Travel from Trier, Germany to Paris, France

If you're booking train tickets through DB and chose a train with a connection in Luxembourg, then the German site cannot sell a ticket that doesn't touch Germany, such as Luxembourg-Paris. But live agents in Germany can, so they may complete it by email. Or, you can choose a departure that connects at Saarbrucken and complete the order on the DB web site. Good discounts are still available if you book soon.

You didn't say for how many days you're renting the car, but don't expect the quote to include a "one-way" drop fee unless you see it specifically listed. Any way, it sounds like you plan to pick and drop the car in Trier, "roundtrip." It doesn't matter to the rental agency whether you drive across that border and back. I don't know how they estimate fuel charges, unless they just included the cost to refill the tank once themselves.

An IDP is not required for this trip.

I cannot remember for sure, but the warning about Luxembourg may be because a Tax Vignette disc is required. Do some reserach or ask the rental agency you will be renting from for sure. Sometimes they can be provided for in the rental. EDIT: I take that back, I believe I am thinking of the tax sticker Lux. has for cars registered in Luxembourg, may not apply to rentals coming into the country.

For tickets to Paris, where are you looking for tickets? DBahn would be the best site, I show Savings Fares for as little as ~35 euro. 95 euro for a flex ticket (all one way) some of the results you do need to request the price by using the button provided.

If you're booking train tickets through DB and chose a train with a connection in Luxembourg, then the German site cannot sell a ticket that doesn't touch Germany, such as Luxembourg-Paris. But live agents in Germany can, so they may complete it by email. Or, you can choose a departure that connects at Saarbrucken and complete the order on the DB web site. Good discounts are still available if you book soon.
You didn't say for how many days you're renting the car, but don't expect the quote to include a "one-way" drop fee unless you see it specifically listed. Any way, it sounds like you plan to pick and drop the car in Trier, "roundtrip." It doesn't matter to the rental agency whether you drive across that border and back. I don't know how they estimate fuel charges, unless they just included the cost to refill the tank once themselves.
An IDP is not required for this trip.

I was trying to book them through the DB site. I'll look more carefully to see if the connection is in Luxembourg (I believe it may be). I'll also look at other nearby towns in which we can catch a train directly to Paris. I just need to see the prices so I can budget that part of the trip. We are renting the car from the 17th (afternoon) through the 20th (am). Ideally, we'd like to pick up and drop off the car in Trier near the train station (it isn't) but close enough. If I could not get a train out of Trier and it was feasible to drive to Paris, I thought they "may" estimate the mileage and fuel costs. I'll not worry about an IDP.

I cannot remember for sure, but the warning about Luxembourg may be because a Tax Vignette disc is required. Do some research or ask the rental agency you will be renting from for sure. Sometimes they can be provided for in the rental. EDIT: I take that back, I believe I am thinking of the tax sticker Lux. has for cars registered in Luxembourg, may not apply to rentals coming into the country.
For tickets to Paris, where are you looking for tickets? DBahn would be the best site, I show Savings Fares for as little as ~35 euro. 95 euro for a flex ticket (all one way) some of the results you do need to request the price by using the button provided.

I'll certainly ask them about the options. We are barely entering Luxembourg, but that may not matter. DBahn was the place I tried to find tickets to Paris. I could not get a price leaving Trier (20 July) arriving Paris (20 July).

Hi james. I'm a little confused at to whether you want to consider renting your car in Trier and dropping in Paris. If so, it's very easy to find total price for that. Just go to Hertz or similar site, put in your pickup and drop off info, select your car type, and it will show you the exact price with details as to drop fees, taxes, etc. Enjoy your trip!

"Leaving Trier for Paris and finding train ticket prices doesn't show me fares."

I just checked July 20 on the DB site and found a saver fare ticket for 4 priced at €139.60 (6:33) - two other options at €159.60 (9:33 and 13:37.) Prices include reservation fee. All have a connection in Saarbrücken (not Luxembourg) the shortest route (3 hr, 20 min.)

So if you're picking up AND dropping in Trier prior to your train trip, you avoid the additional foreign drop off fee and you pay a reasonable price for the journey to Paris.

Am I missing something?

James, don't just check train fares. Buy the ticket soon if you want one of the lower rates. Any departure displaying a price on the DB site is for sale there and has already been for sale for months.

I was able to find the tickets for 4 priced at €159.60 (9:33 departure from Trier.) The problem I was having was not FIRST clicking "Saver fare finder". From there, it was simple once I chose "Select start or destination outside Germany".