Trip Report: ICE and TGV Frankfurt-Paris-Poitiers high speed train

Sep 3

Sep 3 Trip Report: ICE and TGV Frankfurt-Paris-Poitiers high speed train

I bought my train ticket from Frankfurt to Paris/Est connecting to Paris/Montparnasse to Poitiers a few weeks in advance, so the first class ticket was the same price or less than the second class ticket. Just like with airplane tickets, the earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets although you may have more restrictions. So it is sometimes the case when you can book a restricted first class ticket for less than an unrestricted second class ticket.

The biggest upgrade in service was on the Frankfurt to Paris leg operated by German rail Deutsche Bahn. In Frankfurt, first class gets access to the "DB Lounge," specifically the first class side.

Here you get free Wi-Fi, and drinks and snacks delivered by an attendant to your seat! I was a bit thrown off when the attendant asked what I would like, since I didn't know what was available. I asked for water and the attendant suggested a croissant.

I got a "Panorama Lounge" seat, which is a seat that faces the train conductor's seat and controls. Unfortunately, on this train first class was in the rear of the train, which meant that I was facing backwards into an empty cockpit. I also thought that this section was a bit noisier than the regular car. It was nice to have 270 degree view, though.

Breakfast is served at the seat. It was pretty basic although bountiful, with three rolls (cold), cheese, liverwurst, and cold cuts, orange juice, and yogurt. I had green tea to accompany, and the attendant gave me a little plastic lid to put the used tea bag in.

The ICE 3 train is like the one on the right.

After taking the Paris Metro a few stops (and up and down many stairs and through many tunnels), I connected to a TGV train to Poitiers. Mine was the older model in the foreground.