What are my best option on catching an overnight train (if there is one) from Paris to Koln? Does anyone know of Thalys.com...is this a reliable website, train? Thanks
Also, what would be my best option for going to Paris from Madrid? Air or train, cost vs time?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Because Thalys makes the trip in few hours, I doubt there's an overnight connection. Thalys operates regular highspeed service between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne and a few other cities. It's as reliable as any other rail company in Europe.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you book well in advance (up to 90 days allowed) at thalys.com, you can get a Smoove fare as low as €29. The standard 2nd class fare is €105. For Paris-Madrid your best budget airline choices are CDG-Madrid on either easyJet or Vueling. Ryanair flies Beauvais-Madrid, but Beauvais is a long bus ride from Paris. There is a direct Elipsos Trenhotel night train. Standard fare is €163 for a bunk in a four-person couchette; but if you book well in advance (up to 90 days allowed) at www.tgv-europe.com, you can get a Prem's fare as low as €72. To keep the site in English and to avoid being bumped to the Rail Europe site which usually doesn't offer discount fares, choose Great Britain as your country of residence. Pick up your ticket at any SNCF station or boutique in France.