Journeying from Koblenz to Paris: A Test of Self-Experimentation with the Germany Ticket Offer
The Germany Ticket, or Deutschlandticket, has become a popular choice for young travelers and tourists seeking affordable and flexible travel options across Germany. However, many are unaware of its potential to extend their journeys into France, particularly to Paris. Here's a guide to help you understand the ins and outs of using the Germany Ticket for travel to the City of Lights.
The Germany Ticket, while not covering long-distance trains, is valid for regional trains up to certain border stations in neighbouring countries, including Gare de Wissembourg in France. This means that a young traveler could use regional trains covered by the Deutschlandticket to travel to Wissembourg in France, but beyond this point, a separate ticket would be required to continue the journey.
The ticket is valid for local and regional transport within Germany and up to border stations in neighbouring countries operated by German rail companies. However, it is not valid on ICE, IC, Eurocity, or other long-distance trains, which are necessary for faster connections to destinations like Paris. The ticket is also valid in second class only, and is an electronic ticket only; paper tickets are not accepted.
To reach Paris from Wissembourg, a separate long-distance train ticket, such as the TGV, would be required. The journey from Koblenz to Paris takes approximately 8 hours, with three changes and four regional trains. It's important to note that the Germany Ticket does not cover local transport in France, such as the metro, which requires additional payment.
The Germany Ticket is valid in parts of France, including the region of Grand Est and the route to Paris, for individuals under 28 years old from Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, and Saarland. The journey from Luxembourg to Paris requires a transfer at Metz, but Luxembourg is not participating in the Germany Ticket action. Public transport in Luxembourg is free regardless of the Germany Ticket action.
A power bank for your smartphone is recommended, as there may not always be power sockets in regional trains. For those planning to use the Germany Ticket to travel to Paris, it's essential to plan ahead and factor in the additional costs and time for the separate long-distance train ticket and any local transport in France. Despite the long travel time, the long-forgotten journey is almost forgotten upon seeing the Eiffel Tower.
The Germany Ticket can be used to travel to Gare de Wissembourg in France, but a separate long-distance train ticket, such as the TGV, would be required to continue the journey to Paris. This ticket is valid for local and regional transport within Germany and in parts of France, including the region of Grand Est and the route to Paris, but it's important to note that it does not cover local transport in France like the metro.
