I rode on a high-speed double-decker train in Europe that goes up to 186 miles per hour and puts Amtrak to shame

The station was packed, though there were plenty of places to eat or sit before boarding the train. Also available were €6 lockers for those that need to store luggage.

And, there is a clean restroom in the middle of the chaos, but it'll cost €1 — so it's best to have some coins on hand.

The 45 minutes was more than enough time as the tracks were within a few minutes walk from the station entrance — no bag check, no security, and no boarding gates.

I was automatically assigned the seat but was able to indicate a single window seat as my preference during booking. This is also when people can choose upper or lower deck seating.

There were also quad and duo-seating around me, with tables in between the sets of four — perfect for families or meetings.

My laptop easily fit on the tray table and I felt like I had plenty of space to store my backpack and charging cables.

The seat pitch and recline were incredible compared to airlines and I can imagine the former would be helpful for taller travelers.

The WiFi on Thalys wasn't as spotty, though I find that, in general, airplane internet is typically faster than on trains.

I was a little worried about theft, but since I could see my suitcase at all times I felt it was safe. I kept my backpack under the seat in front of me though.

While views from 35,000 feet are nice, I love seeing the rural parts of Europe that I don't get to experience very often.

It was fun to walk up the stairs to the little bar area. I also noticed some one-off chairs in the hallways that could be used to make a private phone call.

I liked the little dining area and can imagine it'd be a quiet spot to stretch your legs or get some alone time.

Other options included chocolate cake, quiche, yogurt, a ham sandwich, chicken casserole, gnocchetti pasta, a giant pretzel, and a beef burger, among others.

The quinoa salad had lima beans, chic peas, and a vinaigrette dressing, while the sandwich had poppy seed bread and vegetables.

Next time, I'd skip the meal and eat before or after the ride or bring my own food. Though, I could probably get by on the buffet car's simple snacks, like the pretzel.

It reminded me of any typical train bathroom, though the bidet's on the bullet trains in Japan will always be the best.

The wings around the headrest helped me cocoon myself into the seat and easily sleep, though the fact I was pretty fatigued from a red-eye flight also helped me rest.

One of the biggest advantages of train travel is the convenience of being dropped off in city centers rather than on the outskirts of town, which is where many international airports sit — including those in Paris. 

Both Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports are at least 45 minutes from my hotel, versus 10 minutes from Paris Est station.

The journey included the time it took to get on the train, plus the train ride itself and the metro to my hotel.

That takes into account arriving at the airport two hours before departure, the time waiting for baggage claim, as well as the commute to the hotel from Charles de Gaulle.

Plus, the weather can have a bigger impact on planes compared to trains, so there is less chance of a delay or cancellation.

In fact, Google actually displays the Deutsche Bahn train — Germany's national rail operator — as an option when searching for flights between Frankfurt and Paris.

For future planning, I'd likely opt for the train again over a plane given the price and convenience.

I upgraded to first class for only a few dollars more than coach, but the main differences are really just comfort and guaranteed proximity to the buffet car.

The only warning is that the coach section does have more seats, so it could be louder and more crowded than the first class cars.