reservation portal link that is on the London link

But it's unequivocally valid as per the same page

Eurail and InterRail Pass | Eurostar

The Eurail and Interrail passes allow you to travel on all Eurostar routes. Check out how to book depending on where you want to travel.

www.eurostar.com

You can purchase these fares at the international counters of an NS, SNCF or SNCB station or via the telephone at +33 8 25 84 25 97.

 

[rvdborgt]

Has Thalys withdrawn from Interrail participation? When I was searching for Brussels - Antwerp in my Interrail app last week the Thalys came up as 'not in pass network'.

They haven't, but they don't sell tickets or reservations anymore for domestic journeys. And since reservations are required, this means you can't use them for domestic journeys.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jul 2025 ==

RailEurope says that Interrail passes are not valid on the Brussels -> Dusseldorf direct trains, contrary to member "signed"response above. It is a bit mysterious as some seat booking sites, the usually reliable SNCB site for example, don't seem to know about these trains or, at least the Brussels <-> Dusseldorf leg of their journey.

There's a pass holder quota on all Eurostar trains. When pass holder fares are not available anymore, Rail Europe will say "Rail Pass doesn't apply for this trip (more info)" and will show the regular available fare. Please note it doesn't say "not valid on the Brussels-Dusseldorf direct trains" but rather that your pass doesn't apply to the particular trip you're looking at.
B-Europe won't show the train at all if there are no pass holder fares available.