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How to take a train journey from Paris to Frankfurt (Main)
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Paris to Frankfurt by train
Until Dec 9th due to construction work closing the main Mannheim to Frankfurt(Main) railway, some or all of the daily departures will be turning around at other stations in Germany, with connections available on to Frankfurt (Main).
What won't be obvious when looking up the train journey from Paris to Frankfurt (Main) is that the trains between the two cities take two different routes.
But it makes little difference to the journey times or ticket prices.
The route via Kaiserslautern involves travelling through valleys in a forest to the east of the city, but aside from that it isn't more scenic than the route via Strasbourg.
The route via Strasbourg is longer in terms of distance travelled, but the train travels further on the high speed line.
What gives this journey its wow factor is the speed, the trains will travel at more than 300 km/h on the fastest high speed line in France.
Routes you can take to go from Paris to Frankfurt (Main)
When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.
Choose one of the following options:
Looking for connections?
Route Information
Station Guides
Travel Time (approx)
3hr 38min - 3hr 52min (approx)
Frequency
Daily
Travel Info
Mon to Friday: 6 x trains per day
Sat/Sun: 5 x trains per day
Is the journey from Paris to Frankfurt (Main) direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.
Is the journey scenic?
Not particularly.
What other tourist locations are along the route from Paris to Frankfurt (Main)?
Some of these trains take a route which passes through Strasbourg and Baden-Baden - though these trains do not call at Baden-Baden.
When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Frankfurt (Main) from Paris - Est on this journey option?
- Around 12:00 on Monday to Friday
- Around 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to travel on from the station in Frankfurt (Main)?
There are regular local (S-Bahn) trains which provide the fastest route to the city centre - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.
When is the usual approximate latest departure from Paris Est to Frankfurt (Main) on this journey option
Before 19:10 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to get to the station in Paris?
The Gare de l'Est is served by three Metro lines including line 4 which provides a direct link from Gare Montparnasse and line 5 which is direct from Gare Austerlitz.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the neighbourhood.
Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for the Paris to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access a guide to how rail tickets are managed in France, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.
How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for the Paris to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
Typically up to 6 months ahead; see the Ticket Information
What are the child ticket terms for this Paris to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
Children aged 14 and under travel at a discounted rate.
The price is equivalent to a 50% reduction on the 'Leisure' rate for the part of the journey within France and free travel within Germany
Does the ticket for the Paris to Frankfurt (Main) train include assigned seats?
Yes - See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.
Do rail pass users need to book reservations for the Paris to Frankfurt (Main) train?
Yes; see the rail pass reservation guide for the options on how to book.
Is catering available on the Paris to Frankfurt (Main) train on this journey option?
Yes, but the level of on-board services varies according to the type of train used on a departure - find out more on the Train Guides which can be found within the Journey Information.
What else is good to know about French rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in France.
What else is good to know about German rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Germany.
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