Requesting help on the best way to travel by train from Paris to Boppard, Germany.

I have no idea what you mean by best way but to me it's either the fastest or the least expensive. Some people are opposed to changing trains (I have no idea why). There's a 9:10 train leaving Paris Est and taking 5 hours with 2 changes. That's the one I would choose. There's another train leaving at the same time and from the same station that takes a half hour longer and only has 1 change.

Hi sf,

schedules and prices are at www.voyages-sncf.com

Thanks for the replies. Never having used the trains, I have no idea how difficult (or easy) it is to change trains or purchase the correct tickets. We will check to find options.

And thanks for the web site for the schedules.

It's easier to change trains than to change planes. You usually only have to walk a few feet to a different track. Buying train tickets is also easier than buying plane tickets.

The least expensive tickets are available 90 days before travel date.

Avoid RailEurope which will charge a higher price for tickets.

Thanks for the replies. Never having used the trains, I have no idea how difficult (or easy) it is to change trains or purchase the correct tickets. We will check to find options>

check out these IMO superb sites to get a great understanding of how to use the fantastic European train system - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. It is easy to buy a full fare ticket at the ticket window but if you know your exact dates then you can get nifty discounts online at the site ira posted above - but note that for some at least, to wit recent Fodor posts, booking online can be a nightmare for novice users. But if you post your problems some folks here will always come to the rescue and help you out of the morass that at times several posters have gotten stuck in when ordering online. But the savings can be immense so give it a try!

I so appreciate all this help! There is so much to figure out when planning a trip like this for the first time and I'm grateful to have your experience to draw on. Thanks.

Unlike changing planes where you must sit until the plane is at the gate - on trains you need to organize your luggage and haul it to the door before the train gets into the station. The instant the train stops you have to drag it over (or down the steps) to the platform and walk briskly to the platform of the next train.

You can check out the time allowed for the change on the train web site - but often there may be only 5 or 6 minutes between trains. If you are uncomfortable moving quickly with your luggage - make sure you schedule alternate trains that allow longer time for changes.

and if you have to transfer long distances in humungous stations there are always free luggage carts waiting when you disembark the train but be sure to carry some euro coins as you have to put some in to get the cart disengaged and then if you return it to the rack you get the euro back. Some stations just have carts sitting around without the coin deal.

Many thanks! It's all becoming clearer. You are all fantastic helping me out like this. We are first landing at Gatwick and taking the Eurostar to paris. Does anyone have experience getting from Gatwick to the Eurostar?

gatwick to eurostar pretty straight forward - hop the train to Kings Cross/St Pancras station and walk to the Eurostar portion of St Pancras International station. Lots of direct trains from Gatwick to St Pancras, taking probably about 35 minutes or so.

And be sure the train is the fastest dependable way to get to Eurostar from Gatwick - taxis could often be much slower due to heavy traffic and the lack of freeways inside London - could take much much longer and cost a ton more. Trains trundle there every few minutes - just buy tickets at airport train station - use machines if possible to avoid perpetually long queues IME at manual ticket windows.