wky123

My husband and I are planning a trip to Provence/Dordogne in August. We plan to take the train directly to Avignon from CDG upon arrival at around 11am. Not sure if we can catch the 1:54pm train, if not, the next one depart at 4:52pm, putting us in Avignon at 8:11pm. A few questions here:

1) Should we buy train tickets (i.e. at Raileurope) in advance? Is it cheaper? Can we get it just at the train station given we're uncertain which train we may take?

2) If we take the 4:52pm train, we won't be at Avignon till after 8pm. Our original plan is pick up a rental car and drive to our hotel (to be reserved) in the St. Remy area. Given it's our first time in Provence, is it a bad idea to drive at night out from Avignon? Are we better off to stay at Avignon for a night?

Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

Winnie

TuckH

I got a bit lost (in broad daylight) in the suburbs of Avignon trying to head out of town. You're likely to be tired by that time, so I'd say you should spend the night in Avignon. Do some sightseeing there in the morning before renting the car...

copain1

In August, I would buy my tickets early. There will be a lot of people on the train, especially in 2nd class. If you wait you might be forced to buy a 1st class ticket, which is what I would recommend anyway. Personally, I have never been on the TGV where every seat is taken. I am sure there are times it has happened but not with me.

Maybe you could ask the hotel to pick you up at the station and rent the car in St. Remy. Anyway, it will still be very light when you arrive. Even at 8:00 pm.

Mimar

I wouldn't buy the train tickets ahead of time (especially not through RailEurope). You never know about flight delays....

I assume it's a TGV you're taking from CDG to Avignon. The Avignon TGV station is to the south of the town proper, in the direction of St. Remy. So you don't need to drive through Avignon at all. It's maybe a half hour drive to St. Remy, and it should still be at least half-light at that time of day.

That said, driving in a strange car on strange roads after an overnight flight plus a further train trip is not such good idea. How are you with jet lag? Maybe you can nap on the train? Or, in the airport, if you have to wait for the later train.

If you plan to see Avignon sometime anyway, you could spend the night there, use the morning to see the town, then pick up a rental car and drive south.

yk

Have you bought your plane ticket yet? Some airlines (I know American does for sure) are partners with SNCF and will sell you a plane ticket from US-Avignon, with CDG-Avignon as a rail ticket on TGV.

Sometimes the plane+rail tix is just a tad more expensive than the plane ticket.

geebee14

In late April, we had a reservations (and a rail pass) for a late train from the CDG TGV station to Narbonne. We tried to get an earlier train to save the 4-hour wait, but learned that all the trains south were "complèt" (full). I'd feel more comfortable with a ticket in hand if I were heading to Avignon in August, the favourite holiday month, even if that meant buying one for a later train and having to wait in the TGV station.

kevin_widrow

You definately need a train ticket before arriving. In August there is quite a good chance that any TGV train heading south is full.

If you purchase a fully refundable, fully changeable ticket for the later train, then you can always see if you make it to the station in time for the earlier train and see if they have space for you. If they don't, at least you are not stuck in CDG without a way to get south.

And yes, stay in Avignon that first night. It's a great place to visit anyway and you'll enjoy a nice evening there, if you are not completely exhausted.

Rent your car the next day when you are a bit more refreshed.

-Kevin

wky123

Thanks for the response so far. Does anyone know if the TVG station is right at the airport? - Winnie

TimS

There are nearly three hours between your plane's scheduled arrival and the 13:54 train. If your plane is on time, that is an ample cushion.

I agree that for travel south in August you should buy your tickets in advance. If you buy fully-refundable and fully-exchangeable tickets, not only can you take the 16:52 train from CDG, but you could take the RER to Gare de Lyon in Paris in time to catch the 15:13 TGV which arrives in Avignon at 17:56. Take the RER B to Gare du Nord and change to the RER D, taking it to Gare de Lyon. The ride will take about an hour. The current fare is €8.20.

TimS

The TGV station is directly below Terminal 2.

TimS

I should add that I like Kevin's idea of booking the later train and then seeing if you can get seats on the earlier train if you arrive on time at CDG.

StCirq

I would personally buy PREMs and assume the plane and train would be on time, but that's just because I've had 100% great luck in doing that in the past. And no, don't buy through RailEurope, buy from SNCF...as mentioned, a later train and then switch if you can if you arrive in time to leave earlier.

I doubt any car rental place will be open past 6 pm at the Avignon TVG station, so I think you'd better plan to spend the night there. As far as driving out of Avignon, from the TGV station I've always found it remarkably easy. Can't say about driving in or through the city - never done it.

wky123

Why shouldn't I buy tickets from Raileurope? ARe they more expensive? Thanks.

yk

wky-

RailEurope is a US 3rd party site that sells train tickets. It makes $ by selling tickets to you at a marked-up price. Once in a blue moon RE's prices may be lower, but majority of the time RE's prices are much higher.

For example, I was looking up tickets today for Sept 12 going from Paris to Angers.

I can buy directly from SNCF online and get 2 PREM tickets for €44 (which is around $70.4). With PREM, I can print the tix out at home.

If I go thru RE, the exact same train/itin, it'll cost me $76 + $18 shipping fee = $94.

Before you go buy your ticket from SNCF, do a search here for MorganB's guide to SNCF - as buying tix from SNCF for the first time can be a little bit trying.

copain1

I agree with StCirq. Why not spend an evening in Avignon. There is a shuttle which takes you from the station directly downtown. It's a great place for a few evenings.

wky123

Thanks again for all the advice. I'm going to take the advice of staying at night at Avignon. Still debating if we should get tickets for the earlier or later train. Waiting at the train station/airport for four hrs if our flight arrives on time is the last thing I want to do after a 16 hrs transatlantic flight...

kerouac

Most of the car rental agencies at Avignon TGV are open until 22:00 during the summer months.

copain1

"Waiting at the train station/airport for four hrs if our flight arrives on time is the last thing I want to do after a 16 hrs transatlantic flight."

Yeah, I know, I have had to do it. And the seating at the station is oh so comfortable.

Bonne Chance!

mike1728

wky123,

You do not need to purchase the train tickets in advance...just purchase at the station..it is very easy. As for driving at night, I would recommend staying in Avignon for the night..(there is a Holiday Inn Express right outside the station)...the rates are reasonable, rooms are clean and you get a decent breakfast to start a fresh day on your trip to St. Remy..we did exactly the same last year and felt refreshed after our air/train travel. You can also walk into Avignon for dinner. Also I would think you would have no problem getting on the 1:54 train if you land at 11:00am at CDG.

Mikek

crazyfortravel

We found getting out of Avignon TGV to St Remy straight forward...and we often get lost on holiday. We found the signage in this area particularly good. I prefer not to drive after dark but it should be light until at least 9:30pm.

St Remy on the other hand can be a little confusing. I think with jetlag and the train trip, I might be inclined to stay the night in Avignon.

Buy your ticket in advance. Last minute tickets at the station can be quite expensive if the train is full. We paid 80 Euros for two first class tickets Avignon to Paris buying them several months prior. We checked to see what they would have cost on the day of the Journey and it was quoting well over 200 Euros for two people in 1st class at the ticket kiosk.