Germany to Paris

Author Message   Fred Hanna Member Username: Fhanna Post Number: 19 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 173.30.217.99 Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 02:24 am:    Have not traveled yet but purchased 2 one way tickets for 114.00 USD. 2nd class, purchaed online via RailEurope for travel on April 29. They shipped tickets free. Frankfurt Main HB to Est station, Paris.   FHYL Advanced Member Username: Fhyl Post Number: 361 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 68.68.131.47 Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 10:25 am:    Fuel, was it diesel or gas?. Gas is usually more expensive. Fuel @ Euro$ 1.45 / liter = $US 1.94 / liter. And at 3.78 liters/US gallon, cost is $US 7.33/US gal. [just for your cost estimates] .... For us, car vs train? We've done both, multiple times. Besides economics...consider the number of travelers, convenience and comfort. Its all personal choice. [Personally I love driving the big cities Paris, Rome, London, Frankfurt, Naples...and in between, thru the towns and villages ... zoom, zoom. Fahrvergnügen and all that rot.] Both modes are enjoyable, so much so that we are headed back for another two weeks in Oct '10. A week in Paris sandwiched between a half week in Germany on both ends. Another "Euro Baguette" to enjoy. ... Thanks to all for the updates, your posts increase our anticipation.   Richard W. Harbison Member Username: Harbrick Post Number: 40 Registered: 09-2003 Posted From: 70.251.198.45 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 07:23 pm:    Yes, traveling light is key to train travel in Europe. We rarely reserve a seat, and find that having only a backpack allows us to move quickly through the cars to claim good seats that have not been reserved. If they are reserved, it will be marked at the overhead rack area. You also will be able to get to the doors quickly to get out at the stop. (See Judy Miller's post).Fellow travelers are happy to watch your stuff, but you still have to be cautious. We love the trains, and wouldn't travel any other way!!   Martha Fralia Advanced Member Username: Mjfralia Post Number: 352 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 80.148.25.199 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 06:52 pm:    There is no such thing as checked luggage on any European train I have been on and have been travelling for over 20 years. You have to get your luggage off and on and find a place for it during the trip. Some cars have a small storage area in the middle of the car and there is usually some space at each end of the car. I wouldn't travel by train with more than one bag.   Ted T. Member Username: N4igo Post Number: 29 Registered: 02-2007 Posted From: 75.216.21.94 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 05:56 pm:    Neal, We did that trip the second week in March. There are places for the larger luggage at the end of the cars. We travel as light as possible, so we were able to put ours in the overhead bin. The train seemed safe enough to us. Everyone seemed friendly enough, probably would have kept an eye on something if we had asked. Happy Travels, Ted T.   neal floyd Advanced Member Username: Nfloyd Post Number: 228 Registered: 09-2007 Posted From: 67.233.135.84 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 05:29 pm:    I have a real stupid question--- On the ICE train do you check your luggage or put them in an overhead rack, or whatever. Did it seem safe or did you have to keep your eyes on your luggage all the time?   Lyle D. Member Username: Yellowstone Post Number: 43 Registered: 01-2009 Posted From: 74.190.8.94 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 04:46 pm:    Hello, I checked my statement again for the ICE train from K'town to Paris Gard Est was 324 EUR, round trip purchased 1 day and left the next. Purchased from RTT Travel @ Ramstein. We could have purchased tickets 3 days later but then you have 2 more nights lodging. We have never been lucky enough to have gotten to stay in lodging right at the terminal. We always get something that is far away, usually too far away for even walking. I loved that fast train. I just can't wait to make another trip. One other little thought - I will not make reservations for anything until I am in that area. In the past 5 yrs. we have learned the hard way on more than one occasion with making advance reservations. We have given money to Hale Koa and Edelweiss because of not able to make it to those destinations. But I will not complain, just getting to those locations 1 day later and free of charge makes it all worth while. I learn lessons along the way. Judy M.   Martha Fralia Advanced Member Username: Mjfralia Post Number: 351 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 80.148.25.199 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 12:14 pm:    Tickets are usually cheaper if purchased three days in advance. When we booked our trip through RTT in Ramstein the agent checked several different departure dates but there were no specials available at that time. The price of a rental car, gas, tolls and parking for five days in Paris came out about the same. Since we didn't plan to drive in Paris we decided to go ahead and take the train.   Karen Yan Advanced Member Username: Karenyan Post Number: 329 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 76.180.24.113 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 06:57 am:    The prices quoted on this board for the Kaiserslautern to Paris trip really sound steep. Last week I was making plans for a possible Spring Break trip to Germany/Paris. (we're enjoying a staycation due to the volcano) So a few times I was researching the train trips on www.bahn.de. Well, last Thursday, here is the price I found on the website to purchase tickets for the following Mon-Thursday. 2 adults/2 children K-town to Paris round trip: 232 euros TOTAL. So it looks like it's less expensive prices if you buy atleast 3 days in advance. My plan was to purchase the train tickets at the BWI USO, immediately IF we were manifested.   Charter US, Inc. Member Username: Annemarie Post Number: 11 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 67.142.168.144 Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 11:30 pm:    Thanks, Judy Miller, for this interesting report about your travel in Europe. I'm glad you told the audience that there seems to be a "moral" to these little mishaps. Europeans have a different transportation infrastructure than we have over here (i.e. fast trains, sub-ways, buses, etc.) and seem to be more tuned in how to use the system most effectively. Even I, who was born and raised in Germany, but spent my adult life here in the US get into little mishaps when over there and end up in a learning process every time. This is why I think this forum is so great for all of us! Thanks again, Annemarie   Lyle D. Member Username: Yellowstone Post Number: 42 Registered: 01-2009 Posted From: 74.190.8.94 Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 11:01 pm:    I am sorry - there is a moral to that story of the train mishap. Before the train stops, be at the doors with your luggage in tow. Judy Miller   Lyle D. Member Username: Yellowstone Post Number: 41 Registered: 01-2009 Posted From: 74.190.8.94 Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 10:58 pm:    My husband just said I should add another note to the train travel. On our return trip from Paris to K-town we had a little snag. When the ICE train "Inter City Express" stopped in K-town not many folks get off so the train is there for only about 1 minute. We got behind a young military couple with 2 kiddies and they were slow getting to the doors to get off. When he pressed the exit button at door it did not open. Experienced persons on the train said we were at the doors too late and guess what, the train went right on down the tracks. It only stopped at the spot for about 1 minute. Well we had to ride the train down to next stop which was about 30 minutes. We, us and the family of 4 were the only ones that did not make the exit. We could have been the only persons getting off at K-town, we don't really know. The 2 young parents were alarmist and really got the youngsters worked up. The kids started crying buckets and thought they were on this train forever. They did not relate well to this situation. After 30 minutes down the line, we got off and caught a local, slow train back to K-town which took about an hour. Caught taxi back to Vogelweh where we had reservations for a room for the night. The young mom asked if we wanted to share the taxi with them and of course I agreed. They lived in Vogelweh housing. Thank goodness, they had all calmed down by now. I treated for the taxi for all of us and thanked the young man for his service to our country. He was in the Army and they all looked like kids to us. They had been to Paris with the kids for the weekend. We are getting old. Judy Miller   Lyle D. Member Username: Yellowstone Post Number: 40 Registered: 01-2009 Posted From: 74.190.8.94 Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 10:35 pm:    Dear Mr. Byman, This is our mini-report. Planned trip from Ramstein to Paris March 1-10. Had to get room at Vogelweh - Ramstein lodging full. Got train tickets and hotel reservations from RTT at Ramstein. Took Taxi from Vogelweh Lodging to K-town for ICE train 2 1/2 hrs. to Paris. We love the train. We have driven all over Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 2008 and that was fine but we had 4 persons in the auto on that trip. Driving in Paris would be challenging for us. The Parisians driving is a bit agressive. Using the Metro in Paris is easy to master. Price for our tickets March 2010 for the train for 2 - 324 EUR. Round Trip. RTT Travel arranged hotel for us: Best Western Aida Opera. Prices ranged from 98 EUR on weeknights and to 150 EUR on weekends. The RTT agent had a bit of a problem locating a hotel that could accommodate us on a short notice. We arrived Ramstein on Monday night, went to RTT Travel on Tuesday morning and wanting a room beginning on Wednesday in Paris. But it all worked out and hotel was easy walking distance to 3 Metro Stations. It worked for us. I might could have found a hotel on my own but it was nice to know when we left K-town we had a hotel arranged for the next 6 nights. And by the way, Paris is a dream. But thanks to military space a hops that is what makes our trips possible. I never dreamed that I would see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louve, Arc de Triomphe and all the beautifrul churches, etc. It was a dream come true. Judy Miller   Joseph Knight Jr. Intermediate Member Username: Cougarfan45 Post Number: 71 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 68.59.33.213 Posted on Saturday, April 17, 2010 - 01:10 am:    Last week, gas was going for 1.45 Euro/liter in Germany, give or take some.   Edgar Inocentes Senior Member Username: Traveler88 Post Number: 527 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 209.242.132.226 Posted on Friday, April 16, 2010 - 08:16 pm:    Sorry for the Euro symbol which did not translate well. However, here's an excerpt from Rick's (Steves) Top Ten Tips for Traveling Smart in Europe: #5 Consider driving as a group: Four people sharing a car travel cheaper than four individuals buying four railpasses. Even at $6 a gallon, cars get great mileage and distances between sights are short. A single two-hour train ticket can cost you the price of a full tank of gas. So, Tom, J. you're right about renting a car.   Edgar Inocentes Senior Member Username: Traveler88 Post Number: 525 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 209.242.132.226 Posted on Friday, April 16, 2010 - 03:39 pm:    If my math is correct, $426.11 = €314.84 which translates to €157.42 per person, roundtrip. One way fare is €78.71 per person. Now, how much is car rental plus tolls, gas, etc?   Tom Jackson Senior Member Username: Tombo Post Number: 483 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 76.106.250.199 Posted on Friday, April 16, 2010 - 02:47 pm:    Patrick - How much did your train tickets cost? The $426 that Martha paid seemed high to me in addition to the to the $30 Euro taxi. It seems like renting a car would be cheaper?   Patrick Degenhardt New member Username: Pdpotomac Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2008 Posted From: 99.156.66.222 Posted on Friday, April 16, 2010 - 12:46 pm:    If you land in Spangdahlem - I took a taxi from the lodging at Spangdahlem to the train station in Wittlich and then bought a train ticket at the automated ticket machine for my ride to Paris. Look at the D Bahn web page for train schedules and fares. I believe the taxi fare was 40 euros for the 30 km ride.   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1465 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 76.29.20.95 Posted on Friday, April 16, 2010 - 12:53 am:    Thomas, that's a pretty fair hike from the pax terminal to any of the car rentals off base. Wouldn't they pick you up at the terminal and drive you to their office?   Thomas E. Burderi New member Username: America45 Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 151.198.55.122 Posted on Thursday, April 15, 2010 - 04:34 pm:    My wife and myself rented a car in Ramstein during the summer. We did a considerable amount of driving in Germany and eventually drove from Spangdahlem to Paris. If I recall correctly, the drive was less than six hours. We had a GPS with our rental which was pre set for non toll roads. We followed it one way and took the highway the other way. The non toll route took no more than an additional two hours but saved about $50.00 in tolls. The ride was very scenic and mostly on divided highways. We parked for free (street parking) near the Bastille and took the subway, which was cheap and user friendly. The car rental at Ramstein was off post and walkable from the PAX.   Martha Fralia Advanced Member Username: Mjfralia Post Number: 340 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 80.98.178.68 Posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 - 05:56 am:    We did this trip two weeks ago. Bought the tickets at Ramstein RTT, K'town/Paris on the fast train, return was Paris/Frankfurt airport. Total cost was $426.11 for two people. The taxi ride from Ramstein to K'town train station was 30 euro. We arrived in Paris at the Gare de l'est.   Thomas W. Moore Member Username: Bubblehead Post Number: 21 Registered: 02-2007 Posted From: 66.177.156.217 Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2010 - 12:09 pm:    If you get to Ramstein, you can take a twenty minute cab ride to Kaiserslautern train station and catch the high speed train to Paris. The trip is only about 2.5 hours. Second class seats are very comfortable and the price is reasonable. It is by far the easiest way. Pleasant trip.   Richard T. Brown Intermediate Member Username: Dick Post Number: 137 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.242.179.68 Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2010 - 10:16 am:    A few years ago my spouse and I traveled from the Landstuhl station to the North Station in Paris. One change. Nice ride and we picked up our tickets at the station. You could also book through the RTT office at RMS. Done that also for a trip to Berlin. Going to do the same in about a week to Amsterdam.   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1430 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 76.29.20.95 Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2010 - 02:24 am:    Check the archives as there was some discussion about the ICE train back in June 2008.   William Byman Intermediate Member Username: Bill_b Post Number: 60 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 74.110.112.222 Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2010 - 12:56 am:    My wife and I hope to travel to France in about a month, from Virginia Beach to Dover (or McGuire) to Ramstein (or Spangdahlem), then train to Paris. I would appreciate observations and advice from anyone who has gone to Paris via Germany.