CDG to Blois
May 28th, 2007, 12:03 PM
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CDG to Blois
I need to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to the town of Blois. Any advice? I have been consulting scnf.com but am still confused. I can either go from CDG to the Austerlitz station and get a train to Blois or a direct train from CDG to Blois. I am lacking in the details of either trip and would like advice as to the best way. Thank you.
May 28th, 2007, 12:30 PM
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The name of the French rail company is SNCF (you have the c and n mixed up). Here's the official website:
http://www.voyages-sncf.com
Put "Roissy" in the departure station and "Blois" in the arrival station.
http://www.voyages-sncf.com
Put "Roissy" in the departure station and "Blois" in the arrival station.
May 28th, 2007, 02:16 PM
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Yes, I was having a dyslexic moment. I have been to the correct site. My question now is: There is a very big difference in price between pick up in France and USA. Can I expect to purchase a ticket at CDG on the day I arrive or do I need to pay the extra fees to have a reservation and have it delivered.
May 28th, 2007, 02:32 PM
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On the SNCF Website, when you start the process, at the bottom of the page you are asked "county of pickup", with the default set to France. You will automatically be redirected to RailEurope (higher price)if you have changed that to the USA. Try keeping the "France" option, and it should allow you to order online and pickup your tickets there- you are issued a confirmation code to print. (If reservations ARE available for the train you want, you will be asked that at the time you select the train.) Make sure that you use the same credit card there to collect them as you use to make the online purchase!
May 28th, 2007, 02:33 PM
#5
hi, laurwarr,
i just had a go at "purchasing" your ticket, and found no difference if I bought in France or UK.
the 60E price [I put in 30.5.07] is the "tarrif normal" so no advantage in buying in advance.
I suppose that the train might be full, but I'd be surprised.
hope this helps,
regards, ann
i just had a go at "purchasing" your ticket, and found no difference if I bought in France or UK.
the 60E price [I put in 30.5.07] is the "tarrif normal" so no advantage in buying in advance.
I suppose that the train might be full, but I'd be surprised.
hope this helps,
regards, ann
May 28th, 2007, 03:06 PM
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As annhig says, the standard 2nd class fare from CDG to Blois is 60.30.
However, the 2nd class fare from Gare d'Austerlitz to Blois is 22.70.
A ticket on the RER from CDG to Gare d'Austerlitz costs 8.10 EUR. Take the RER B to St-Michel Notre-Dame. Transfer to the RER C and take it to Gare d'Austerlitz.
However, the 2nd class fare from Gare d'Austerlitz to Blois is 22.70.
A ticket on the RER from CDG to Gare d'Austerlitz costs 8.10 EUR. Take the RER B to St-Michel Notre-Dame. Transfer to the RER C and take it to Gare d'Austerlitz.
May 28th, 2007, 06:22 PM
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Hi, Ann.
I simply went to the timetables at sncf.com and did a price comparison. I had a general sense that TGVs would be more expensive than other trains--unless PREM'S (discount) fares were available for the route in question--and that sense turned out to be right in this case.
Tim
I simply went to the timetables at sncf.com and did a price comparison. I had a general sense that TGVs would be more expensive than other trains--unless PREM'S (discount) fares were available for the route in question--and that sense turned out to be right in this case.
Tim
May 29th, 2007, 05:43 AM
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There are no direct trains CDG to Blois - yes CDG to St Pierre-des-Corps (Tours) then regional train to Blois - or CDG via RER to Paris-Austerlitz then InterLoire regional train to Blois - this route is much cheaper probably because it's by far the shortest route if not the quickest.
May 29th, 2007, 06:32 AM
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If speed isn't the absolute essential then I would agree that taking a regional to Blois from Austerlitz would be easiest.
The TGV to Tours and then backtracking to Blois seems more complicated than it might be worth vs. taking the RER or even a taxi to Austerlitz and the train from there.
I wonder if those trains ever really completely fill up.
The TGV to Tours and then backtracking to Blois seems more complicated than it might be worth vs. taking the RER or even a taxi to Austerlitz and the train from there.
I wonder if those trains ever really completely fill up.
May 29th, 2007, 07:07 AM
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Yes they do - i've ridden Austerlitz trains on the paris- les aubrais - blois line several times yearly and in second class they can be chock full - but mainly at rush hours. And some, called Corail TEOZ trains require reservations on this route, though most as yet do not. Like most of France there is yet to be an integrated hourly or so frequency so there are still some gaps of 2-3 hours between trains from around noon to 3 pm often - as for CDG-St Pierre des Corps then to Blois the frequency of CDG trains is not great and connecting at SPCorps can cause dwell time as well. So check out schedules on both routes to see which is best.
May 29th, 2007, 08:14 AM
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Thanks foe all the help. I have been getting different advice on routes. I have travelled much in NYC and think I can manage the Austerlitz option. I did need advice on which trains to get there, thanks TimS. Any idea of how long it takes to get from CDG to Austerlitz? I'd like to have an idea so I can estimate a departure train from Aus.
May 29th, 2007, 08:50 AM
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CDG RER to Notre-Dame Saint Michel - probably 40 mins or so, then change to RER C to Austerlitz - 5-10 mins so about an hour. My in-laws who do this connection a lot insist of doing RER to Gare du Nord then direct metro line to Austerlitz and both take about the same time - i prefer RER trains with luggage because they are much bigger.
Note: there was CDG-Orleans train service tried recently but was abandoned after about five people were riding each train.
Note: there was CDG-Orleans train service tried recently but was abandoned after about five people were riding each train.
May 29th, 2007, 04:21 PM
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About the Gare du Nord transfer, that is how the RER site shows the trip, so thanks for the tip about staying on until Notre-Dame Saint Michel. I have a map, which I will have with me and it seems pretty obvious. Thanks.
May 30th, 2007, 08:23 AM
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not all trains from CDG go on to St Michel-Notre Dame as some i think but not sure terminate at Gare du Nord - if so on the same platform the next train or two - they come every few minutes - will take you there. Look for the Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame stop to be lit on the overhead monnikers. But the line 4 isn't bad outside of rush hour either and may be a bit quicker i believe.
Jun 2nd, 2007, 06:35 AM
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OK, thanks for the wonderful information. Now, to add to the mix. I contacted someone in Blois about my arrival and he said-"You land at CDG Airport,which is in the northern part of PARIS'District
To go to BLOIS,you must take your train at Gare d'AUSTERLITZ,WHICH is in
central PARIS.
To go there,you have 2 options:
From CDG Airport,you can take a bus that drives you to Gare de
LYON;there,you can go by foot to Gare d'AUSTERLITZ,(it's very close ,you
have only the SEINE River to cross)
You can also take a train from CDG Airport to Gare DU NORD ,afterwards you
can go by tube to Gare d'AUSTERLITZ
For you ,I think the first option is more convenient."
Of course he did not explain which train/bus as you have. Can anyone explain the bus trip better than him? Name the bus line and specific line?
Thanks.
To go to BLOIS,you must take your train at Gare d'AUSTERLITZ,WHICH is in
central PARIS.
To go there,you have 2 options:
From CDG Airport,you can take a bus that drives you to Gare de
LYON;there,you can go by foot to Gare d'AUSTERLITZ,(it's very close ,you
have only the SEINE River to cross)
You can also take a train from CDG Airport to Gare DU NORD ,afterwards you
can go by tube to Gare d'AUSTERLITZ
For you ,I think the first option is more convenient."
Of course he did not explain which train/bus as you have. Can anyone explain the bus trip better than him? Name the bus line and specific line?
Thanks.
Jun 2nd, 2007, 06:49 AM
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No but the short walk from Gare de Lyon is not a simple one on a level sidewalk as from the chaotic station you must walk thru a few crowded streets to get to the relatively new Pont Charles DeGualle that crosses the Seine and to Austerlitz, where there is a short flight of stairs to descend to get into the station.
IMO you'll be much better off taking the RER/metro route right into Austerlitz especially with luggage - though if you are lightly packed and mobile the Lyon-Austerlitz walk is a snap.
IMO you'll be much better off taking the RER/metro route right into Austerlitz especially with luggage - though if you are lightly packed and mobile the Lyon-Austerlitz walk is a snap.
Jun 2nd, 2007, 07:11 AM
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I just researched it and the bus is 12 euros with a walk. I saw it on google sat map, very pretty but Iwill have luggage, so the RER is the way to go. Thanks!
(PS- this is my first trip out of US. My daughter (17) has been a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Blois, haven't seen her since last August. Can't wait to get there.)
(PS- this is my first trip out of US. My daughter (17) has been a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Blois, haven't seen her since last August. Can't wait to get there.)
