Does anybody know the best & cheapest way to go from Frankfurt to Paris? I looked at www.bahn.de for trains and it was close to $500 for 2 adults roundtrip!

Hi russ,

try www.whichbudget.com for discount airlines.

There's a direct Eurocity (EC) train at 10:44 and 14:46 which would cost EUR 147 for two, one-way (so EUR 300 RT). I would say this is the easiest and much cheaper than you were finding. There is a faster route using the ICE to Cologne and then the Thayls, but this isn't much faster (6 vs. 6.5 hours), cost more, and involves a change (which means if you miss the connection in Cologne, you'd have to wait lonnger).

There's also a routing using on RE class trains for EUR 134, but this involves 4 changes and 7.5+ hours. For me, this wouldn't be worth the EUR 10 saved.

You can also save more if you book ahead, are willing to select specific trains, and (possibly) have a Sat night saty. The direct EC would drop to EUR 189 for 2/round-trip. Also, keep in mind while you're pricing, that the second (though 5th) traveler only pays half prive (at least for the German portion).

Enjoy your trip,
Paul

$500? I came up with about 287 Euros on the EC train, full fare for two, roundtrip Frankfurt to Paris. If you schedule with the Thalys, you will pay more.

If you have more time than money, could make this journey cheaper yet by arranging to travel on a daypass on the slower regional trains between Frankfurt and Forbach (French border station). Frankfurt to Forbach would cost you 28 Euros for two (each way) if you travel on a Sat or Sun (Happy weekend ticket daypass good only on regional trains.) On weekdays, buy a regular ticket to Mainz (about 3.50 Each) and get a Rheinland-Pfalz daypass from there to Forbach (22 Euros still, I think, for two, good on same trains.) Then, buy a regular ticket in Forbach for Paris.

You can also travel on the overnight Deutsche-Touring bus to Paris and back. It's about 41 Euros each round trip if you purchase 30 days in advance, around 75 Euros each if you just show up on that day, and tickets are priced in between for other shorter advance-purchase windows:

www.deutsche-touring.com

Since you have failed to define your interpretation of the term "best" I'll have to assume it means the fastest overall...as much as I love rail travel in Europe if you simply want to get from Frankfurt to Paris I agree with Ira's recommendation of at least checking out the possibility of cheap air tickets.