Has anyone flown Germanwings to Paris?

[stephandjoe]

Thanks to bavaria's helpful websites goodvibes ) we are likely flying from Stuttgart to CDG. Just curious to see if anyone has ever flown this airline.

According to the germanwings website for all 4 of us roundtrip it is only
153EU which is very inexpensive! Much cheaper than renting a car. I'm guessing from CDG we can get trains to anywhere we need to go?

Thanks!

 

[marcus.ka]

We always use AirBerlin from Nuremberg to CDG. But Germanwings should be fine as well! It is only a 1h flight!

From CDG you can take the TGV to DLRP (about 22€ per adult). The TGV only needs 10 minutes to the heart of DLRP!
Or you can take the RER. But this will take about 90 minutes because you have to change in downtown Paris!

 

[bavaria]

I second the 'how bad can one hour be?!' comment! you may want to visit their website as flying a LCC is different in Europe ie baggage restrictions as in America.

I also agree to take the TGV - it's very fast and convenient, although if you don't land in T2 you do have to take the airport shuttle. But very simple - simpler than taking the RER.

You can also take the navette (shuttle bus) to DLRP, or arrange for a private transfer like RS Transport, etc.

but DON'T book the TGV on an American site! book direct at www.sncf.fr for best rates - it was about $100 on an American site when I looked last year vs 21euros!

 

[stephandjoe]

That's a huge price difference for the TGV!

I'll check out a couple of different airlines from Germany. Any particular recommendations? Ones to avoid? I didn't realize there were so many to choose from.

Thanks!

 

[bavaria]

Pretty much the lowcost and Lufthansa are fine - even on Lufthansa you cannot book your seat number in advance until check in (over phone or computer) for domestic and European flights.

I haven't been up on who is trying to buy whom right now but there were a few business changes recently - nothing which should impact the passenger.

Just make sure that you read the restriciton for checked and carry on baggage as they are different than in America. You don't want that 153euros to become something much more due to too much luggage!

 

[marcus.ka]

We have always used AirBerlin and they are great! It is a "cheap" airline but you get a great service! We usually pay 100€ per adult and you even get free magazines, something to eat and something to drink!

 

[bavaria]

Marcus, question for you.... I usually book Lufthansa's 99 euro fare between German cities, and will most likely fly Munchen-Paris-Frankfurt this trip. (still 99 euros even if its open jaw and not round trip)

I know that Lufthansa's low fare isn't available short term but they do have 89 euro fares from Nurnberg.

Any reason that you prefer AirBerlin, as Lufthansa's economy class is not great anyway within Europe... just curious - I won't be earning many miles on that trip, and if you can convince me that AirBerlin is as good or better, I'll go for it!

For instance, do they land at T2 in CDG?

 

[marcus.ka]

We always use AirBerlin because they have the best rates if you book early! (69€ per adult for Nuremberg-Paris and back!!) And they have a great service! But they do fly to Terminal 3 but this isn't a big problem with the free shuttle buses!
Give them a try!

 

[bavaria]

Thanks - that is good to know! I won't much miss the 250 miles that I would have from Lufthansa into my frequent flyer account, so may need to check them out this time!

 

[stephandjoe]

I am bummed that we cannot use AirBerlin! We are flying out of Stuttgart and they do not fly into Paris from there.

 

[bavaria]

they DO fly from Munich/Munchen - it's a 2 hour easy drive from Stuttgart, and you could make some interesting side trips. The Munich airport is great to fly in/out from too..... just a thought! (don't know how long your trip is, but something to consider)

But then I am a little biased towards my part of the world...

 

[marcus.ka]

No this will not make sense!
From Stuttgart it is only a 4,5h ride by car to DLRP! But they would need 2h to get to Munich (by car) followed by check-in, time of the flight, check-out and the ride from CDG to DLRP! That would be at least 7h! If I would live in Stuttgart I would always take the car to DLRP because the main part of this ride is in France and it is very easy to drive on the empty "autoroutes" in France!

 

[stephandjoe]

We had considered driving but car rental was more expensive than plane tickets!

 

[bavaria]

Marcus, yes of course only makes sense if they are doing some driving around sightseeing! if they aren't then going backwards doesn't work

Steph honestly I don't think that Germanwings will be bad - for one hour at that price I say BOOK IT!!!