Who Needs the Plane? Paris to Cologne at 300km/h in Thalys PREMIUM CLASS!

It's time to check out Thalys this week, Europe's most mixed cross-border high speed rail operator! Thalys operates the Paris to Cologne route using TGV PBKA sets, and also uses a smaller fleet of PBA sets, albeit restricted on routes to Brussels and Amsterdam. Just how good is Thalys and is it worth the price? We find out in this video!
Journey Details:
Date of Travel - December 2022
Operator - Thalys (Eurostar Group)
Train Type - Thalys TGV "PBKA" (Paris Brussels Koln Amsterdam)
Origin - Paris Nord
Destination - Koln Hauptbahnhof (Hbf)
Price - €92/£80.12 (advance single - exchange rate from Oanda.com)
Duration - 3 hours, 23 minutes
Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed the video!
Music from EpidemicSound and is used under license.
A huge thanks to Coastway Will for his contributions to this video - please do check out his Twitter here: / coastway_will
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Thalys Premium menu: www.thalys.com...
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#thalys #pbka #tgv #paris #cologne #köln #brussels #highspeedtrain #train #travel #vlog #tripreport

[@deepwoodguy2]

Rather strange lounge..."please visit our low to medium Premium Lounge"..and get some free water....perhaps they should delete the "premium" part.............good review.. thanks👍👍🚂🚂

[@downonthestour]

What an Excellent Ride mate! The sets are looking rather tired internally could defo do with a refurb. Great Video as usual Midland!

[@SpeedyK2003]

I can tell from experience that they are indeed tired. I took the thalys from amsterdam to paris and it was not that pleasent. Lights were broken, as was the seat. Cold food got served.

[@andrewhowe555]

Cool. I really like your channel and trip reports. Really inspiring, keep up the brilliant work 🚂🙏😊

[@craighobbs3708]

The Thalys lounge looks like an Ibis hotel reception area

[@edsontransports9400]

Lol

[@SleutelMan]

I used the new Ruby Thalys in February of this year. Planned a trip to Belgium and didn't really plan for it, so I was a bit surprised. The good point are the improved power sockets/USB power points, but the seat was quite hard compared to the older layout. Also, I have the feeling that the seat pitch has been reduced (again), so in general it wasn't as comfy as the old interior. Looks snazzy though ;-). As for Liège-Guillemins: It definitely looks nice in passing and during the day, but from experience I don't really like it as a place to wait for extended periods (which in the weekend and/or evening can be a thing). I felt that the place (especially the lower level with shops etc.) felt a bit dodgy.

[@RoManiAC_979]

Very nice👍 Suggestion Corby to London on first class if possible

[@budapestkeletistationvoices]

Only British would travel by air

[@enderhook]

No, you should be talking about Americans because we British have 200 kph links from London to Scotland and the west. (Trains)

[@spdfatomicstructure]

@@enderhook and HS2 will double that to 400. I wonder why it copped so much flak though

[@enderhook]

@@spdfatomicstructure environmental issues and the cost of hs2 has given it the critisism aswell as phases being cancelled. And delays!

[@andrewyoung749]

@@spdfatomicstructure flak err well because -the country is broke. -the costs have already spiralled -the environmental damage. not everyone is convinced by the 'destroy the environment to save the environment' stuff -yet another london centric project that will probably harm the areas it 'serves' by allowing london to be within commuting distance -better rail links in the north couldve resulted from allocation of the funds there -the existing network is actually pretty fast. i know no one seems to quite grasp this ,but if you can already get from london to birmingham in 1 1/2 hours what exactly is the point of reducing that to 1 hour? how fast to people really need to do this particularly given the increasing capabilities in mobile communications? -the fares will be excruciating, making current prices look like a picnic -is this really a railway that is called for, or is it a project to show that 'look we have nice things'?

[@class917]

Hi great trip report 😊

[@ringo7561]

Great video...I just subscribed...looks like that Azimut Hotel at 21:00 minute mark would be a good hotel to chill at for a night...right next to the tracks

[@RFGfotografie]

I still find national airtravel a shame to the world. Like in America I get it. But here in Europe, certainly with the climate change bullshit, it should be banned! Trains are the way to go. Cheaper, way more comfy, faster and way more direct.

[@altavelmcnamara]

Faster? On some routes, sure. But routes like Berlin - Paris/London/Barcelona/… are much faster on a plane.

[@ameerali.ouarda]

Thayls trains are actually really dated compared to the Eurostar. The interiors are so tatty and overbearing.

[@Dogsgrove]

That’s why Eurostar have linked with them new trains

[@barrieshepherd7694]

I've never liked the Thalys external livery/colour - always struck me as very dated like 1960's LMS 🤣The inside did look tired but, as we are finding in the UK, tired insides (e.g. HST & IC 225/MkIV sets) are generally more comfortable and have a more relaxing ambiance than the 'Arc light' lit Hitachi ironing board seated IET rattlers.

[@linesided]

Am planning this route for May and see Eurostar is operating from Paris Gare de Nord to Koln - but I can't find any infos on what equipment they are running...

[@daanwolters3751]

Colone to Aachen usually takes 20 minutes with either thalys or ice tough.

[@michaelstaley2241]

Very impressive very efficient continental, what’s your opinion on uk railways generally I think it’s good but relatively expensive..

[@ashfuller3480]

Great video. It was full of useful information. I'm curious if the non vegetarian version of the meal would have been better? I have a vegetarian friend at work and he's always complaining about the vegetarian meals when he travels.

[@paulthiel5145]

I would complain about vegetarian meals as well 😂

[@allrebel]

I hope they won't drop the beautiful Thalys red livery for the Eurostar one!

[@Desi365]

I wish Thalys bought new trainsets. ICEs or AGVs, for example.

[@damcoentertainment3956]

They will probably buy the TGV M sets like SNCF, but the AGV's would be cool too.

[@Desi365]

@@damcoentertainment3956 I doubt it. I don't think the ridership justifies getting the bigger trains. I hope they keep the color scheme and above all the seats, they're fantastic, you feel like you're in your own sofa.

[@lausimeyer6558]

Great trip report! Thalys trains are outdated. They need nice new Velaros like Eurostar.

[@edsontransports9400]

I would go BERSERK (positively) if this happens.

[@schtormm]

if it ain't broke, don't fix it 😂

[@ozbolli]

Where is this weeks video?

[@peterdavidson3268]

The experience featured here would become much more universal if an effective High Speed Rail [HSR] network of lines - that is rail infrastructure enabling 250km/h or greater speeds - existed across the majority of mainland Europe, linking up ALL major population centres - not just National capitals? Sadly the current network of HSR lines is fragmented, with significant gaps, meaning that short-haul air remains an almost ubiquitous choice for the vast majority.

[@vananything]

Regarding that mini-cabin in the front: when I booked one of the very last available seats on a Thalys from Amsterdam to Brussels last year, I was surprised to find my seat was up front in that cabin. I was sitting with 3 strangers and we were all rather taken aback by the strangeness of sitting together. We ended up having a few drinks and quite a nice time, in the end. They absolutely do sell the seats up there though--without warning!--possibly only if the train is otherwise full?

[@Icereak]

I also sat in one of these seats once when booking a seat at the last minute because I missed the previous train. Its part of the Premium Class but probably assigned last when all other seats are taken.

[@stijnVDA1994]

Well the well thought out tray, was actually the ashtray...

[@SelanAzzameen]

Hope you enjoyed your stay in my hometown of Cologne. :D

[@Animalcrosser]

I love these videos! please could you review the derwent valley line?

[@samfielding8245]

Hi Midland! I have been thinking of another exhausting railway journey you could do in the UK if you were so inclined. The idea is to avoid popular stations (over 1million entries and exits), and try to achieve a goal as quickly as possible. This means you have to use less-known lines and stations! You can just about get from the northernmost station in Scotland to the southernmost without using major stations in just one day! You leave Thurso at 6:50, and change at Inverness, Perth, Edinburgh Gateway, Edinburgh Park, Falkirk Grahamston, Cumbernauld, Newton (Lanark), Maxwell Park (walk to) Crossmyloof, Kilmarnock and take the service that arrives in Stranraer at 22:56 on the same day!

[@matthillmedia]

Wonderful video, thoroughly enjoyed that. Look forward to making this journey ourselves.

[@Paul_C]

You mentioned the departure time was 7 min late, did that make a difference? Or rather, did they make up the time before arrival in Brussels?

[@amanda_wm_3261]

Another cracking upload. Thanks so much!

[@daanwolters3751]

About the meeting room, they did offer it initially, but you needed 4 premium tickets plus an additionall 200€ fee (if i remember correclty from when it still was on their site). And because of its costs, it was rarely used, so they removed it.

[@MrJimheeren]

It’s still quite popular with heads of state and government ministers though. I saw Mark Rutte and some staff use it a couple of years ago

[@lws7394]

Paris -Brussels is awesome, but someone has to explain me what is 'high speed' about the Brussels to Cologne section !! A 225 km stretch in 1h50 to 2h17 ? That is basically a journey time of an intercity ! In Holland you travel such with intercity in like 2hr and a couple of minutes , on lines and services that are restricted to 140kmh speed . So you have fairly average speeds , but pay a hefty €65-70 for a standard ticket on the day ... 😲 All for the brand logo ? 🙄

[@SelanAzzameen]

Between Aachen and Düren (around halfway between Aachen and Cologne) there is a speed limit of 160km/h because of the old PZB train protection system (with magnets and signals). Right before Düren begins the high speed line with 250km/h thanks to its newer (and more expensive) LZB train protection system (which uses a cable between the rails and a always on connection with a central server). And the line between Aachen and Cologne got only one track in each direction with Thalys, InterCity Express, InterCity, RegionalExpress, Regionalbahn and fright trains sharing it. So there is lots of traffic between those 2 citys. It is planed to update the whole Aachen-Cologne route with ETCS but. well.. it takes a while :D

[@daanwolters3751]

The north-south tunnel in Brussels is restricted to 40 km/h due to Brussels central station being in said tunnel, as well as the tunnel being a bottleneck for belgian train travel. The thalys to antwepen spends 1/4th to 1/3th of its travel time in the tunnel. And the thalys can only run 200 in Germany, as it has trouble with the german 15kV low frequency AC (france and belgium use high frequency AC)

[@mikeblatzheim2797]

​@@SelanAzzameen Well, the main issue is the alignment, being very curvy and featuring several tunnels and bridges due to the hilly terrain. In some parts speeds are even down to 120 kph. Increasing speeds here would require an all new alignment mostly in tunnels, and even then the approach into Aachen will be slow.

[@isaacokitovangu5914]

Ruby is so good

[@Desi365]

I've always loved Thalys, i confess. This brown / burgundy red color scheme, i've always felt like being in a theatre. And the noise dampening in this TGV trainset was amazing, partly because of the beefy seats i believe. This train has an atmosphere, it's priceless.

[@wildfire9782]

Only problem is Thalys makes "a billion" profit and planes loose money. Ticket prices are OUTRAGEOUS, and all normal train traffic is strictly prohibited because you MUST use high speed trains.

[@JackJackProductionsShorts]

You ask who needs planes? I respond with people with connections in Paris Charles de Gaulle

[@gideonb93]

Seems odd to refurbish the trains in the year before they change the livery to match eurostar no?

[@OMtheRails]

The livery’s staying the same to distinguish it from London Eurostar services, just the brand that’s changing 👍😁

[@geraiswaiya2347]

Good vid. Don't worry about prouncing all of em "correct" - your video is in English and addressed to English speakers! Par-ISS is fine and proper, no need for Par-EE etc. I say this as someone who speaks and pronounces the (French) lingo well enough.

[@budapestkeletistationvoices]

Then the English shouldn't be outraged when another English speaker, Joe Biden canmot pronounce the name of the English PM properly

[@derohnenamen3476]

Why don’t you speak for yourself

[@geraiswaiya2347]

​​@@derohnenamen3476 C'est ce-qu'on a fait. Et toi, tu le parles aussi?

[@lucasresno2076]

The reason we use plane rather than trains are the outrageous prices train companies in Europe try to charge us. If a train takes 10hours and costs 400€ while the plane takes only 1h30 and the ticket costs 80€, of course we will want to fly

[@buuh7592]

Thatis is false information and you should be ashamed for making such a misleading comment. I'm looking at the prices right now and if i want to go from Cologne to Paris like next month i can book a train trip that has 65€ as the cheapest price right or 135€ if i want first class. Now let's see for flights, you cannot find one under 200€ for the same destination and date. Check your souces and do better. edit: and just to add, it does NOT take 10hours, and even if the trip by train is like 1/2 hours more then the flight, take into account the time you have to be at the airport, checkin, security, etc, it's about convenience as well

[@detlefliehr2445]

Ja aber nicht in Deutschland da gehts mit maximal 200 km weiter. Deutschland ist ja so hochtechnisiert. Die Bahn will auch neu Hochgeschwindigkeitszüge einführen. Sie nennen sich Adler ........

[@cptpawn7035]

Thalys is now Eurostar cant wait for Eurostar trains in germany

[@edsontransports9400]

Me too

[@LiamWalsheliamskitchen]

I once got to travel in the little meeting room after a bunch of irregular operations canceled my train. Basically there were no seat reservations on the train that I got on and I was lucky to get one of the four seats in there. One of the other passengers sitting with me was none other than Judith Sargentini - (now former) EU Parliament member. It's also where I encountered my first Karen, who demanded that I move from my seat.

[@jeanjacques9980]

Is there a direct high speed service between Paris and Berlin? Shame to see catering facilities downgraded on new trains. Why the speed restrictions in Germany for the train 300kph?

[@MrJimheeren]

There is no direct service between Berlin and Paris you have to switch trains in Cologne or Duisburg. And the speed restrictions are in place for the Thalys because unlike the ICE Thalys has two very heavy locomotives pulling and pushing the consist, so the ballast is different then an EMU like the ICE3m. And the rails simply can’t handle 300km/h

[@jeanjacques9980]

@@MrJimheeren Thank you for the explanation, rather technical. In my ignorance a high speed train is a high speed train. Seems odd the two principle cities in Europe not having a fast direct service to compete with airlines, or maybe an overnight sleeper service?

[@jeanjacques9980]

Thinking about this, are ICE3 trains much lighter than Thalys trains? Don’t understand ballast comment, is the line incapable of running any trains at 300kph? The reason I ask is that I’m ignorant of the technicalities of rail services, I assumed that 300kph is the standard speed for high speed rail services and speeds may increase to 350kph capability?

[@MrJimheeren]

@@jeanjacques9980 to make it simple rails all over the world can carry different kind of loads (the harder the ground the stronger the rails). Aachen and Cologne lay on pretty soft soil. Because of the design of the Thalys the power cars put a lot of load pressure on the rails (two huge engines carried by only 4 boogies) so while the train itself might weigh the same as an ICE3 (maybe even less) but because of the way it’s built it can damage the track if not managed carefully. Basically the ICE has better weight distribution on the account that it is an Electrical Multiple Unit then the TGV Atlantique (two power cars with 8 unpowered cars)

[@jeanjacques9980]

@@MrJimheeren Thank you for explanation, Thalys trains have two very heavy engines front and rear. The ICE trains have smaller power units attached to the bogies throughout the train, thus spreading the load of the engine(s) to all carriages. Less wear and tear and lower track construction costs.

[@mstrmren]

When you compare Thalys and airplane prices you'll see why people prefer to fly.

[@edsontransports9400]

Not bad at all now.

[@Dogsgrove]

Can you imagine uk having HS1-3 mass hysteria.. EU does it better

[@SeaUsername]

why cant we have high speed trains in the UK :(

[@andrewyoung749]

we literally do...

[@SeaUsername]

@@andrewyoung749 we literally dont. just 125mph, and a short section at 135

[@boudivv]

1 it is more expensive than flying. 2 you always end on one end of Paris (Nord) to go by metro to the other end of Paris (gare Lyon) to continue your trip. It is one big disaster of you travel beyond Paris.

[@simonevanmuiswinkel9464]

It is not more expensive than flying, esp. when booked well in advance. It's not longer than flying (within Europe). We are all aware that flying, esp. post Covid, takes a lot of extra time in customs, security, delays, etc. So from city centre to city centre the train is faster. (Not even to speak about the environment, another subject.) For example I travelled Amsterdam to Paris city centres by plane in about 5-6 hours (excl delays), and with Thalys in 3,5 hours. And it seems quite ridiculous to argument that arriving at central Paris Nord (where you can have a fast metro to gare de Lyon) is worse than by plane, when you arrive at far away Ch. de Gaule, and have to travel into town for a long time.

[@camotech1314]

Never been a fan of the Eurostar livery, kind of looks like a high viz jacket.

[@Lord-Wolfie]

Planes are way better!

[@edogrol7482]

To ruin the planet? Sure...

[@Paul_C]

Wrong, you arrive at the city centre. Basically the check-in time, the trip to the airport and the trip to your destination is included. But hey, you like to waste time I think.

[@nick_czem_nick656]

@@Paul_C Flying cheap is, well, cheap. By train, even second class, one still feels like a human being.