Hello.
We will be traveling from Munich to Paris in September. Factoring in the time you need to get to the airport and get checked in, customs, etc ,flight time and then going thru customs and getting out of the the other airport can anyone tell me how much time roughly that would be. We are trying to decide whether we Fly or take the train. Train is more scenic but we also don't want to waste too much time in travel mode.

Thanks,
Dave

I found a direct train on Deutsche Bahn that takes about 5 hours. That's probably close to the amount of time it will take you to fly counting getting to the airport, time at the airport, the flight, getting luggage, then getting to the hotel in Paris. Not only is the train more scenic but the overall experience is much nicer and less of a hassle than flying. And with the train you leave from one city center and arrive into another.

PS Germany and France are both in the Schengen zone so there will be no customs whether you fly or take the train.

There won't be any passport control/immigration check either, train or plane.

Ignoring the time differences look at departure times. There are often far more flights . A random search shows almost a flight every couple of hours. That can mean you can schedule things to waste the least amount of time.

Taking a 6am train means waking up early and likely messing up the night before. Taking an early afternoon train means losing the whole day.

OTOH if you found a 10am / 11am flight you might make it to your Paris hotel exactly at check in time.

Hi dave143h,

It takes 45 minutes from Munich to the airport, so figure 1h from hotel to standing at the check-in desk. You have to be at the airport 2h early for a Schengen flight, the flight takes about an hour, then 45 minutes to an hour to get luggage, and another 45 minutes to an hour to get from CDG to central Paris. So you can figure 5h30 to 6h for the flight.

There are 2 direct, 0 changes, trains per day from Munich to Paris -- one at 06.50 and one at 00.20 (the NightJet that, I believe, originates in Vienna). The 06.50 connection takes 5h40 and is super popular, particularly for business folks, and because reservations are compulsory, it can sell out. In fact, the last time I wanted to take it, it was sold out.

I live in Garmisch, south of Munich, and normally take the train. Yes, it is more comfortable and more fun. You can stroll to the bar car or the Bistro car, or you can enjoy the scenery. Right now, 1st class fares for 7 Sep are 79€ per person, at the Super Sparpreis (super savings).

Have fun as you plan!

s

There are many train connections with 1 change:

08.28 taking 5h37
10.28, taking 6h26
12.28, taking 5h37
14.28, taking 6h13
16.27, taking 5h38

Taking the train gives you as many options as flying --

s

Would you want to be dealing with the train AND a change with luggage? Worse you're asking the OP to make a connection at a station they've never been to.

When you take an early train, you have time for a nice comfortable nap, so it does not ruin the night before or your time in Paris.

Lol, Traveler_Nick, I do it all the time. I'm a little (5'3"), old (68) woman who travels solo. So long as one can read numbers to get to the right track at the right time, it isn't difficult.

Travelling by comfortable & efficient train is something that is novel and new to many Americans. We can take flights anywhere, and most of us have lots of experience with flying. But a train trip can be different and fun and a way to actually interact with locals who are not in the hospitality business.

s

changing trains at a station you've never been to before does not seem like a strong argument for flying but hey...

I'd take the train, far more relaxing, more interesting as you can chat to people, watch the world go by, use the loo that you can turn around in, take a picnic, just a better experience. Did I mention Climate Change?

People manage to change flights successfully at airports they have never been to. Changing trains at a station is a walk in the park by comparison.

Take the train. Make the journey the goal for that day. Not everything has to be rush rush rush, you are on holiday.

How is running between trains dragging a suitcase relaxing? How many people would make a nine minute flight connection?

Then look at the times given above. Outside of the 8.30 and the 10.30 the rest are basically a full day gone. Is the OP willing to do that?

Climate change is a weak argument at best. An empty plane pollutes no less than a full one. Unless you can convince the airline not to fly the net effect is zero.

yes you are right Nick, which is partially why I didn't mention it except as a question,,, though, if everyone decided to take the train the airlines might start thinking differently as their income goes down and their costs remain the same.

Changing trains in Germany is usually straightforward and easy. The onward train is often on the adjacent track, or very close by. Unless you are burdened with excessive luggage, I would take the train. Actually, I myself would take the early direct train. As someone else said, you can catch up on your sleep during the journey.

Traveller Nick you have clearly never had a connecting flight in the US arriving from Europe, as a non US citizen, where you have to queue for hours to be treated as a potential criminal at passport control, and then reclaim your luggage, be treated as a potential criminal again, then re check it, go through security again and rush off to find your flight, which may or may not still be there waiting for you.
I bet there is one suitcase and one carry-on per person at most. Unless OP is extremely old or weak they can manage that. They will have to wrangle them in and out of hotels or wherever they are staying anyway.
Connecting trains usually leave from the other side of the same platform. If not there are things called lifts (elevators to you) to get you between platforms.
Plenty of people manage it, even Americans.

If nobody stops flying the airlines won't stop either. Enough people take the train and airlines rethink their schedules and reduce the number of flights and therefore their and your carbon emissions. They will scream blue murder, as they have in France and at Schiphol, but they will do it.
It is probably too late anyway but it is surely worth a try.

Fast long-distance trains and overnight trains are already cutting into air travel, resulting in cancelled flights and higher airfares. France is banning short domestic flights starting in 2024(?) and are considering banning all short flights originating in France. I've read that Spain is also considering a ban.

I would absolutely take the train. Some of us travel within Europe exclusively by train and bus - having to change trains at an unfamiliar station is done all the time and is usually seamless. I suspect that anyone who thinks otherwise probably hasn't done it.

Comparing changing trains to changing flights with a short connection is comparing apples to oranges.

Thankyou for all the feedback! Everyone has been so helpful and kind. Some very good tips and things we were not aware of. We are traveling from America to Europe for the first time to Germany, France, United Kingdom and looking forward to the Trip. So we're trying to balance doing things vs the time to get from one location to the other. Train it is !!!