laperaje

I heard that there is an overnight bus service running from Aachen/Koeln to Paris, but I cannot find it from Google. The bus leaves around midnight from Aachen/Koeln, arriving in Paris at around 6-7 am, returning to Aachen/Koeln around midnight (the same day). The ticket price is approximately 40 EUR for a round trip.

This bus is probably the best method to save a few hours of travelling time because I can sleep in the bus and wake up in Paris fresh (although sleeping in a bus is not as nice as sleeping in a still bed).

Does anybody know if such service exist? Please let me know their contact information if you know any. Thanks in advance!

altamiro

Generally, you should check the Eurolines website www.eurilines.com. On the other side it takes only about 3 hours by train from Aachen to Paris, so an early departure might be easier on your sightseeing than a night bus.

altamiro

Sorry, I mean www.eurolines.com

PalenqueBob

And if you book a dirt cheap Smilys or youth fare on the Thalys to Paris and back it could be as cheap as the bus and instead of an all-night marathon you're there in 3 hours.

TimS

The Smilys fare for Koeln-Paris is E59.00 (return), cheaper than a single ticket. Technically it's E29.50 each way, but it's only sold as a return. If you don't need it, throw away the return portion. Book online at www.thalys.com at least 14 days in advance (the more lead time, the better chance of getting a Smilys fare).

If you want to travel overnight to save the cost of a hotel room, there are two night train possibilities. Take a train from Koeln to Karlsruhe and a night train from there to Paris. Or take a train from Koeln to Osnabruck and a night train from there to Paris. See www.bahn.de for the timetables.

WallyKringen

Or fly Germanwings from Koeln to Paris CDG, for a pittance like the 20 Euros I paid a few months ago. Takes an hour and five minutes.

WallyKringen

The bus only runs We-Fr-Su, leaves Koeln at 22:30 arr. Paris 06:00 - www.eurolines.com as stated earlier.

PalenqueBob

penny wise and pound foolish - save a few euros on a hotel room and arrive wasted for the whole day. Sleeping on a bus sounds like fun - trains perhaps but not on buses. Take the Smilys fare like TimS has told you how to book and get a youth hostel if on a starvation budget and you'll be way ahead in any kind of reckoning IMO.

laperaje

Ok. My girlfriend and I have decided to take Thalys from Aachen to Paris Nord on Dec 26. That's the only option to arrive as early as possible on Dec 26 with reasonable cost. My ticket is adult fare 2nd class $84.25 and her ticket is youth fare 2nd class $45.75.

The Smilys fare only works for the 3pm departure

Thanks for all the help!