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Any veteran Fedex mid-trip dev's care to share the "gouge" on getting from the airport (CDG) via first class train to the terminal in Cologne, it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance. DC

Any veteran Fedex mid-trip dev's care to share the "gouge" on getting from the airport (CDG) via first class train to the terminal in Cologne, it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance. DC

pretty easy, if you are on a Paris downtown layover then just take the subway or a cab to Paris Nord station and the train line is Thalys. I suggest buying your ticket in advance, sometimes the hotel concierge can purchase the ticket for you. About 4 hours en route and you can cab it or just walk to the hotel in Koln.

Watch your bags on the journey and last time I did this the ticket was about 165 EU.

google is your friend, have fun it is a nice ride.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Cologne Thalys Train Tickets from Euro Railways (http://www.eurorailways.com/products/premier_trains/thalys/cdgcol.htm)

or

Thalys.mobi - Welcome (http://www.thalys.com/fr/en)

You have to take a train from CDG airport to Paris Nord station - or if you're at the hotel, you can take the Metro to the Paris Nord station

All destinations outside France depart from Paris Nord - nothing non-stop from CDG airport station

The first link above quotes first class from Paris to Cologne at $344 US

P.S. you don't have to get pre-authorization for train tickets over $100 - trains are not considered "ground transportation" for purposes of pre-authorization over $100 - go figure?

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Cologne Thalys Train Tickets from Euro Railways (http://www.eurorailways.com/products/premier_trains/thalys/cdgcol.htm)

or

Thalys.mobi - Welcome (http://www.thalys.com/fr/en)

You have to take a train from CDG airport to Paris Nord station - or if you're at the hotel, you can take the Metro to the Paris Nord station

All destinations outside France depart from Paris Nord - nothing non-stop from CDG airport station

The first link above quotes first class from Paris to Cologne at $344 US

P.S. you don't have to get pre-authorization for train tickets over $100 - trains are not considered "ground transportation" for purposes of pre-authorization over $100 - go figure?

$344 seems a bit high, especially since the exchange rate is getting better.

Don't forget to have a charged laptop/iPad and a fresh movie/kindle book. Bring a bottle of wine and kick back, though you will get a meal and a snack, IIRC. Short walk from the train station in CGN to the hotel, or a cheap taxi ride.

BTW - I'm thinking of taking the train from NC to Trenton next week for DH on a charter flight! Wish me luck! :)

From the airport, take the train to Gare de Nord (Paris North) ~8Euros. Then you have to go upstairs to get the the Thalys platform. Ditto on advance purchase (1st Class) and printing ticket/receipt because the lines at the station can be long. If you are going to be a regular, I suggest getting the ThalysCard so you can get miles and the card doubles as your ticket.

$344 seems a bit high, especially since the exchange rate is getting better.



Thalys site says 129 Euro (* refundable w/50% charge/penalty) or 169 Euro (refundable w/no penalty) - Paris Nord to Cologne

that $344 was on the other site for Full Fare 1st class from the CDG airport to Cologne

when you change it (non-Thalys site) to Paris Nord to Cologne it changes the fare to $254

not sure why such a big difference?

Thanks. Appreciate the replies.

Train gouge (http://www.seat61.com/Europe-train-tickets.htm#Paris)

I did STN to CGN via the chunnel a while back and this site was the most helpful. You want gouge? This guy's got it. Everything you could possibly want to know about riding trains in Europe, right down to which seats to pick.

The link is to a page with info on Paris to CGN (scroll down a bit).