geminican

HI I'm in Munich and want to take a fast train to Paris on Monday, Oct 12, 2015 with ZERO TRANSFERS.

Is DB Bahn the correct website? https://www.bahn.de/i/view/GBR/en/index.shtml

I want direct Munich to Paris, no transfers, and I'm only seeing 6:25am departure, and 12:35 arrival in to Paris.

My questions are:
Am I looking at the correct website?
Which Munich station to Paris station?
Do you see another train with zero transfers leaving slightly later on the same day or is this it?
SAVER vs STANDARD ticket?
Your experience taking this fast/bullet train? Any heads up advice for me?

I was also looking at Skyscanner last night and didn't see any direct flights earlier than 9pm so figured I would just take the train. For some reason I keep getting a "DENIED ACCESS" on Skyscanner website so I can't even see anything now.

Thank you so much! I appreciate your time.

Christina

yes, that's the correct website and that IS the only direct train to Paris tomorrow.

There are several flights on Air France or Lufthansa tomorrow (maybe they codeshare, DK) starting in the am, they just cost a lot more than Transavia (about $300_+), which is the only cheap one and is about 9-10 pm.

Christina

sorry, I was looking at tomorrow but it's the same thing for Monday, that is the only direct train. Skyscanner claims to have a direct flight on AF for only about $200 on Monday, I think around noon, not sure. But they say it is $400 on AF, so some discount.

Still, depends how much you need to get there Monday, and not leave around 6:30 am, which doesn't seem like that big a deal to me if you really want to go.

Fast trains are fast trains, German trains are very good, not sure what there is to say about that. My advice is get up an hour or two early and take the train.

geminican

Thanks so much Christina!! I appreciate the quick response. I want to get there during the day plus considering all the lugging, security to airport and back, the train might be a better option, also price wise.

Dukey1

Even if you DO end up on a journey which requires the change in Mannheim it isn't something you probably couldn't easily handle. Give yourself some credit.

swandav2000

Hi geminican,

I agree with Dukey1.

I'm a 60-year-old slight woman, and I travel by train with my luggage often. I'm going to Paris myself from Garmisch in November, and I have 2 changes. It's really no big deal. Just grab 'n go.

The change will be only about 3 minutes of inconvenience and hassle, and that shouldn't be a problem.

It's easy to do, too. You'll have the track number ahead of time, so all you have to do is get to the right track number at the right time --

Have fun as you plan!

s

Man_in_seat_61

The 06:25/7/9 (it varies) is a French TGV Duplex - a 200mph double-decker high-speed train.

Upper deck seats give the best views of the scenery - that's any seat number above 60.

It's direct from central Munich (Munich Hbf) to Paris Gare de l'Est. Centre to centre.

Later departures involve on e easy change at Stuttgart from a superb German ICE to a French TGV Duplex.

There are no direct flights from central Munich to central Paris, you always have to change twice (- think about it! ;0) )

Man_in_seat_61

And yes, book at either www.bahn.de/en OR www.captaintrain.com - the latter allows a choice of decks, go for an upstairs seat.

denisea

I love the capitain train site! I actually use the app where your boarding passes can be housed. I am always afraid I will lose my paper boarding pass and it just convenient to have on my phone. You can also use PayPal to pay, which I also find convenient. Good luck and enjoy Paris!

Christina

<<There are no direct flights from central Munich to central Paris, you always have to change twice (- think about it!>>

This is simply not true. There are many nonstop flights on Air France and Lufthansa, and Transavia at 9:10 pm as noted. Of course no plane flights into the center of the city.

geminican

Thanks so much this was perfect! I booked the 6:25am train just in time for lunch in Paris!

flpab

Just did the one where we changed in Stuttgart. Super easy but we pack light. The train was packed on Friday because of strike on Thursday. Some of the suitcases were huge and the struggles were big not only in getting in and off but space in the racks. That was leaving Paris and no stops.

PalenQ

gemincan - what did you pay and did you get the Saver price on short notice or have to pay full or standard fare?

curious.

janisj

<B>Christina:</B> >><<There are no direct flights from central Munich to central Paris, you always have to change twice (- think about it!>><<

>>This is simply not true. There are many nonstop flights on Air France and Lufthansa, and Transavia at 9:10 pm as noted. Of course no plane flights into the center of the city.<<

You answered it yourself . . . there are NO no-stops from <i><u> central</i></u> Munich to <i><u>central</i></u> Paris and one <i>would</i> need to change (at least) twice . . .

'twas the whole point of seat 61's post

geminican

PalenQ,
The Saver was no longer available so purchased the Standard for 142E plus 7E insurance since my itinerary has been so unpredictable as of late. It was weird though, I don't know if I had just missed the Saver but the option for it was available but when time to pay it kept saying no seats available (tried it 3x). Another concern I have is even with the Standard it didn't let me reserve a seat, just asked if I want window or aisle with table or without, compartment or open, but no option for assigned seat. What's up with that, do I just hussle for a seat on the top deck for some countryside spectating? I was planning to ask INFO desk at station maybe it's on my ticket and I'm just not seeing it.

geminican

flpab, thanks for the heads up! Thankfully I pack light too.

swandav2000

The DB also has a smartphone app that lets you download tickets to your phone.

Just get the app, then sign in with your DB user name/password. Then download your tickets.

You need to have wifi to download the tickets, but you don't need to be connected to show them to the conductor. Once they're downloaded, they're stored like a document.

Then you just show the QR code to the conductor (along with your cc or id if you're in Germany).

Have fun as you plan!

s

PalenQ

gemincan - the French train I believe requires seat reservations and they should come with your ticket - but if it is a German train going to Paris German trains have optional seat reservations for an extra fee - otherwise yes play musical chairs till you get a good seat.

PalenQ

Checking www.bahn.de/en - it shows that the direct train at that time to Paris is a French TGV - seat reservations are compulsory it says from Karlsrhue to Paris portion but not Munich to Karlsrhue - I assume your ticket comes with the automatic seat reservation that comes with any TGV ticket - do you have the actual ticket? I would go up to train info in Munich and ask about it - I assume when they asked you what type of seat you wanted it meant for reservations purposes.

PalenQ

It was weird though, I don't know if I had just missed the Saver but the option for it was available but when time to pay it kept saying no seats available (tried it 3x).>

Yes that happens here today gone tomorrow or the next minute - if one finds a good fare they should hop on it - in general - not in your case because you tried.

Please tell us how the trip went and about the reservation snafu.