Lucy84

I leave CDG on the TGV arriving TGV Haute Picardie at 15.14

My next rain leaves TGV Picardie to Amiens at 15.23

This only allows me 9 mins to change trains. Are the platforms close to each other where I arrive and where I leave?

thanks

Lucy

PalenQ

Yes at the TGV station there are just a few platforms and connecting trains like that are usually IME held up if the TGV train is late.

michelhuebeli

Lucy, these seemingly tight connection times are planned so as not to waste time for the travelers. They are calibrated for slower passengers, like a family with kids, and if they can make it, you will, too. No need to race and panic, just get on with it and you'll be fine.

A tip: Do as the Europeans do - keep an eye on your watch, and when it's time to pull into an arrival station, prepare your things, gather everything, and if you're concerned about time, move towards the doors during the last minute or two, then you'll be the first to exit when the train comes to a halt.

Meanwhile you can take a look around the Haute-Picardie station on this website:
www.gares-en-mouvement.com/fr/frthp/accueil/

Cathinjoetown

I looked at several departures from Picardie to Amiens and many are by autocar (coach/bus) to Amiens then onward to Rouen also by autocar. Not all, some are train transfers.

I just booked tickets for my sister, CDG to Nancy and the last portion is by autocar as Gare TGV Lorraine is about 35 minutes from Nancy.

So, check your tickets, you may not be looking for another train.

I suppose RER from CDG to Gare du Nord, then on to Gare St Lazare for a 1 hour 10 minute trip directly to Rouen would take about the same amount of time.

PalenQ

I suppose RER from CDG to Gare du Nord, then on to Gare St Lazare for a 1 hour 10 minute trip directly to Rouen would take about the same amount of time.>

Yes this is a much much quicker route - at least 1 1/2 quicker with many more possible departures from Saint-Lazare station in Paris and I suspect cheaper as well - that is the way to go no doubt - the transfer between Gare du Nord and Gare Saint-Lazare is simple - hop RER E from Gare du Nord until its terminus at Saint-Lazare - the follow signs for Grandes Lignes - main line trains on the ground floor level at Saint-Lazare.

Going via TGV Picardi makes little sense - much longer and probably more expensive though not sure about that.

For lots of info on French trains I always spotlight these IMO fantastic sources - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetrvel.com. Buy a thru ticket CDG Airport Terminal 2 TGV station to Rouen - it will include the RER transfer.

PalenQ

The transfer at Gare du Nord to RER E is really very very simple and RER E is a relatively new rapid metro line - really plush compared to crowded metros and it takes you right to St Lazare.