rachie205

Hey all,

My fiance and I are headed off for our honeymoon in June. We're trying to decide whether to take a train or fly between Paris and Munich. There isn't much of a difference in price--flights are $188 (for a crappy time), train is $140-something. The flight's about 3 1/2 hours long, the train is 6, but we would get to see cool scenery, and having to go to the airport and go through security and customs might put us at close to 5 hours flying anyway.

What do you guys think?

Southam

The duration of the flight is about 90 minutes but you are factoring in the times for travelling to the airports, security, check-in and baggage retrieval. All the factors you mention in favour of train travel, plus more comfort, and less stress when departing and arriving in the centres of the city, would tip the scales to the steel rails for me. But I like trains. By the way, if you want to see the fine information resources of the world's Number One train fan, look at www.seat61.com

dfourh

Great post by Southam. To confirm, the question sounds less about price, and more about how you like spending time. The views on the train across that territory are probably not that spectacular. In fact, it could be a slog - - unless you have a good sense of how to use a large quantity of leisure time to eat a delightful packed picnic, endulge in little pleasures, and in each other. In contrast, flying is flying (as flying is). Though that, too, can have it's own rhythms, and little indulgences.

PalenQ

There is also an overnight train between Paris and Munich - save a night in a hotel and in a private double you may even find it romantic - warning a friend of mine's first son was conceived he is sure in such a train!

For lots of great info on European trains and overnight trains I always recommend these Wunderbar IMO sites - www.seat61.com (great info on online discounts on this train that may make it ridiculously cheap if you book really early); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. www.bahn.de for schedules and fares, including possible online discounts thru this site of the German Railways.

rachie205

@Southam--Actually, the only relatively inexpensive flights between Paris and Munich have stops, so it does end up being around 3 1/2 hours just for flight time/layover.

I had already booked the hotels before I realized that I didn't consider taking an overnight train, so that's out already (plus, I don't want to get in at 7 am and have to figure out what to do with our luggage all day).

I really appreciate all the links and advice! I think we'll probably end up going with the train anyway--I like the idea and I will have had enough of airports by the time we arrive anyway.

Thank you guys!

texasjo

Racie205. We took the train from Paris to Munich in Sept and enjoyed the trip very much. We left Paris about 9:15 am and arrived in Munich about 3:00 pm with a change of trains in Mannheim. Nice, comfortable trip. I booked at www:bahn.de and if you book 90 days out, rates are about half. The only problem we had was with luggage. If you have a lot, it's hectic getting on/off and getting it stored, especially if the train is full.

Cowboy1968

If you can't get a non-stop flight, which is hardly any longer in the air than an hour, the train connection is your best bet. Keep in mind what texasjo said about hectic connections, and getting your luggage on and off and on and off a two separate trains. Again, the direct trains (one TGV during the day, 1 sleeper) are much better than relying on making your connections. The scenery is not that grand that you'd write home about it, but also not too bad.

Man_in_seat_61

Even if you can get a direct 1 hour flight, add on the treks to airports way outside Paris and it becomes a 4-stage train-airport-flight-train marathon, taking probably 3-4 hours in total, and not exactly relaxing.

If it helps, your Paris-Munich daytime train will be a French TGV with Christian Lacroix designer interior, see the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG7jCNdGlQE

I'd recommend a first class table for two, book at www.tgv-europe.com or www.bahn.de from just 39 euros, or 69 euros in 1st class.

PalenQ

to get those 39 euro or 60 euro fare book early - seats are limited in number at that price and can sell out weeks in advance sometimes - but non-changeable nor refundable so be sure of your day and time!

Man_in_seat_61

Just to update this thread - since people are still looking at it.

There's no longer a sleeper train between Paris and Munich.

But you can book daytime high-speed trains from as little as 39 euros 2nd class or 69 euros in 1st class at www.bahn.de/en or www.capitainetrain.com

Some involve a change in Stuttgart but there's a direct train from Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:25 arriving Munich at 21:36.

It's now a 200mph double-decker TGV Duplex, book an upstairs seat (possible at www.capitainetrain.com) for the best views.

AisleSeat

I didn't see where you are staying in Munich but there are lots of hotels around the main train station. If you are in one of those it will be another plus for the train. If you fly you have a 45 minute ride from the airport to the center of town. If you do get in at an awkward time you can drop your bags at your hotel even if it is not check in time. They will store them for you. Congratulations on your wedding. I hope "train or plane" is the the biggest problem you have in your marriage.

Rubicund

The OP has (hopefully) now been married for nearly three years.

Dukey1

Yeah, and we took that Duplex route this past year and had to change in Mannheim. The "interior design"...well, just about anybody could have "designed" the thing. I would have to agree that the scenery wasn't all that memorable but I still believe it was a better was to travel than flying in this particular case.

Man_in_seat_61

The single-deck TGV with the funky Lacroix interior was superceded since 2012 by the double-decker TGV Duplex - with no Lacroix influence! ;0) Though I do love Duplex trains...

There's always interest travelling across two European countries - you pass Strasbourg cathedral, cross the Rhine, and see the differences between French landscape & houses and German ones. Also a good opportunity for a chill-out on the train!

PalenQ

Yup flying you see mainly airports and tarmacs and a handful of heavily touristed cities - take the train and see the Europe in between the main tourist meccas - it can be quite interesting as Man in Seat 61 says and with which I heartily concur.

Dukey1

Having taken the Duplex trip from Paris to Mannheim and changing there for the train to Munich I am not sure what the "issue" was above with the luggage, especially boarding the train IN Paris. That old, "be one of the first to board" adage has served us well over the years although admittedly it can be a bit harder to "be first" at some of the Paris stations than in stations in other cities.

As much as I enjoy European train travel we had absolutely NO thoughts of using trains to get from Milan to Edinburgh on our upcoming trip. Yes, it can be done by rail but not in less than a couple hours it takes to fly this non-stop route. Those airports and tarmacs have their place and IMO the key decisions to be made involve when it is better to fly and when it is better to use a train. There is no "right" answer for every trip regardless of what some people might say.

PalenQ

Of course I agree with Dukey about air instead of long long train trips! There are limits and one would be daft to go straight thru by train Milan to Edinburgh - taking a few days I would suspect.