seat61.com/germany

I really like training like a local hopping on and off

cheap fun eurocheapo.com good tips route for me Hanover

Cologne (maybe a Rhine boat cruise) Bruge Brussels Paris

Tonnes of fun!

It all depends on what you intend to do. If you are mainly interested in these two cities, find a cheap flight between Berlin and Paris. If you intend to visit a city, such as Strasbourg, then the train might be the best option. If you want to visit sites that are more in the countryside, then a car rental might be in order, but be aware that there usually are hefty fees for cross-border drop-offs.

http://www.flylc.com/directall-en.asp

It doesn't sound like you are planning a hop on hop off trip across Germany and France.

You should be able to get one-way air tickets for well under $100 US if you book far enough in advance on either Air Berlin or Lufthansa. Right now, almost every day in May and June can be had for well under $100, with most days offering something under $80 - the low is $51.

You may be able to get close to the $80-90 mark with a train ticket also booked early, but the train takes about 9 hours with a change - the flight about 1:40.

So, even with airport wait time included, and the cost to get in/out from each airport included, and unless you want to try taking an overnight train, flying looks to be the clear winner. It will save you most of a day of your vacation and probably cost less than $80 more, taxis included (for the two of you) if you plan it early.

And when you are not interested in Frankfurt but simply want to get to Berlin, you could also check for nonstop flights from New York to Berlin. Air Berlin usually has pretty decent one-way fares if you can't get an open-jaw flight with any of the others that serve both Berlin and Paris - which should at least be Continental and Delta (?).

In the same situation a couple years ago we opted to fly. Looked for the best fare and it turned out to be on Air France for our dates. Don't remember the exact fare but IIRC it was comparable,perhaps even a bit less than the train. I might consider the overnight sleeper, but nine hours just seems like a long time otherwise.

Thanks, everyone, for all the advice! Sorry I was late acknowledging it--got caught up in non-travel activities.
I love trains, but probably the best bet on vacation is to fly. Thanks for the great links/

One additional thought, thought flying does seem like a good idea, is an overnight train, though most non-train buffs likely prefer the more efficient air option.

The excellnt and civilised City Night Line sleeper train leaves Berlin daily at 20:01, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:23 next morning.

City centre to city centre. No taxis, flights, buses, security check-ins or grotty RER trains to/from the airport required.

Fares from 59 euros with a couchette (simple flat sleeping bunk with rug and pillow), from 99 euros with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin (shower at the end of the corridor, breakfast included) or from 129 euros per person in a 2-bed deluxe sleeper with en suite toilet and shower.

Book at www.bahn.de, English button top right. Booking opens 90 days ahead.

Man, if I may highjack the thread for just a moment (hoping it helps OP as well), any thoughts about Global Flex Saver Pass (6 day) plus one City Line overnight Paris to Berlin? Hard to tell what the added charge will be with the pass.

(Getting the pass because we are going by train FRA-Munich; Munich-Venice; Venice-Dijon-Paris; Paris-Berlin (on said overnight); Berlin-Bacharach). Trying to figure out added charges if we get the passes--have already looked at point-to-point and I think the pass is a good idea relative to point-to-point.)

Dear Man_,
Thanks so much for the train information. When I visited Germany before I booked all my train trips in California on the excellent online DeutscheBahn website. I love the idea of going from city center to city center, and at a reasonable cost.

In July, I flew Berlin - Paris ( Orly). For $ 75 dollars.
by AirBerlin.
Getting to TXL in Berlin is easy, as is Orly to center of Paris.

Getting the pass because we are going by train FRA-Munich; Munich-Venice; Venice-Dijon-Paris; Paris-Berlin (on said overnight); Berlin-Bacharach). Trying to figure out added charges if we get the passes--have already looked at point-to-point and I think the pass is a good idea relative to point-to-point.)>

added costs - seat reservation for Italian train to Swiss border to reach Dijon - seat reservation Swiss train to Dijon and also to Paris (3 euros each for French trains - 10 euros each for Italina trains but I think 5 euros for IC trains) - Paris Berlin railpass covers train fare but not sleeping options - from about 25 euros in couchette (much less in reclining seats) to say 50-60 p p in a private double - less than a hotel cost for sure. And with all your travels I think the Eurail Select Pass (not Global) for Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland - a 4-country pass would be very cost effective in light of regular fares for first class travel - the pass is first class and there are many perks to that so IMO compare with first class fares - and the pass gives you flexibility to decide which trains to take once there - in Germany and Switzerland can hop virtually any train anytime just by showing up

Not sure about any seat reservation requirement Munich to Venice as some of these connections may involve a bus connection from Austria border to Venice - but again a few euros.

For lots of great info on European trains check out these fab sites IMO - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com (check out this site for info on discounted and often non-changeable tickets you must book weeks online to get as they are sold in limited numbers - limit your flexibility and often involving international trains just not readily available.

At the 59 euros fare Man in Seat 61 mentions one could save lots of money not only on a hotel night but also cheaper than most airfares once all the extras have been added on and also the cost of getting to and from the airport.