TGV train trip from Munich to Paris, non-stop

Bobby, several issues you have: (1) there is no TGV operating out of Munchen (2) there is no direct hi-speed train (ICE, RailJet, Thalys, whatever) operating a non-stop direct route between both cities (3) normally you can't reserve a full compartment of seats on high-speed train, as most trains lack them altogether (airplane-style seating arrangement is preferred.

No, some ICEs have compartments at the ends of certain carriages, and some TGVs have small "coupe" sections at carriage ends, but I don't know how you'd reserve them specifically.

There IS a direct TGV from München to Paris (it escaped my first search). It's TGV 9576, leaving 6:27 mo-fr 6:29 sa-so, arriving 12:35. The rolling stock is a TGV Duplex double decker. Route is via Stuttgart-Karlsruhe-Strasbourg. Spartarif (saver tariff) is available (I have seen 59€ and 89€ while checking several dates this spring). Reservation is compulsory (at least on the French part). There are 4 seating options when you book Großraumabteil (open coach), Großraum mit Tisch (open coach with table), Abteil (compartment) and Kleinkindabteil (small child compartment). Seating plan of TGV Duplex shows lots of open compartment, with good number of vis-a-vis with table. And in wagon #6 there is/are supposed to be family compartment(s). So first choice family compartment, second compartment and open with table. Just avoid the bus like seating - should be doable. With free registration on bahn.de your booking options are better. Generally if you book by credit card you need that credit card as ID.
Price 2xadult (Sparpreis if possible), the 2yo travels for free (ie 2x59=118€ reservation fee included). Imho a good price indeed. The train ride is lots of trundling in Germany but once you hit the French tracks it's a nice 200mph (part of the route were used for the V150 record runs in 07) If you need more help, feel free to email me.

If you book ASAP (up to 92 days allowed) on the German Rail site, you can get a discount fare as low as €59 for either the 06:08 direct TGV or a 10:28 ICE to Stuttgart plus a TGV from there to Paris. None of these trains is non-stop.

Wow Michael - thanks for demonstrating the best of this forum! What a fantastic bunch of information.

There is also a direct night train, if you are interested, and it has 3-person compartments. Some parents find traveling long distances easier at night, since the child is asleep. took that night train myself, many years ago. . .

Tim is right, saver tariff (Sparpreis) goes on sale 3 months ahead of departure day. It starts at very low and as the cheapest sell out prices go up. So 59€ then 89€, then 99€. I have seen 59€ on several days in April (usually mid week) for the non stop train, and reservation is included in that price. There are several more fast connections with 1 train change (Stuttgart/Mannheim) that offer those 59€. Transfer times are quite short, so no long wait.
And Lola brought up another option (that eluded me). The train search did not give CityNightLine because with every booking there comes a free bicycle reservation, and the system can not handle bikes for 2 year olds online. As under 5yo travel free with paying parents, I initiated a new search on bahn.de, and voila - CNL Cassiopeia, leaving München 22:50 and arriving in Paris 09:24. Sleeping options are Sitzwagen (seat), 4 and 6 person Liegewagen (couchette), Economy 3, 2 or 1 Schlafwagen (sleeper) and Deluxe 3, 2 or 1 sleeper. A 2 (or 3) person sleeper would be my choice. I've seen prices from 228 to 308€ for a 2p sleeper during my search, add 55€+ for a 3p. Another thing I checked is, if Bahncard rebate card is of any use. You can get a trial one (25% off) just on the fly or online now (valid 4 months I think) for 25€. For the sleeper train it's basically useless - gain << expense. For the daytime trains it saves like 15€ from the fare, but a ticket connected to a Bahncard is a City ticket, so free travel in München public transport. So more or less gain = expense. IF you travel more by train in Germany, then Bahncard comes into play. 1st - hunt for the good Sparpreise then 2nd - see if Bahncard pays off its cost on top of it. Google gave me seat plans, youtube videos and pictures of the TGV, the night trains etc. I can send you some links if you need.

Yes, thank you very much, I would love some links. I am actually now thinking about the night train that leaves Sunday night (March 24, 2013) , the latest possible, if there is such a thing. Another option would be the orignal 6:27 AM straight shot (March 25, 2013), and the third is the 10:35 AM. The only thing with that one is that there is a 8 minute transfer in Stuttgart and I haven't a clue how I can get off a train and board another with a two year old and stroller and suitcases in 8 minutes. Thanks a ton!!

I just checked the German Rail site. The 24 March CNL night train is sold out, except for reclining seats (which you definitely don't want with a two-year-old).

Thank you Tim, for checking. Its a bummer that its sold out. a whole train being sold out speaks a lot. I must buy my tickets, whatever tickets soon otherwise I will lose out on the other ones as well it appears....

I guess I was wrong in the other thread about there being a family compartment in that train, I've never seen those on the train though (but I may not have passed that car on my way to the Boardbistro - TGV trains are LOONNNGGG) I'm not sure I'd try to make that transfer. The Stuttgart HBF is not confusing, but depending on what car (wagen) you're in, it can be a long walk to the front of the gate, at least 3-4 minutes walking quickly. I'd consider making on my own with minimal luggage, but not with a group and a little kid.

The train, ICE 598, that leaves Munich at 11:28 (not 11:35), comes into Stuttgart Hbf at 12:47 on track 11. TGV 9574 leaves at 12:55 from track 12. The layout (www.germantravel-info.com/bahnhöfe/stuttgart.pdf&#41; shows that tracks 11 and 12 share a platform. This is not like an airplane, where you have to remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the "vehicle" comes to a complete stop. Before the train stops in the station, get up, gather your things, and go to the end of the car. 8 minutes is plenty of time to get off, walk across the platform, and board the TGV. The door of the ICE should be at platform level; I imagine the TGV is the same.

Hi, Knowing that the date you want on the CNL is sold out is something I have run across on a summer week-end, unless your family is satisfied with a compartment seat...something I don't recommend doing at all with a two year old. What I suggest is this: Go by day. Take the early Munich-Frankfurt ICE direct, then change to the ICE Frankfurt Hbf.-Paris Est. Time it right you'll be in Paris by 16:50 riding both legs on the ICE.