We are planning on taking a train from Munich to Paris in June. Haven't decided if it is best to take an overnite, sleeping on the train and having the day free for sight seeing upon arrival or departing early the next morning and arriving mid afternoon. Also is there any benefit to buying the tix in advance or will I have no problem getting them the day of or day before departure. We will also be using rail going from Rome to Venice and then Venice to Munich and plan on purchasing tickets the day before our travel. Appreciate any experiences and opinions that you can share.

Hi t,

You can often get discount fares online as early as 90 days in advance. See www.bahn.de for departures from Germany, www.voyages-sncf.com for departures from France, www.trenitalia.com for departures from Italy.

>take an overnite, sleeping on the train ...... or departing early the next morning...<

Depends on how well you sleep on trains. I wouldn't want a 6 person couchette unless I was trying to save money.

Enjoy your visit.

The excellent City Night Line sleeper train departs Munich 22:43, arrives Paris Est 09:23. To see what the couchettes (4 berth and 6 berth) and sleepers (1 2 or 3 bed, standard with washbasin or deluxe with shower) look like, see www.seat61.com/citynightline.htm.

Book at www.bahn.de

Alternatively there are high-speed daytime trains from 39 euros, also bookable at www.bahn.de

Buy in advance: From 39 euros in advance, 100 euros or so on the day!!!!

And don't forget the mandatory seat reservation cost which can be very high on the TGV trains...

>And don't forget the mandatory seat reservation cost which can be very high on the TGV trains...

4 € is very high???

Night trains often sell out, at least in some categories - sometimes even a week or two before travel. So buying a ticket for a night train the day before is not the best idea.

altamiro - seat reservations on TGVs are now 4 euros - have always been 3 euros?

The fares I quoted inlude the necessary seat reservation at no extra cost. It's only railpass holders who have to pay that.

I'd recommend booking as it wouldnt be worth your while spending a full day travelling from munich to paris

those fares are sold I believe in strictly limited numbers so book ASAP if interested IMO.