Train Ride to Paris - SBB to Paris Garde Lyon 12.8.2021

Breakfast came early as our 8:43AM Train Lyria #9206 waits for no one. We were in the restaurant as they were opening at 6AM. From our experience, typical European breakfast buffet, nice bread selection & pastries, meats and cheeses selection, eggs, coffee and juices. Then across the street we went in a luggage train we went.

A group must move in sections, as you want a scout with the first load of luggage to sit and watch, someone to pass the bags across the street (stamina required) and some one to stay back at hotel to watch the remaining pieces. So lets do the math here, 6 people, a suitcase and carryon plus a purse or backpack (preference depending on the person ) which is 18 items.

The busiest border train station in Europe, means maneuvering the 35 platforms with 1000 trains daily. Felt like playing Frogger trying to cross the walkway between platform access and restaurants & stores. Our train was slightly delayed, when patiently waiting on the indicated platform, a flash on our monitor stated a platform change, so our group gathered our bags and to the new platform we went. Our train pulled in about 2 minutes after we all got to the platform, we located our car and started the boarding process.

Our group climbed onboard and located and our seat' the guys sent up the bags to us and we placed in our area racks. Randy stayed on the platform to finish loading their bags, a younger guy who we originally thought was a passenger, turned out to be one of two pick pocketers. Randy felt his wallet leave his pants and promptly wacked his hand with a karate chop, he dropped the wallet and both ran. Our train departed shortly after, this happened so quickly, we all barely had time to knw what had happened till it was over. All this to tell you be very careful anywhere you board trains with luggage, there are people who work in pairs specifically to releve you of your wallet and valuables.

We quickly were whisked out of metropolitan Basel into the countryside of the Bourgogne region of France.

Beautiful lush green rolling hills, dotted with an occasional village.

Boux-Sous-Salmaise

Bourgogne, France

Our train arrived as schedule to Paris Gare Lyon, with 3 terminals, we made our way out of the train to the depart via taxi / private coach where our Blacklane transfer service was to pick us up. We waited about 10 minutes, one our cars arrived, loaded up quickly and off to our Opera District Airbnb we went.

Also wanted to add, there was no covid restriction on both metro travel or Train. Our QR Code to board the train was checked pretty quickly after we were underway by a TGV Lyria conductor. We were not ask about our vaccination status or any type of health pass although RailEurope webpage references Health Pass Requirements.

I booked our train travel here which is an easy process, just pay attention to origin and destination, date of travel and the type of ticket you are booking. There are at least three types of travel that has pros & cons. Similar to classes of airline travel. I booked first class but not the Executive class which included food and alcohol complementary. we will arrive in Paris just three hours after we depart. . . next stop Paris Lyon.