Dusseldorf, Germany best/cheap way to Paris, France
Jul 2nd, 2013, 07:29 PM
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Dusseldorf, Germany best/cheap way to Paris, France
We are arriving to Dusseldorf July 8, 8 am. We want to go to Paris.
I am really confused planning my trip, I need advice getting to Paris.
I got from Fodor's, "Thalys," train, I was impressed by their good prices but I just found out it is not any more servicing in Germany.
I am really confused planning my trip, I need advice getting to Paris.
I got from Fodor's, "Thalys," train, I was impressed by their good prices but I just found out it is not any more servicing in Germany.
Jul 2nd, 2013, 07:39 PM
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Looks like Thalys has direct trains from Koln (Cologne), Germany to Paris. You'd take a regional train from Dusseldorf to Koln. See http://www.bahn.de to check schedules. You can probably buy the Thalys ticket in advance if you want and buy the regional train ticket in Germany.
Jul 3rd, 2013, 03:28 AM
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Two ways to book this:
1) Now that DB doesn't sell Thalys, the only people selling a combination of DB trains and Thalys as one easy transaction are the Belgians: www.b-europe.com will work out train times Düsseldorf to Paris and sell you a self-print ticket for each train as one transaction.
2) You book Cologne to Paris at www.thalys.com then add a separate local ticket Düsseldorf to Cologne at www.bahn.de/en
1) Now that DB doesn't sell Thalys, the only people selling a combination of DB trains and Thalys as one easy transaction are the Belgians: www.b-europe.com will work out train times Düsseldorf to Paris and sell you a self-print ticket for each train as one transaction.
2) You book Cologne to Paris at www.thalys.com then add a separate local ticket Düsseldorf to Cologne at www.bahn.de/en
Jul 4th, 2013, 05:19 AM
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There is no reason to book the short local ride from Düsseldorf Airport to Cologne Hbf in advance. This can just be purchased when you arrive. These trips run two or three times per hour from the airport and cost only a few Euro. After your plane lands, just gather your luggage, do immigration/customs and head for the airport train station. It is unlikely that you'll wait more than 15 minutes.
Jul 4th, 2013, 05:27 AM
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German Railways will not even book a Thalys from Cologne to Brussels?
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Apparently not:
"Starting from June, 9, 2013, Thalys tickets are no longer available through Deutsche Bahn sales channels (German stations, DB points of sales, DB website…)."
http://www.thalys.com/de/en/Thalys-in-germany
This is pretty serious. The only way to book these tickets from Germany is the website, their call center, or their office in Cologne.
German Railways will not even book a Thalys from Cologne to Brussels?
-------------------
Apparently not:
"Starting from June, 9, 2013, Thalys tickets are no longer available through Deutsche Bahn sales channels (German stations, DB points of sales, DB website…)."
http://www.thalys.com/de/en/Thalys-in-germany
This is pretty serious. The only way to book these tickets from Germany is the website, their call center, or their office in Cologne.
Jul 4th, 2013, 05:30 AM
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So Patricia,
Your best bet is likely to book your Thalys ticket in advance from Cologne to Paris, leaving enough time for your arrival in Düsseldorf to get luggage, get through immigration/customs (if applicable), and take the 40 minute train to Cologne. You could leave yourself a larger window in Cologne as a contingency, and simply stow your luggage for a few hours in Cologne train station so you can view the Cathedral and stroll the town a bit before the Thalys train to Paris. This seems like a perfect way to stretch your legs and see one of Germany's most popular sights after a long flight (and before a long train ride).
Your best bet is likely to book your Thalys ticket in advance from Cologne to Paris, leaving enough time for your arrival in Düsseldorf to get luggage, get through immigration/customs (if applicable), and take the 40 minute train to Cologne. You could leave yourself a larger window in Cologne as a contingency, and simply stow your luggage for a few hours in Cologne train station so you can view the Cathedral and stroll the town a bit before the Thalys train to Paris. This seems like a perfect way to stretch your legs and see one of Germany's most popular sights after a long flight (and before a long train ride).
Jul 5th, 2013, 12:38 PM
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Be sure to put a few hours in between your expected time to take Thalys and if your plane is delayed - like Woyzeck says a few hours in Cologne is delightful - seeing one of the world's most imposing and hughest cathedral being the main thing and yes it is right next door to the main train station. If you get discounted Thalys tickets they are non-changeable nor refundable if you miss the train.
