Make tracks on Europe's high-speed train lines

LUXEMBOURG — "Where is the fast train to Paris?" I ask the man with the suitcase.

"Right here," he says, pointing to the nondescript train on the track.

I have no time to lose. I hurry to the right coach. Lift my suitcase overhead to a shelf. Sit down at 9:53 a.m. in assigned seat No. 43.

At exactly 9:54, the train glides away with no announcements at all.

Two hours and 11 minutes later, we're in Paris.

Europe's fast trains are pure pleasure.

The confusing part for Americans is figuring out the logistics of riding them.

How do you get a ticket, and should you buy it in advance? What's the difference between a fast train and a regular train? How do you find the right station and track? Where do you stand on the platform? How do you get your ticket punched?

Your ignorance stands out because most people riding Europe's trains already know the ropes.

But it's not hopeless. Learn a few insider tricks, and you'll be good to go.

There basically are two kinds of trains in Europe — regular and high-speed.

Confusingly, each country's high-speed service is called by a different name.

The Belgians have Thalys (pronounced TAL-is). The British have Eurostar. The French have TGV. The Spanish have AVE, and so on.

All of them are very, very fast. Most speed along at around 186 miles per hour — about 100 mph faster than pokey U.S. trains.

I recommend buying tickets for fast trains before leaving the United States. Why? Most require reserved seats. They can sell out. And the farther in advance you book, the better the price. (For example, a first-class, one-way Thalys ticket from Amsterdam to Brussels was $86 booked in advance and $180 if bought the day of travel.)

I purchased three tickets through Rail Europe a month before my trip: Thalys between Amsterdam and Brussels ($86), the Belgian Railway intercity regular train on to Luxembourg ($50), and TGV from Luxembourg to Paris ($86).

All of the tickets worked. Every train was on time. And the rails are smooth and flawless; my tea barely jiggled in its cup.

By 2010, 25 million international travelers will ride Europe's high-speed trains, according to Railteam, an alliance of Europe's high-speed railways.

More countries link to the system every year. New Thalys service soon will link Cologne, Germany, with Amsterdam in 3 hours, 15 minutes. High-speed trains can take you everywhere in France these days. Even the Czech Republic and Hungary have gotten into the act.