Echidnatow
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- September 2016
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I arrive at CDG at 16:35pm on 8 September 2016. I'm hoping to catch the latest train to Biarritz.
Hi Echidnatow! Welcome to the forum!
That's late to make it to Bayonne by train on the same day. However, if you don't want to stay overnight in Paris, you could avoid it by taking the last train from CDG airport to Bordeaux. Stay overnight in Bordeaux and continue next day by train to Bayonne. Once in Bayonne, take another train to SJPP. For info about trains in France (where to look for schedules, where to buy them...), take a look at www.seat61.com/France-trains.htm
Hi Echidnatow! Welcome to the forum!
That's late to make it to Bayonne by train on the same day. However, if you don't want to stay overnight in Paris, you could avoid it by taking the last train from CDG airport to Bordeaux. Stay overnight in Bordeaux and continue next day by train to Bayonne. Once in Bayonne, take another train to SJPP. For info about trains in France (where to look for schedules, where to buy them...), take a look at www.seat61.com/France-trains.htm
SNCF is the service provider
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers
Paris has 6 trains stations plus CDG 2 and Massy.
There are TGV trains to Bayonne (terminating in Irun/Hendaye and usually with a transfer at Bordeaux and sometimes at Dax) from CDG 2, Montparnasse, and Massy.
Note you will want to get off the train at Bayonne and not at Biarritz. The TER train to SJPdP leaves from Bayonne.
Allow at least two hours after flight arrival to board a train from CDG.
It takes about 1:15 to travel from CDG to Montparnasse.
The last trains leave too early for you to catch. You might consider taking the 1928 from Montparnasse and spending the night in Bordeaux. If I were you ... after a long flight ... find a place to stay in Roissy, Paris, or Massy.
Another option. I always use Captaintrain.
https://www.captaintrain.com/search/
A good hotel/hostel option in Paris is the OOPS Budget Hotel. Easy to get to on the metro and only 2 stops from Montparnasse Station where the vast majority of trains towards Bayonne leave from.
Regards
Gerard
SNCF is the service provider
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers
Paris has 6 trains stations plus CDG 2 and Massy.
There are TGV trains to Bayonne (terminating in Irun/Hendaye and usually with a transfer at Bordeaux and sometimes at Dax) from CDG 2, Montparnasse, and Massy.
Note you will want to get off the train at Bayonne and not at Biarritz. The TER train to SJPdP leaves from Bayonne.
Allow at least two hours after flight arrival to board a train from CDG.
It takes about 1:15 to travel from CDG to Montparnasse.
The last trains leave too early for you to catch. You might consider taking the 1928 from Montparnasse and spending the night in Bordeaux. If I were you ... after a long flight ... find a place to stay in Roissy, Paris, or Massy.
I found that French train stations and ticket machines would not accept my Australian credit card, so be prepared to pay cash!
Quick question please - when you say it takes 1:15 hours from CDG to Montparnasse - did you mean by local train (metro)? or bus?
Gracias Gerard - I checked out the OOPS but I ended up booking a night with a hotel near the CDG - with a shuttle bus, to and from the CDG. At this time, I'm assuming I'll return to the CDG the next morning and either make my way by train or bus (as suggested by mspath above) to Montparnasse Station, to catch the train to Bayonne. Yes, captaintrain had some ticket info, I'll check that next. Thanks again.
If you're staying near CDG airport and heading back there in the morning, there's no need to make your way into Paris (to Montparnasse) unless you're planning on staying there too - you can catch the train direct from the airport to Bordeaux, and change there for Bayonne - very easy, just a platform change and avoids battling with city crowds and multiple stops. There are several trains a day, and they are high-speed ones with minimal stops. You can buy a ticket for Bayonne at the TGV station at CDG (either in the ticket office or at one of the self-service machines) which will include the change at Bordeaux. Much, much easier than going into central Paris if you don't need to.
TGV (fast train) seats are all reserved/ assigned. Usually you can choose either an aisle or by a window. On TGV trains there is often a bar car. You can thus order a coffee, sit and watch the world go by.
If you want to be sure of getting the seat you want on a specific train then you can also book online in advance and pick your ticket up at the station. I've done that many times and find it quite easy. With those trains you always get a specific seat number, so you can't just sit anywhere, but then it does mean you're guaranteed a seat. If you don't want to book online another option would be to head over to the station before going to your hotel, get a ticket for the next day.Love, love, this option. If you can buy a ticket at the CDG, there must always be seats available (even if you have to wait for a certain train). I would love a window seat on all legs - do you get allocated seats when you buy your ticket?
If you want to be sure of getting the seat you want on a specific train then you can also book online in advance and pick your ticket up at the station. I've done that many times and find it quite easy. With those trains you always get a specific seat number, so you can't just sit anywhere, but then it does mean you're guaranteed a seat. If you don't want to book online another option would be to head over to the station before going to your hotel, get a ticket for the next day.
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