
France-Germany
France-Germany High Speed : The more MPH, the more views per trip.
- Paris - Frankfurt: 03:48
- Book up to 120 days in advance
- E-ticket
- High Speed trains
Overview
France-Germany
It’s not every day a train route is so revolutionary, it can change travel plans all over Europe. Yet, with standard operating speeds of nearly 200 mph, that’s what the France-Germany High Speed/Alleo lines did with their expansion in 2010. Now travelers can enjoy eastward connections from Paris to the Champagne-Ardenne, Lorraine and Alsace regions, and then continue with direct service to Ile-de-France, Northern, Western and Southwestern France, as well as Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
Today’s France-Germany High Speed/Alleo trains have reduced travel times to almost 30 destinations by up to 50%, allowing for more frequent departures. You can go from Paris to Munich in just over 6 hours, or Paris to Stuttgart in 3 hours, 46 minutes on the TGV. Paris to Frankfurt takes just 3 hours, 48 minutes, and Paris to Geneva is a mere 3 hours, 5 minutes. And the TGV isn’t just fast, it’s uber-relaxing : whether you’re in Economy Class with its reclining seats and adjustable head and footrests, or Comfort Class which surrounds you in Lacroix designed indulgent interiors. Premier Class offers additional amenities, full-on luxury, and a silent car option.
All in all, it adds up to a chance to really appreciate the views from the windows and the company you’re with, whether it’s family, travel companions, or your new rail car friends. And it’s a journey over 11.5 million people have enjoyed, which can mean only one thing. It’s not just the train that goes fast, but the seats. So book now.
Practical information
Paper ticket
Receive your ticket directly to your address. Just take them with you and you are ready to travel. Shipping fees apply.
Print @ home
Print your ticket anywhere and anytime before your travel. Skip shipping fees.
Print @ Station (from France)
Go to a self-service ticket machine and enter your reference to retrieve your ticket. Skip shipping fees.
- France-Germany tickets are open for booking 120 days ahead.
- Get the lowest prices by booking early and don’t wait until the last minute as cheaper seats sell the fastest.
- Opt for off-peak trains when you have to travel short notice. They are more affordable than morning and evening trains along with those running on holiday eves, Friday and Sunday afternoon.
A class apart
Classes of service
Second class | First class | |
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Generous legroom Watch rolling landscapes pass with room to stretch your legs. | ||
Reclining seats Make yourself at home as you journey from one city to the next in a comfy reclining seat. | ||
Welcome drink Enjoy a refreshing beverage to welcome you on the train, delivered by the friendly staff. | ||
Power sockets Keep your phone, laptop, or other devices charged while sitting in your seat. | ||
Exclusive Business Lounge At the station, enjoy the atmosphere and services of the lounge, perfect to relax or catch up on some work before your trip. | ||
Bar buffet car Access to the bar buffet car where snacks and beverages can be bought. | ||
Comfortable seats Spacious seats with a headrest and generous legroom. | ||
Subway tickets Save time by purchasing Paris Metro tickets on the train |
Travel forum
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FAQs
Common Questions, Simple Answers
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Q. Can I purchase seat reservations from Rail Europe once I’m already traveling in Europe ?
A. Yes, but only when an e-ticket is offered for the train you want to take. If only a paper train ticket is offered, you’ll need (and want) to purchase your reservation(s) locally at the train station to avoid international shipping fees and delivery times.
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Q. Will I be sharing my sleeping compartment with strangers ?
A. If you book a reservation for a bed in a compartment that can accommodate more people than are in your traveling party, yes, additional people may be in the compartment. It’s also important to note that couchette accommodations are usually not gender specific.
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Q. Seat Reservations are sold out for the train I want to take. What should I do ?
A. If the train you’re planning to take requires a reservation and reservations are sold out, there are only two things you can do. Purchase a regular, full-fare ticket if those are still available, or try to travel on another train (later or earlier) that has reservations available.
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Q. Do you offer student, family and/or senior discounts ?
A. Yes. Rail Europe offers a wide range of train tickets and rail passes that provide discounts to children, youths, seniors or groups of people that travel together.
Discounted rates vary depending on the type of train ticket or rail pass you are purchasing, and are not always offered.
We do our best to provide you with the cheapest fares for your traveling party and get you the discounts you’re eligible for. This is why it’s important to accurately indicate the composition of your traveling party when requesting fares and schedules or rail pass prices from our website. You may also have to enter the age of certain travellers, so we can determine whether they’re eligible for certain age-related discounts.
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Q. My Rail Europe train tickets were not accepted by the conductor. What do I do ?
A. While all train tickets issued by Rail Europe should be accepted onboard the train, if you should run into any issues, be sure to ask the conductor to stamp your Rail Europe ticket "Not Used" with a written note explaining why this ticket could not be accepted by a railway official. You will want to keep that ticket safe and upon your return home, you can send the original ticket, any replacement tickets and receipts, and a brief letter of explanation to our Customer Relations team.
Please use the Contact Us page to get more information regarding a refund.
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Q. Should I buy my seat reservations prior to arriving in Europe, or can I just get them at the station locally ?
A. We recommend that you purchase your reservations as soon as possible, once you’ve determined which train journeys you’d like to take and what dates you’ll need them.
In most cases, rail carriers set aside a limited number of seats for stand-alone reservations. Once those seats have sold out, only regular full-fare tickets can be bought for the train. Because of the limited reservation-only inventory, these seats do in fact sell out, especially during peak travel seasons such as the holidays or summer. The cost difference between a stand-alone reservation and a full-priced ticket can amount to a hundred dollars or more. There’s nothing more frustrating than being unable to use your rail pass and having to buy a full priced ticket at significant cost. Therefore, we highly encourage you to lock down your reservation and make the most of your travel budget as soon as possible.
Also keep in mind that reservations can be purchased online from Rail Europe’s website and iPhone App. Many rail carriers do not sell stand-alone reservations through their website and in most cases, you will have to go in person to the rail station to buy your reservation when in Europe.
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Q. What do I do if no one comes to check my train ticket or rail pass ?
A. It’s best to keep your travel documents (train ticket, rail pass, and/or reservation) out and ready to be checked by a conductor. If for any reason a conductor does not come by to check your train ticket or rail pass during your entire journey, no worries. Simply get off the train at your destination station and continue with your travel plans.
Please keep in mind that you will need a valid rail pass or train ticket to travel on board trains in Europe. If your pass or ticket were not looked at, it is an unusual occurrence.
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Q. Why doesn’t my train ticket show my date or time of travel ?
A. If your train ticket does not show a date or time of travel, most likely you have a point to point train ticket without a reservation. You can use your ticket on any train that doesn’t require a reservation, operating between the cities listed on your train ticket, and on any date within the validity period printed on the ticket.
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Q. How do I use a Rail Europe Gift Card ?
A. Simply use the Gift Card code that was provided by Rail Europe on your certificate. Enter this code on the delivery page during checkout. Note : the full dollar value of the Gift Card doesn’t need to be used all at once ; you will be sent a new Gift Card code for any remaining balance.
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Q. What are the benefits of registering on the Rail Europe site ?
A. When you register on our site, a wide range of exclusive tools and services become available to you. You will have access your booking details, ability to download your tickets and track your shipping. You will get notifications and alerts concerning your trip. You can save your searches, pages, and itineraries right in your account. And by registering, you will also have the ability to leave a review on your travel experience with Rail Europe.