Perm11FO

I've got a scheduled DH out of CDG to CGN in late Feb and was wondering if there are reasonable options other than Lufthansa regional jet between the two cities. I've heard talk of trains, but just don't have a clue how to make that happen.

Thanks for meaningful assistance in advance!

MacMan

I took a train from Paris to Cologne in December. Go to this website: Travel By Train In Europe: Eurorail, Eurail Passes & Train Tickets from Rail Europe You need to place your order a few days before you leave so they can deliver the ticket to your house.
I took the Thalys non-stop that left at 10:01. There are a bunch of those non-stops starting around 7 am and a bunch more that connect somewhere. Non-stop, it's a little over 3 hours. First class ticket was 91€ and you can buy travel insurance for about $15 more. Nice train with wi-fi and meal included in the price. The train leaves out of Paris Nord and you can also buy the ticket there. Enjoy.

Dahlysia

I have done the train deal and it was pretty easy. Take a cab to the train station and also a cab in CGN to the hotel. It makes it pretty easy and the train was definitely the way to go, plus the scenery was cool. Ask the concierge at the hotel and I am sure they can help out.

Albief15

Thalys from Gard Nord. $20 taxi to station. 100-150 bucks for first class ticket. Good food, internet, and sightseeing. You can get the ticket the day of the trip if you must, or call ahead and make a reservation. In my case, the hotel staff made the call and reservation for us at our request.

Train station is at base of the Dom in CGN, which translates to a 10 minute walk to hotel. Plenty of gouge on same at pilotswap.net, or do a search and you should find more on this site.

My number is in VIPS as well...I'm not senior enough to do the trip regularly but I did it once and will pass on what I can. Plenty of hard-core MD11 guys here who know the drill that can help you as well.

Perm11FO

Thanks to all who volunteered with valuable information. I'd much rather ride a train and bypass the security issues and delays than have a short plane ride.

12th Man

The train's easy to use and very comfortable; whether you're using the French rail system or the German one. If Germany's going to be one of your routine destinations, and if you're going to use their outstanding Deutsche Bahn to get there, use thier website to look & book. I also recommend buying a DB Card. I have a DB 25 Card, which gives me 25% off any first/second class ticket I buy.

I love riding the trains in Europe. As long as you make it to the track you're supposed to be at before the train you plan to ride leaves, you're "on time"- so there's no bag-drag, no European airport security confiscating your chapstick, and no painful wandering around an airport because you got there & checked-in 2 hours prior. Good luck!

noser

I wouldn't use the other site that was posted here, they cost more and charge $18 to ship the tickets to you. I just booked mine for the same route at

Thalys: Your train between Paris, Brussels, Cologne, Amsterdam - Purchase, Online train tickets reservation

I booked it as a e-ticket and it was cheeper and they email you your ticket. Just print it off and take it with. Make sure that you buy a refundable ticket incase the change your trip. I was did and am glad since with all the WX on the East Coast I am now not going to CGN after all. Also, at this website the they spell CGN Koln.

Noser

MacMan

I think the other site is more accessible for an American who hasn't done the trains over there. On the first site all the classes of service are clearly explained, insurance is easy to purchase, blah, blah. I might suggest trying them side by side and comparing.

SabreDriver

I spend a good bit of time in europe and concur on using the train for just about any inter-europe DHD trip on a 30" pitch euro-jet/prop....

Favorite trip, MXP-FRA, via Zurich, take the day train, about 8 hour trip in First class, beautiful sights through the Alps, going the other way you can get a ticket for an overnight sleeper car trip if the daylight timing doesn't work for you. Very comfortable way to make the journey.

In Germany, be careful which train you board, just because there is a train on the track you expect to depart from at or close to the time you expect to depart at, doesn't mean it is your train....going to where you want to go Don't ask me how I know....

Tains are/haven't been very punctual this past year in Germany, on time performance is pretty good, but a delay of just 8-10 minutes can make a huge difference with the connections that DB rail will set you up with.... always check the screen on the side of the train for the destination, blah blah...

Overall YMMV, but for me,no better way to get around europe

noser

I would agree about looking at them side by side to find your train but in the end it's cheeper and I think easier to use the site I post to get your ticket. I also want to say again to make sure that whatever ticket you get SHOULD be refundable or you will eat it when they change your trip. (I just had mine changed and I am very glad that I spent more to get the refundable ticket)

Good luck and have fun.

Noser