As mentioned in the last post, the train that we planned to take from Koblenz after lunch was delayed by at least an hour. After a look at the yellow train schedule posted on every platform, we walked quickly to another platform to get on a slower train to Frankfurt so that we could continue our journey south to Baden-Baden. Arriving in Frankfurt, looking once again at the schedule, we found a train leaving in 7 minutes that would get us to Karlsruhe. We were not sure that our pass would be valid for that train because it was a TGV high-speed (French) train and we had not planned on using these in Germany. But it seemed logical and we quickly got over to the platform but the train was not there. Upon looking at the overhead electronic sign, we found the TGV on the adjacent track on the same platform. The conductor was already signaling final boarding and we quickly boarded the train and found seats. Most seats were reserved but only for portions of the train’s route, which went to Paris with only a handful of stops.

The TGV is one of the fastest trains in Europe, routinely achieving speeds in excess of 300 km/hr. Our trip to Karlsruhe required a bit over an hour, with a top speed of 280 km/hr. DB (German) trains are about as fast on this route, but we would have had to wait longer in Frankfurt. Our pass was good, although the conductor had some questions about our written log (which is required for Eurail pass holders). Although there was WiFi on the train, we had no login because we were not customers of the TGV, and had not downloaded their app.

We knew that Karlsruhe is close to Baden-Baden and were looking forward to getting off and finding out when we could get to our hotel as it was past 6pm. Then the door to exit the train would not open. We were at the front of a long line of people waiting to exit our car and the electronic door switch did not activate. It was a frustrating couple of minutes as Brian continued to press the button to open the door and we contemplated the possibility that the train would continue to Strasbourg, France in another minute. Finally, the door opened and we were out on the platform.

Upon reading the train schedule, we found a train to Baden-Baden leaving in 3 minutes. We raced to the platform (only a couple flights of stairs and a short walk in the tunnel under the tracks) and arrived as the train was just getting there. It was a small, yellow, two-car train that was probably one of the slowest in Germany. It stopped at every station on the way to Baden-Baden. There were no electronic signs so we had to listen to the announcements (in German) carefully to determine when to get off. It is only a 27km trip but took 30 minutes. After getting to the station, a fifteen minute bus ride got us to within walking distance of our hotel. After a steep climb up some stairs, we found the Hotel Rathausglöckel (meaning city hall bell). What a journey! This was only possible with a rail pass that allows travel on many company’s trains without tickets or reservations.

• Europe 2018