Thalys

Thalys was a European high-speed rail brand that connected France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, especially on the Paris–Brussels corridor.

Thalys was a European high-speed rail brand that connected France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, with its core route between Paris and Brussels. The brand was created in 1995 and began passenger operations in 1996, serving as a major international rail service in north-western Europe. In 2023, Thalys was rebranded as part of the Eurostar Group, with its services operating under the Eurostar name.

History

Thalys emerged from plans first formalised in 1987 for an international high-speed rail network linking Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam. The Thalys name was created in 1995, and services began in 1996.

Routes and service area

Thalys trains mainly served France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. The network was centred on Paris and Brussels, with routes also reaching Amsterdam, Cologne, Düsseldorf and seasonal destinations.

Corporate changes

Thalys was later integrated into the Eurostar Group. From April 2022 to September 2023, Thalys services were operated by the Eurostar Group. Since 29 September 2023, Thalys services have operated under the Eurostar name, and the Thalys brand was discontinued.

Brand legacy

Thalys became a well-known name for cross-border high-speed rail in Western Europe. Its trains, route structure and service pattern continued under the Eurostar brand after the rebranding. The red Thalys trains were sometimes referred to as Eurostar Red after rebranding.