Booking online with SNCF,Bahn.DE or RAIL EUROPE

You get the best prices if you book online, on the Bahn website, well (up to 92 days) in advance. Unlike the airlines, these fares don't mysteriously appear and disappear. They are very structured. They start 92 days out at €29, from anywhere in Germany to anywhere else, as long as an express train (ICE,IC,EC) is on the route. There are a limited number of €29 tickets. When those sell out, the price goes to €39, etc. So, it behooves you purchase as early as you can commit. As for RailEurope, they are just always more expensive. The don't offer the discounts.

Lee, this seems to address my topic under Prague-Munich as well. Are you saying that my best method is to buy online at bahn.de, then just print out with my confirmation code before I go to station? They are reliable?
You are right that they are quoting a price that is about 10% cheaper than RailEurope. Also, is it risky to wait til I get to station? Seats? Prices?

I know that tgv.europe.com (France) & Thalys.com may allow you to show your confirmation number to a ticket agent at the train station in order to collect your ticket - depends on the train. I've done that before. You'll be missing out on the discount tickets by purchasing them as late as you will be (with a possible exception of Italy, depending on how early you can buy them). ONE plan is to buy as many as possible once you get to a particular train station - buy all of your French tickets when you arrive in France, for instance. You 'might' get some deals if you're buying early enough. My suggestion is to plan out all of your potential train trips, know your various options (advance purchase requirements, exchange/return options, other strategies) before you depart the USA. For long trips, buy as many of those as possible here, then for more flexibility buy the shorter trip tickets there; many of those aren't even eligible for discounts. Another good example are the Lander tickets in Germany; you can buy them immediately before hopping onto a train, if you want. BUT you can spend €35,00 b/n Amsterdam and Paris by purchasing today, or you can spend €130 the week of travel. Just know your options and come up with a strategy you can live with.

Mary, to answer your question, yes - Deutsche Bahn IS the German train company. It doesn't get much more reliable than that. You can actually print the ticket and have it in your hand before you go to bed tonight - you MUST bring the credit card used to purchase the ticket!!! They aren't kidding about that!!! You'll have to show it. I don't see any way to NOT print your ticket at home on bahn.com; as I said, some countries' train systems allow it, some don't.

Eileen, my problem is that many places( like the studio flat we are booking in Paris) say you have free wifi but there is no printer. Does anyone know about SNCF in particular?

Then go somewhere you can get access to a printer.

But the point is, do I need one?