Page 1 of 2
Travelling to Paris from Amsterdam on Thalys
Posted: Sun 22nd Mar 2009 01:38 am
by Ignatius
Does anyone have any advise or tips regarding travel from Amsterdam to Paris? Our plan is to buy tickets through Thalys for the 4 hour trip probably first class to enjoy more room and internet connection and the Mrs. would like better food as well.
Has anyone taken this route before? I only found one other post regarding travel to Paris saying it was maybe too risky to try and bring a couple joints or grams to enjoy while there. It would be nice to have some smoke but not if it is too much of a risk.
Thanks in advance for any info
Posted: Sun 22nd Mar 2009 01:53 am
by chilly1952
I'm planning a trip with the wife this June to do the same. Was wondering the same about bringing a little smoke.
Posted: Sun 22nd Mar 2009 03:59 am
by geoffk
I took this route last trip. Didn't bring anything, and didn't see much security off the train. There exists a method of cheaper train tix, I believe it calls for pretending you live in a European country. You can still get the tix delivered to your home. Google this. I've got to here:
http://bit.ly/4l1SJ
Posted: Tue 7th Apr 2009 07:38 pm
by Bifton
Another useful site can be found at:
http://www.seat61.com/Netherlands.htm
Posted: Wed 15th Apr 2009 02:53 pm
by codejd
i have taken this route several times over the past few years. i find the Thalys generally to be very comfortable but yes, for this long of a ride i strongly suggest the 1st class ticket. the seat is better, you usually get a free snack or meal along with great service and while traveling TO Paris, you can pre-reserve a taxi which doesn't sound like much, but believe me one time standing in that fucking line will wreck your spirits.
in regards to carrying; i have never had any problem whatsoever. i have traveled with pipes, bongs and up to 1oz. of stuff at any given time...
Posted: Sun 6th Jun 2010 03:35 pm
by smokestaxlitenin
so, whats the verdict....ok to carry on the train a few grams??...leaving in 3 weeks for paris and need my trichrome fix!!!!!
Posted: Sun 6th Jun 2010 03:36 pm
by smokestaxlitenin
codedj...how did you prebook the taxi???
Posted: Sun 6th Jun 2010 06:13 pm
by Marco
I would no do it, for sure. I am a bit of a Wendy Whiner on the topic, but I am a French passport holder and have dealt with French cops. They do check the trains and they are not cool with foreigners with weed for the most part. Fine, ruined day, even deportation possible.
Unless you have absolutely no game, it is not that hard to score in Paris.
Posted: Sun 6th Jun 2010 06:14 pm
by Marco
codejd wrote:i have taken this route several times over the past few years. i find the Thalys generally to be very comfortable but yes, for this long of a ride i strongly suggest the 1st class ticket. the seat is better, you usually get a free snack or meal along with great service and while traveling TO Paris, you can pre-reserve a taxi which doesn't sound like much, but believe me one time standing in that fucking line will wreck your spirits.
in regards to carrying; i have never had any problem whatsoever. i have traveled with pipes, bongs and up to 1oz. of stuff at any given time...
ouch, an oz. would have been seriously problematic if they found it. Be careful
Posted: Sun 6th Jun 2010 06:47 pm
by SweetLeaf
Yea I took this trip from AMS to paris and when we got into the terminal area there were cops w/ dogs. I do not recommend bringing anything along.
Posted: Mon 7th Jun 2010 01:53 pm
by Willjay
Rode the Taylas two times, the first was in 1998 and it was a first class expericance. The second time was in 2009 and it was a shdow of it's former self, I was verry disapointed. As far as carrying anything into France I would not.
Posted: Mon 7th Jun 2010 02:24 pm
by Panog
Yeah I'm french, and french cop are serious pain in the ass.
Scoring in Paris is not difficult, but try to find hash, it will be cheaper and better than weed. (about 4/5e/g for hash in Paris, 8/10e/g for weed)
Posted: Wed 9th Jun 2010 04:19 am
by Ignatius
Though I only brought a slice of cake the two times I have taken this trip there were police once but I believe they were bomb sniffing dogs. I was thinking of bringing a little something next time but nothing close to an ounce. After reading some of the responses I might not now.
If in first class they will pass around forms to have a taxi waiting and avoid the taxi queue. We opted no to as there was a 13 euro or more surcharge but if you don't like lines it might be worth it to you. Not sure if the same service is offered in 2 nd class but I would imagine it is.
Posted: Wed 9th Jun 2010 09:42 am
by Marco
No offense to anyone, but it amazes me why otherwise normal people think that there aren't consequences to drug smuggling in Europe (because no matter what we think weed is, it is still a drug in France). Especially as a tourist, with little command of the language. You are asking for trouble.
Also, while I understand those who did it without getting caught are happy o tell their story, I think we can all agree that those who got caught probably do not post about it on the net.
I used to take the train to Paris from various places in Europe (including Amsterdam) fairly regularly for work, and I saw drug dogs many times. I also got ID checked by undercovers a few times.
I was able to talk my way out of a bust in Paris one time, but only because I spoke French and was incredibly respectful. It could really ruin your trip folks!
carrying
Posted: Wed 9th Jun 2010 02:11 pm
by bigbob
I made the trip in '06 and, of course, was carrying. What do you look like? I'm a middle-aged teacher. Nobody bothered me. But the stoner who was staggering through the train got his luggage searched while they (plain-clothes cops) sat on him in the aisle.
Toke on!
bigbob