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On October 1, 2023, Eurostar and Thalys joined forces under the Eurostar name. Thalys' red trains, travel classes and routes are still the same, but from now on every Thalys train will carry the Eurostar name and logo.

If you're a member of the loyalty scheme My Thalys World, don't worry - you'll keep your points and be invited to join Club Eurostar.

➡️ Head to our dedicated Eurostar page for more information.

If you’re after Thalys First Class tickets, look no further. As operators of modern, high-speed trains that connect France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, you can expect the best from Thalys, and they actually offer three different classes onboard their services – Standard, Comfort, and Thalys Premium (aka First Class).

At Trainline, we’ll show you what exactly is on offer, from luxurious seats to complimentary meals and much more. Don’t be put off by the thought of paying more than you would in Standard either, as there are ways to find cheap First Class train tickets too! Read on for a complete guide to travelling First Class with Thalys.

What do you get in First Class on Thalys trains?

Whether you’re heading to Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, or Cologne, if you want to travel there in style, Thalys Premium is the one for you. To simplify the three classes Thalys offer on their trains, we’ve broken down the amenities that each one offers.

First Class vs Second Class on Thalys trains

 

Standard Class

Comfort Class

Thalys Premium

Luggage storage

Power sockets

Extra comfort seats

X

At-seat meals

X

X

Faster WiFi

X

X

Access to First Class lounges

X

X

 

Find out more about First v Second Class on European trains.

Thalys First Class food

Thalys offer a complimentary at-seat food and drink service on their international routes, meaning you can arrive at your destination full of energy and ready to go.

 

At-seat dining is offered during breakfast, lunch, and dinner on any international journey over 50 minutes. You can enjoy a seasonal menu of local dishes designed by Belgian chef Frank Fol. If you’re travelling in between mealtimes fear not, you can help yourself to a hot or cold drink and snack from the onboard Café Gourmet bar.

 

 

Thalys First Class lounges

Thalys have a number of First Class lounges in France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands that you can relax in before and after your train journey with a Premium ticket. Use these modern, comfortable spaces for work, enjoying a hot drink or just chilling out, with TVs, WiFi and phone charges available in all.

Thalys First Class lounges can be found at the following stations:

Lounges owned by other operators you also get access to:

Thalys First Class seating plan

You’ll normally find one or two First Class carriages on Thalys trains, depending on the time of the week (more First Class/Premium seats are sometimes offered during the week).

The seats are more spaced out than in Standard Class, although they follow the same arrangement on either sitting at a table of four or two seats next to each other. The extra option in First Class are single seats with their own table, perfect for solo travellers who want their own space, or single seats facing each other, as an additional option for two people travelling together.

Popular First Class routes

Check out our guides to travelling Premium Class on some of Thalys' most popular routes.

Paris to Amsterdam

Departs from

Paris Gare du Nord

Arrives into

Amsterdam Centraal

Fastest time

3h 20m

First Class lounge

Paris and Amsterdam

 

Find out more about travelling from Paris to Amsterdam by train.

Amsterdam to Paris

Departs from

Amsterdam Centraal

Arrives into

Paris Gare du Nord

Fastest time

3h 28m

First Class lounge

Amsterdam and Paris

 

Find out more about taking the train from Amsterdam to Paris.

Brussels to Cologne

Departs from

Brussels Nord

Arrives into

Cologne Hbf

Fastest time

1h 52m

First Class lounge

Brussels and Cologne

 

Learn more about travelling by train from Brussels to Cologne.

How to get cheap Thalys First Class tickets

There are different ways you can get cheap Thalys Premium train tickets without having to pay over the odds. Our top tips for saving money on First Class train tickets are:

Buy in advance

Thalys tickets (and train tickets in Europe in general) are usually at their cheapest price when they first go on sale, normally around three to six months before the date of travel.

Travel Off-Peak

Train tickets tend to be more expensive during rush hour (mornings and early evenings Monday to Friday). If you can, be sure to look for tickets outside of these times to see if you can snap up a lower price.

Look out for train deals

There’s a wide range of train deals and discounts in Europe that can help you save money on your journey. Deals can vary based on the country and train company, but if you’re travelling with children, in a group, or fall into a certain age category, you can benefit from discounted ticket prices.

Good to know (FAQs)

What is included in Thalys First Class?

As well as more spacious and comfortable seating, Premium tickets on Thalys trains include lounge access at the station (where available) and complimentary food and drinks during your journey.

Are food and drinks included when you travel First Class with Thalys?

Yes. All passengers travelling Premium with Thalys will get complimentary food and drinks served to their seats, or from the bar, depending on the length of their journey.

Do I get access to Thalys’ First Class lounge?

You can use Thalys’ First Class lounge if you hold a valid Premium train ticket and there’s a lounge available at either your departure or arrival station.

Find out more about Thalys and travel in Europe

So, now you know all about what Thalys’ First Class option – Premium – has to offer, whether you’re ready to book, or want to find out more about train travel in Europe, we’re here to help.

Start a search for tickets in our Journey Planner at the top of the page or check out some of our guides to travelling with Thalys, where they can take you, and train travel around Europe in general.

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