3 Nights In Tours, Loire - Logistic issues
May 1st, 2014, 06:49 AM
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3 Nights In Tours, Loire - Logistic issues
What is the best affordable/cost effective way to get to tours, loire from CDG Airport?
I just checked the sncf website and it cost around 300Euros for 3people & 1 toddler! That sounds quite expensive.
I am very confused too, how do I get to Tours exactly? Can someone help in the simplest terms how to I get from CDG Airport to Tours?
I will be arriving 13 May 2014 7.30am at paris cdg.
1. How long is the drive from cdg airport to tours?
2. Exactly where do I take the train from the cdg airport? Which Tours station should I alight?
I just checked the sncf website and it cost around 300Euros for 3people & 1 toddler! That sounds quite expensive.
I am very confused too, how do I get to Tours exactly? Can someone help in the simplest terms how to I get from CDG Airport to Tours?
I will be arriving 13 May 2014 7.30am at paris cdg.
1. How long is the drive from cdg airport to tours?
2. Exactly where do I take the train from the cdg airport? Which Tours station should I alight?
May 1st, 2014, 07:28 AM
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Take trains from CDG TGV Terminal to St-Pierre-des-Corps, the mainline main station in Tours - from there shuttle trains ('navettes') take you the two miles or so into the dead-end Tours in town station.
I think TGVs from CDG will mainly only serve St-Pierre-des-Corps - probably no direct CDG-Tours trains as there are from Montparnasse station in Paris.
Navettes will be waiting at St-Pierre-des-Corps on an adjacent track to take you into Tours.
Driving to Tours in optimal conditions on the roads around Paris which can be very congested should take about 3 hours - go to www.mappy.com for more precise time estimates and routings.
300 euros is full fare probably - you can get discounted tickets at www.voyages-sncf.com if you book really early like weeks or months when these limited in number tickets come on the site (www.capitainetrain.com has the same fares and many say is easier to use).
For lots of great info on French trains check out these superb IMO sites: www.seat61.com - good info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Note that discounted tickets have restrictions on changing trains (the ticket is train specific) and refunds so check them out - when coming by plane you never really know when you can get to the TGV station - planes can be late, etc.
Why Tours? A big noisy city - I suggest most folks will love a smaller town like Amboise which is also more well located to day trip to some of the most famous castles.
Why Tours? Check out Amboise - a 20-minute train ride from St-Pierre-des-Corps or about a 3 hour car trek from CDG.
I think TGVs from CDG will mainly only serve St-Pierre-des-Corps - probably no direct CDG-Tours trains as there are from Montparnasse station in Paris.
Navettes will be waiting at St-Pierre-des-Corps on an adjacent track to take you into Tours.
Driving to Tours in optimal conditions on the roads around Paris which can be very congested should take about 3 hours - go to www.mappy.com for more precise time estimates and routings.
300 euros is full fare probably - you can get discounted tickets at www.voyages-sncf.com if you book really early like weeks or months when these limited in number tickets come on the site (www.capitainetrain.com has the same fares and many say is easier to use).
For lots of great info on French trains check out these superb IMO sites: www.seat61.com - good info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Note that discounted tickets have restrictions on changing trains (the ticket is train specific) and refunds so check them out - when coming by plane you never really know when you can get to the TGV station - planes can be late, etc.
Why Tours? A big noisy city - I suggest most folks will love a smaller town like Amboise which is also more well located to day trip to some of the most famous castles.
Why Tours? Check out Amboise - a 20-minute train ride from St-Pierre-des-Corps or about a 3 hour car trek from CDG.
May 1st, 2014, 09:13 AM
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there is another rail route to Tours - the in-town Tours station from Paris-Austerlitz station - this is a non-TGV route and thus has a fairly flat fare structure so even just buying a ticket at the station means not paying a whole lot like TGV fares can be on a walk up basis.
Good for folks who do not really know when the will land and get out of Customs, baggage retrieval, etc.
These regional trains do not require seat reservations though they can be made as an option at an extra few euros when buying your ticket.
Good for folks who do not really know when the will land and get out of Customs, baggage retrieval, etc.
These regional trains do not require seat reservations though they can be made as an option at an extra few euros when buying your ticket.
May 1st, 2014, 12:07 PM
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2. Exactly where do I take the train from the CDG airport?>
The CDG TGV station is in Terminal 2 - a sprawling terminal - if arriving in other terminals take the people mover train to terminal 2 - leave plenty of time if landing in other terminals and even terminal 2.
If going into Paris to Montparnasse or Austerlitz then take the RER into Paris and change to metro for Montparnasse - for Austerlitz take the RER from CDG to the St-Michel/Notre Dame RER station and change to RER C to Austerlitz - if going to Amboise it may be nearly as quick to go to Austerlitz and take the non-TGV train that goes direct to Amboise.
The CDG TGV station is in Terminal 2 - a sprawling terminal - if arriving in other terminals take the people mover train to terminal 2 - leave plenty of time if landing in other terminals and even terminal 2.
If going into Paris to Montparnasse or Austerlitz then take the RER into Paris and change to metro for Montparnasse - for Austerlitz take the RER from CDG to the St-Michel/Notre Dame RER station and change to RER C to Austerlitz - if going to Amboise it may be nearly as quick to go to Austerlitz and take the non-TGV train that goes direct to Amboise.
May 1st, 2014, 12:16 PM
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Louise, I hope you don't mind my tagging along with another question to our train experts...
PalenQ, I'm going to Amboise immediately upon arriving at CDG also. We've decided to forgo a rental car and enjoy renting bikes in the village etc.
Your description means taking three trains to get to Amboise: CDG to St.Michel, then to Austerlitz, then to Amboise.
Versus taking TGV from CDG to SPDC, then on to Amboise.
Would the cost be similar for both? And can three "regular" trains be almost as quick as a high speed plus one regular?
Thanks!
PalenQ, I'm going to Amboise immediately upon arriving at CDG also. We've decided to forgo a rental car and enjoy renting bikes in the village etc.
Your description means taking three trains to get to Amboise: CDG to St.Michel, then to Austerlitz, then to Amboise.
Versus taking TGV from CDG to SPDC, then on to Amboise.
Would the cost be similar for both? And can three "regular" trains be almost as quick as a high speed plus one regular?
Thanks!
May 1st, 2014, 12:52 PM
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I'd rent a car, which I did when we visited the Loire Valley, and I'd NOT stay in Tours, which is congested and lacks charm (yes, there are places in France that lack charm) and is not particularly convenient to Chambord or Chenonceau Chateaux.
May 1st, 2014, 02:30 PM
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joan - I was only presenting many options simply because if you cannot get a discounted fare on TGV or do not want such a fare with restrictions on changing due to the mysteries of landing - that if you want to be able to go to Austerlitz and not pay a ton.
And the TGVs from CDG to St-Pierre-des-Corps are not all that regular - some gaps fo 3-4 hours maybe - so going into Paris may not be all bad. And how much time to transfer to trains at St-Pierre-des-Corps for Amboise, etc.
If renting a car I'd consider taking a train to S-P-Corps and picking it up there - after an all night flight could be tired - a bevy of car rental agencies by the station.
And the TGVs from CDG to St-Pierre-des-Corps are not all that regular - some gaps fo 3-4 hours maybe - so going into Paris may not be all bad. And how much time to transfer to trains at St-Pierre-des-Corps for Amboise, etc.
If renting a car I'd consider taking a train to S-P-Corps and picking it up there - after an all night flight could be tired - a bevy of car rental agencies by the station.
May 1st, 2014, 03:20 PM
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Sighs all these options seemed extremely daunting.
Is there a taxi/cab that will bring us to tours/amboise? How much will that cost?
I reckon driving to Loire will be the cheapest - how long is the driving distance?
However my hubby absolutely hates to drive and refused to do it and I do not have any driving license. The reason I'm going tours is bc we will be taking public transport and will not be driving.
Sighs I'm such a bad planner - shd have done the tours thingy after the Paris trip and not before. This is getting to be so difficult
Is there a taxi/cab that will bring us to tours/amboise? How much will that cost?
I reckon driving to Loire will be the cheapest - how long is the driving distance?
However my hubby absolutely hates to drive and refused to do it and I do not have any driving license. The reason I'm going tours is bc we will be taking public transport and will not be driving.
Sighs I'm such a bad planner - shd have done the tours thingy after the Paris trip and not before. This is getting to be so difficult
May 1st, 2014, 03:27 PM
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Joan how do you intend to go to amboise from cdg directly? By bike are u referring to motorbikes or bicycle my apologies? That is so adventurous.
I really feel like giving up and just train to uk by Eurostar.
Palenq, the 300euros are the discounted fares by voyage SNCF already - freakingly expensive.
I really feel like giving up and just train to uk by Eurostar.
Palenq, the 300euros are the discounted fares by voyage SNCF already - freakingly expensive.
May 1st, 2014, 03:30 PM
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Or can anyone recommend another destination with a direct access either by train or bus under 2 hrs that does not cost so freakingly expensive?
I saw a id bus to Lillie that cost only 45euros for the 3 of us. What is Lille like??
I saw a id bus to Lillie that cost only 45euros for the 3 of us. What is Lille like??
May 1st, 2014, 04:10 PM
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No one is contemplating riding a bike from CDG to Amboise. The poster was talking about renting a bike IN Amboise to tour the nearby countryside.
Am not sure what you want to do in the LOire - for most people it's the chateaux. And seeing them from Tours will require that you take a number of local tours by small bus or van - since they are mostly in the deep countryside.
It sounds like you have waited until the last moment to buy train tickets (since prices are so high) and I'm not sure what makes you thing the Eurostar to London would be less (they also increase prices significantly as you get closer to the the travel date).
we toured the area by car - picked it up at CDG after an overnight flight and the drive to Chinon wasn't onerous - but it was a Sunday am in early May - and we picked the car up at about 7:30 am.
Am not sure what you want to do in the LOire - for most people it's the chateaux. And seeing them from Tours will require that you take a number of local tours by small bus or van - since they are mostly in the deep countryside.
It sounds like you have waited until the last moment to buy train tickets (since prices are so high) and I'm not sure what makes you thing the Eurostar to London would be less (they also increase prices significantly as you get closer to the the travel date).
we toured the area by car - picked it up at CDG after an overnight flight and the drive to Chinon wasn't onerous - but it was a Sunday am in early May - and we picked the car up at about 7:30 am.
May 1st, 2014, 05:39 PM
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oic my apologies for misunderstanding. There are last minute deals to UK for Euro88 2 way per person - so that would be around 264Euros. But UK is more straightforward as my husband has been there before.
I also think renting a car is the best solution but my hubby is not cooperative at all sighs.
I also think renting a car is the best solution but my hubby is not cooperative at all sighs.
May 1st, 2014, 05:50 PM
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I have managed to get this alternative.
MARNE LA VALLEE DISNEYLAND PARIS AIX EN PROVENCE TGV
4 passengers Price: 191.00 €
Date of travel:
13 May 2014
Outward
Departing at :
12h11
From (station) :
MARNE LA VALLEE TGV
Transporteur :
TGV
Numéro du train :
5164
Facilities
1st class
Arriving at :
15h31
In (station) :
AIX EN PROVENCE TGV
Date of travel:
16 May 2014
Return
Departing at :
14h09
From (station) :
AIX EN PROVENCE TGV
Transporteur :
OUIGO
Numéro du train :
6286
Services à bord :
Facilities
single comfort class
I will probably need to take a 54Euro train from CDG airport to Marne La Valle for the outbound trip. And hopefully I can take the RER train from Marne La Valle to Paris Les Halles/Chatelet?
MARNE LA VALLEE DISNEYLAND PARIS AIX EN PROVENCE TGV
4 passengers Price: 191.00 €
Date of travel:
13 May 2014
Outward
Departing at :
12h11
From (station) :
MARNE LA VALLEE TGV
Transporteur :
TGV
Numéro du train :
5164
Facilities
1st class
Arriving at :
15h31
In (station) :
AIX EN PROVENCE TGV
Date of travel:
16 May 2014
Return
Departing at :
14h09
From (station) :
AIX EN PROVENCE TGV
Transporteur :
OUIGO
Numéro du train :
6286
Services à bord :
Facilities
single comfort class
I will probably need to take a 54Euro train from CDG airport to Marne La Valle for the outbound trip. And hopefully I can take the RER train from Marne La Valle to Paris Les Halles/Chatelet?
May 2nd, 2014, 04:35 AM
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Thanks PalenQ! Since I am so far ahead of schedule, I can get those train tix at a better price than poor Louise!
Louise, if cost is a concern, just wondering, but won't Disneyland for four be quite expensive? And would your toddler appreciate it at such a young age? Forgive me for intruding, just thought I'd mention, when my kids were little, they like the hotel pool etc just as much as the $100 admission to Disneyworld here in Florida....
Louise, if cost is a concern, just wondering, but won't Disneyland for four be quite expensive? And would your toddler appreciate it at such a young age? Forgive me for intruding, just thought I'd mention, when my kids were little, they like the hotel pool etc just as much as the $100 admission to Disneyworld here in Florida....
May 2nd, 2014, 07:33 AM
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http://www.aquaboulevard.fr/aquaboul...html#/homePage
I kind of agree with Joan - and in Paris itself Aqua Boulevard is a fun thing for kids and adults of all ages!
I kind of agree with Joan - and in Paris itself Aqua Boulevard is a fun thing for kids and adults of all ages!
May 2nd, 2014, 09:15 AM
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Thanks PalenQ! Since I am so far ahead of schedule, I can get those train tix at a better price than poor Louise!>
that's one reason I gave the Austerlitz TER train route - flat fare - well can get a small discount - that would never approach Louise's price - I imagine it would be about half of that but not sure.
that's one reason I gave the Austerlitz TER train route - flat fare - well can get a small discount - that would never approach Louise's price - I imagine it would be about half of that but not sure.
May 2nd, 2014, 11:54 AM
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Yes there are huge gaps in direct CDG-TGV trains to St-Pierre-des-Corps - like between 10:16 and 3 pm - a gap of nearly five hours - this is why it may behoove you to go into Paris and take either of the two routes to Amboise or Tours. Or wait forever at the airport.
May 2nd, 2014, 12:42 PM
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Louise,
No expert on this at all, and I am throwing this out only because you mentioned considering the UK as an alternative, but what is the cost of the train to Avignon? The area is gorgeous with lots to do and, though most rent cars there, we did not and still had a wonderful time visiting Arles, Aix, etc.
Another option from Paris is Bruges for two or three days. You could even do a day trip to Ghent.
Like others, If because of cost, it came down to a great, authentic European experience or Disney, I would skip Disney.
No expert on this at all, and I am throwing this out only because you mentioned considering the UK as an alternative, but what is the cost of the train to Avignon? The area is gorgeous with lots to do and, though most rent cars there, we did not and still had a wonderful time visiting Arles, Aix, etc.
Another option from Paris is Bruges for two or three days. You could even do a day trip to Ghent.
Like others, If because of cost, it came down to a great, authentic European experience or Disney, I would skip Disney.
May 2nd, 2014, 01:16 PM
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Louise, I have no idea where you went wrong, but I just checked www.voyages-sncf.com for trains on May 13 for three adults and a toddler, and the very highest fares for all 4 of you I came up with were 177.90 euros. Some fares were closer to 120 euros. And that's having waiting until practically the very last minute, when fares are highest.
Where on earth did you find the fare you found?
Where on earth did you find the fare you found?
