Planes, trains and busses.... how does this looK?

[wendolin]

Hello Friends!
I can not tell you how helpful all of your wonderful comments and suggestions have been. This is truly a group of amazing people. I was wondering if some of you might take a look at my sample travel itinerary from CDG (paris) to SJDP? I am open to any suggestions. I am not an experienced traveler and I would like to know if I have made the best choices for my trip. And the "best choices" have morphed from most fun to cheapest, to quickest and now Safest. ;/ open to suggestions. I was originally going to "wing it" from Paris but a more settled direct approach seems better advised at this time. Thoughts?
also, is anyone arriving paris that morning?
And again, Thank you so much in advance.
Hugs from Texas!

arrive CDG 9:35 am

• 10h16CHARLES DE GAULLE 2 TGVTGV 5202 | 2nd class
• Duration4h21
• 14h37BORDEAUX SAINT JEAN

Connection : 1h14

• 15h51BORDEAUX SAINT JEANTGV 8537 | 2nd class
• Duration1h43
• 17h34BAYONNE

18:06BAYONNE19:12ST JEAN PIED DE P 1h 06m
Direct TER

then...... ???? to Beilari hopefully in time for dinner.

 

[mspath]

Your schedule looks great! Now just relax and enjoy the journeys.
Bon voyage and Buen camino!

 

[wendolin]

Your schedule looks great! Now just relax and enjoy the journeys.
Bon voyage and Buen camino!

Thank you mspath- I have not hut the purchase button yet and I just want to make sure I have not left any I's undated or T's crossed!

 

[mspath]

Wendolin,

Do book Beilari if you can.

MM

 

[wendolin]

Wendolin,

Do book Beilari if you can.

MM

I have, they were so accommodating.

 

[wendolin]

I am noticing That I only have 45 min to get off my plane and board the train.... Could this be an issue?

 

[mspath]

Unfortunately it could be! If the plane is late or you have checked baggage it would be too tight a connection. Furthermore now the entry controls into Schengen countries such as France are very tight. Passports often are scrutenized. Perhaps a later TGV from Paris/Montparnasse would be a solution.

 

[dougfitz]

I am noticing That I only have 45 min to get off my plane and board the train.... Could this be an issue?

Yes. In that time you will have to complete immigration procedures, collect your bags, clear customs and find your way to the station, deal with any increased security due to recent events, and queue at each stage. I don't recall being that quick through an international arrival even coming home and having the advantage of the faster immigration checks for nationals. I would consider an allowance of at least two hours in normal times, perhaps an hour more if there is increased security.

 

[wendolin]

back to the drawing board....
Thank you!

 

[whariwharangi]

This time appreciation and schedule is somewhat tight ... see the maps and know your connection points prior to travel. You have 2hr50 to get from plane to train.

Si yo fuera tu ... either plan to take a later train and stay in Bayonne or stay in Paris ... perhaps close to TGV Massy ... and travel to SJPdP the next day.

0935 arrival ... (allow an hour for late flight arrival, collect baggage, clear customs, get oriented, etc).

CDG
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/en

RER B train from CDG 2 to St Micheal. (note there are three connection points for RER B and Metro line 4 ... St Micheal is probably the least complicated to navigate)
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61854/rer-b/

Metro line 4 from St Micheal to Montparnasse Bienvenue (note there is a short walk from RER station to Metro at St Micheal)(note there is long walk from Metro to TGV platform)
http://www.paris-metro-map.info/paris-metro-line-4-map/

ratp interactive map for RER and Metro
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/

(Allow at least one hour from CDG to Montparnasse)

Alternatively take Air France bus #4 from CDG to Montparnasse (60 - 70 minutes)
http://en.lescarsairfrance.com/


SNCF Gare Montparnasse
http://www.gares-sncf.com/fr/gare/frpmo/paris-montparnasse

SNCF TGV Paris Montparnasse to Bayonne 1228 - 1734 ... this train does not involve transfer at Bordeaux.

SNCF TER Bayonne to SJPdP 1806 - 1912

SNCF
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

Note: I used Wed 30 March 2016 schedule

 

[TinaPEI]

I am in the same boat, trying to figure out how we will get to SJPdP. We land in Paris at 5h40. That's quite early! I don't think we'd have enough time to get to Montparnasse for 7h30 ish though, would we? I would think that we would be ok for a 10h25 train from Montparnasse though, and that would give us time to get there, and maybe wander and get a croissant from a café as well. Right? I am so excited, and now it looks like it's becoming possible to actually book a train from Paris to Bayonne as before all the sights said to wait.

 

[wendolin]

Thank you W- This is very helpful - I am not having much luck seeing the full schedules from Montparnasse in English but I will keep at it. I was trying to avoid all of the transfers and such through Paris and hoping to just hop a train straight from the airport to Bayonne. Or better yet maybe I am just hoping to be magically
teleported to SJDP. ... And so it begins...

This time appreciation and schedule is somewhat tight ... see the maps and know your connection points prior to travel. You have 2hr50 to get from plane to train.

Si yo fuera tu ... either plan to take a later train and stay in Bayonne or stay in Paris ... perhaps close to TGV Massy ... and travel to SJPdP the next day.

0935 arrival ... (allow an hour for late flight arrival, collect baggage, clear customs, get oriented, etc).

CDG
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/en

RER B train from CDG 2 to St Micheal. (note there are three connection points for RER B and Metro line 4 ... St Micheal is probably the least complicated to navigate)
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61854/rer-b/

Metro line 4 from St Micheal to Montparnasse Bienvenue (note there is a short walk from RER station to Metro at St Micheal)(note there is long walk from Metro to TGV platform)
http://www.paris-metro-map.info/paris-metro-line-4-map/

ratp interactive map for RER and Metro
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/

(Allow at least one hour from CDG to Montparnasse)

Alternatively take Air France bus #4 from CDG to Montparnasse (60 - 70 minutes)
http://en.lescarsairfrance.com/


SNCF Gare Montparnasse
http://www.gares-sncf.com/fr/gare/frpmo/paris-montparnasse

SNCF TGV Paris Montparnasse to Bayonne 1228 - 1734 ... this train does not involve transfer at Bordeaux.

SNCF TER Bayonne to SJPdP 1806 - 1912

SNCF
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

Note: I used Wed 30 March 2016 schedule

 

[TinaPEI]

Thank you W- This is very helpful - I am not having much luck seeing the full schedules from Montparnasse in English but I will keep at it. I was trying to avoid all of the transfers and such through Paris and hoping to just hop a train straight from the airport to Bayonne. Or better yet maybe I am just h

What date are you looking at?

These are the two sites I've be mainly playing with:

http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

https://www.raileurope.ca/europe-travel-guide/france/how-to-book-train.html

 

[wendolin]

I was looking at one of the links W posted-

 

[J Willhaus]

Wendolin,
We are able to fly on EasyJet from CDG to Barritz for a very small fare. You may want to check that out unless you feel you'd rather take the train. We booked for 120 Euro for 2 people which included baggage if we needed to check our bags.At first we were also going to take the train, but a flight was cheaper and less time consuming. Flight plus the cab fair to St Jean with Caroline of Express Bouricott was very reasonable. Of course we are 2 people traveling together so the cost of train fare is less for just one.
Janet

 

[wendolin]

I think that might be the direction I am headed Janet. I have heard a lot of great things about the train ride but all things considered, a flight might be the way to go. Thank you! How far in advance did you book?!

 

[J Willhaus]

I bought my tickets for May 23 on January 30. Also got tickets back to CDG from Santiago on Vueling back in November. What date are you arriving at CDG? We are spending one night at a Paris Airport hotel on May 22 to recover a little from jet lag and then fly out to Barritz early on May 23.

 

[wendolin]

I am leaving in just a few days- thought I had it figured but turns out I have not.
Thanks you for your post and Buen Camino!

 

[whariwharangi]

Biarritz Airport BIQ indicates destinations and airlines - Air France and Easy Jet fly from CDG to BIQ and Air France HOP flies from Orly to BIQ. Allow 5 hours from CDG arrival to Orly departure.
http://en.biarritz.aeroport.fr/

Chronoplus bus #14 from Anglet Airport BIQ to Gare Bayonne
http://www.chronoplus.eu/

or

take taxi to Gare Biarritz and take SNCF train to Gare Bayonne (this is sometimes faster depending on train schedule)

then SNCF train from Bayonne to SJPdP.

 

[wendolin]

Biarritz Airport BIQ indicates destinations and airlines - Air France and Easy Jet fly from CDG to BIQ and Air France HOP flies from Orly to BIQ. Allow 5 hours from CDG arrival to Orly departure.
http://en.biarritz.aeroport.fr/

Chronoplus bus #14 from Anglet Airport BIQ to Gare Bayonne
http://www.chronoplus.eu/

or

take taxi to Gare Biarritz and take SNCF train to Gare Bayonne (this is sometimes faster depending on train schedule)

then SNCF train from Bayonne to SJPdP.

Whariwharagi - wish i could just take you in my pocket.

 

[billmclaughlin]

This all just sounds pressured to me. Nothing at all bad about chilling for a night in Bayonne unless your schedule is super tight.

And if you choose CDG, the Air France bus is by far the best way to Gare Montparnasse. By far.

And Paris can do wonders for jet lag as well.

 

[wendolin]

This all just sounds pressured to me. Nothing at all bad about chilling for a night in Bayonne unless your schedule is super tight.

And if you choose CDG, the Air France bus is by far the best way to Gare Montparnasse. By far.

And Paris can do wonders for jet lag as well.

Thank you Bill! Yes, I have decided to take the Air france #4 bus and hope to make the 12:28 connection, but if not that is exactly what I plan to do. Thank you for your post.

 

[Louise2016]

I have flown into CDG many times, and besides the time it takes to get your bags and get thru customs, it takes a lot of time to get to different terminals and a lot of navigating/walking to get to the train. Planes can be an hour late easily on a transatlantic flight. I would give myself no less than 3 hours, for taking a flight or train. 4 hours is better, even if you have to wait. Remember, a plane will board maybe 45 mins. before departure and many airlines require 1 hour check in if you are checking bags internationally. oops, just saw the last post and you have made your plans. Should be ok.

 

[wendolin]

I have flown into CDG many times, and besides the time it takes to get your bags and get thru customs, it takes a lot of time to get to different terminals and a lot of navigating/walking to get to the train. Planes can be an hour late easily on a transatlantic flight. I would give myself no less than 3 hours, for taking a flight or train. 4 hours is better, even if you have to wait. Remember, a plane will board maybe 45 mins. before departure and many airlines require 1 hour check in if you are checking bags internationally. oops, just saw the last post and you have made your plans. Should be ok.

ok, Thank you so much for the heads up1

 

[movinmaggie]

Hello Friends!
I can not tell you how helpful all of your wonderful comments and suggestions have been. This is truly a group of amazing people. I was wondering if some of you might take a look at my sample travel itinerary from CDG (paris) to SJDP? I am open to any suggestions. I am not an experienced traveler and I would like to know if I have made the best choices for my trip. And the "best choices" have morphed from most fun to cheapest, to quickest and now Safest. ;/ open to suggestions. I was originally going to "wing it" from Paris but a more settled direct approach seems better advised at this time. Thoughts?
also, is anyone arriving paris that morning?
And again, Thank you so much in advance.
Hugs from Texas!

arrive CDG 9:35 am

• 10h16CHARLES DE GAULLE 2 TGVTGV 5202 | 2nd class
• Duration4h21
• 14h37BORDEAUX SAINT JEAN

Connection : 1h14

• 15h51BORDEAUX SAINT JEANTGV 8537 | 2nd class
• Duration1h43
• 17h34BAYONNE

18:06BAYONNE19:12ST JEAN PIED DE P 1h 06m
Direct TER

then...... ???? to Beilari hopefully in time for dinner.

And you will love Beilari. I made wonderful frienda there. It was the best way I could have started my journey.