change of plans, Paris to St. Jean, Frances again

[Jim McMurtrie]

After researching the Portugese we have decided to do the Frances again, but this time flying into Paris and then to SJPdP. Need some suggestions on getting from Paris,

 

[Rick M]

Spend the night (or even better, 3!) in Paris, then take the TGV from Montparnasse station in central Paris to Bayonne. Its about a 3 hour trip. Change over to the pilgrim train to St. Jean in Bayonne, there are several per day, but check the schedule. That trip is under an hour. Buy train tickets on trainline.eu. You can't get them until 90 days ahead of time. The only tricky part here is getting from the airport to Montparnasse, which can be done by train (trickiest - RER-B), bus, or taxi.

Buen Camino

 

[tomnorth]

Spend the night (or even better, 3!) in Paris, then take the TGV from Montparnasse station in central Paris to Bayonne. Its about a 3 hour trip. Change over to the pilgrim train to St. Jean in Bayonne, there are several per day, but check the schedule. That trip is under an hour. Buy train tickets on trainline.eu. You can't get them until 90 days ahead of time. The only tricky part here is getting from the airport to Montparnasse, which can be done by train (trickiest - RER-B), bus, or taxi.

Buen Camino

Last time I took the train from the airport, not knowing that that train trip took much longer than the one from Montparnasse. I’ll be taking your advice this time around. I was wondering how to get to Montparnasse from the airport. If I spend the night somewhere near there the issue becomes a bit easier.

 

[Robo]

I have tried two different ways:

1. TGV from Gare Montparnasse to Bayonne and Express Bouricott from there.
2. Cheap flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Biarritz and and Express Bouricott from there.

I think I preferred the TGV as door to door it's faster, and also it's nice to have a view......

I did the flight this year only because of the train strike, but that worked fine too.

Whatever you do, stay at least 1 night in Paris!

 

[Robo]

Last time I took the train from the airport, not knowing that that train trip took much longer than the one from Montparnasse. I’ll be taking your advice this time around. I was wondering how to get to Montparnasse from the airport. If I spend the night somewhere near there the issue becomes a bit easier.

There is a 'Bus Direct' from Charles de Gaulle to Gare Montparnasse @tomnorth
I then stay in a Hotel close to the Gare.
And that's only a short walk from the Louvre, the Seine etc . Maybe 3 kms.

 

[Rick M]

Last time I took the train from the airport, not knowing that that train trip took much longer than the one from Montparnasse. I’ll be taking your advice this time around. I was wondering how to get to Montparnasse from the airport. If I spend the night somewhere near there the issue becomes a bit easier.

It IS a bit tricky, but its how a local would do it. In CDG, follow the signs that say "Paris By Train" . Its a bit of a walk from terminals 2E and 2F, which is likely where you are coming from. Go down the escalator. Buy a ticket for the RER from a machine. It was 10 euro last time I did it. Find the RER-B platform, and get on the next train. You may need to ask someone where to stand, as its confusing for some. I would get off at station Port Royale, after about 40 minutes, and walk west on Montparnasse blvd. Its not even a kilometer to the station from there. There are hotels of all shapes and sizes near the station. I expect a google search will find better instructions than these..........

 

[tomnorth]

It IS a bit tricky, but its how a local would do it. In CDG, follow the signs that say "Paris By Train" . Its a bit of a walk from terminals 2E and 2F, which is likely where you are coming from. Go down the escalator. Buy a ticket for the RER from a machine. It was 10 euro last time I did it. Find the RER-B platform, and get on the next train. You may need to ask someone where to stand, as its confusing for some. I would get off at station Port Royale, after about 40 minutes, and walk west on Montparnasse blvd. Its not even a kilometer to the station from there. There are hotels of all shapes and sizes near the station. I expect a google search will find better instructions than these..........

Fabulous! Thanks. I have had some experience on the Metro in Paris, so I’m hopeful I can figure it out. I already searched out hotels on Booking.com and found quite a few nearby Gare Montparnasse.

 

[CAJohn]

Le Bus Direct isn't tricky at all. It will take you from CDG to Gare Montparnass. I prefer this now to dealing with the RER when tired from a long trip.

 

[Robo]

Le Bus Direct isn't tricky at all. It will take you from CDG to Gare Montparnass. I prefer this now to dealing with the RER when tired from a long trip.

Although..........this year it was a real 'bun fight' trying to get onto the bus. We waited ages as they were filling up so quickly.

Hanging around near Gare Montparnasse you can play 'spot the Pilgrim'

 

[Malachiuri]

Fly. Easyjey has dirt cheap flights that take about a hour and a half tops. in 2017 I took the train south and it was a huge pain. This year we flew down and it was a fantastic decision.

I am at my vacation home in north west France and lots of us here are frankly done with the trains till things improve. Between the rail strikes, the lack of maint, constant delays and cost compared to local flights, we are tending to use the airlines. Breaks my heart, I love the rail systems in the EU, it is part of the reason we started staying here for months at a time.

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Hi Jim
Last May we flew to from Paris to Biarritz then bus to Bayonne then another bus to St.John. The previous year I left Barcelona to Pamplona by train then by bus to St. John. Out of the two I prefer th start the journey from Barcelona. Buen Camino.

 

[tomnorth]

There is a 'Bus Direct' from Charles de Gaulle to Gare Montparnasse @tomnorth
I then stay in a Hotel close to the Gare.
And that's only a short walk from the Louvre, the Seine etc . Maybe 3 kms.

Where does the bus pick up?

 

[SteveV]

After researching the Portugese we have decided to do the Frances again, but this time flying into Paris and then to SJPdP. Need some suggestions on getting from Paris,

Take. LeBus ( yes that’s the name) from CDG TO mount Parnesse train station. Easy to get bus at CDG.

 

[SteveV]

Take. LeBus ( yes that’s the name) from CDG TO mount Parnesse train station. Easy to get bus at CDG.

High speed train to Bayonne, then regional train to SJPDP. WATCH your connection time. Get the earliest high speed train in Paris so you don’t get to Bayonne then RER TO SJPDP.

 

[SteveV]

High speed train to Bayonne, then regional train to SJPDP. WATCH your connection time. Get the earliest high speed train in Paris so you don’t get to Bayonne then RER TO SJPDP.

too late to eat and rest.

 

[Cicada]

Spend the night (or even better, 3!) in Paris, then take the TGV from Montparnasse station in central Paris to Bayonne. Its about a 3 hour trip. Change over to the pilgrim train to St. Jean in Bayonne, there are several per day, but check the schedule. That trip is under an hour. Buy train tickets on trainline.eu. You can't get them until 90 days ahead of time. The only tricky part here is getting from the airport to Montparnasse, which can be done by train (trickiest - RER-B), bus, or taxi.

Buen Camino

Make that 6 hours

 

[Robo]

Where does the bus pick up?

Hi @tomnorth . The bus leaves from the Airport Terminal downstairs.
Though it was bit confusing at our terminal. There are 3 or 4 different routes and bus your ticket from the machine.

Then as each bus arrives there is a rush of people throwing their bags in the storage under the bus before scrambling to get on....... and all the while you are trying to figure out if this is your Bus
But it works fine.

all the details and pickup locations are on here in English.
https://www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/cdg-airport-paris-gare-montparnasse-line.html

I would certainly use it again (have twice now)