Train info on internet seems confusing between Eurostar, Thalys, TGV, Le France, and Elipses. Between Paris and Marseilles are Eurostar and TGV the same thing? To go for instance between Paris and Tours, or Chartre and Tour is it only Thalys. And which is the best deal in terms of cost and time? Also, how do trains compare to Bus use between less distant cities/towns?
Train travel in France
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By reading your post I can see some confusion so let´s clarify.
Basically, Eurostar trains are for travel to the UK (London). Thalys trains are for travel to Brussels/Amsterdam. Trains between Paris and Marseille or Paris and Tours are operated by the SNCF (French Rail).
Schedules and pricing for the SNCF trains are available here:
www.voyages-sncf.com (in French only)
www.tgv-europe.com (if you are from the USA, choose any country for ticket pickup but the USA to preclude being bumped to Rail europe).
www.idtgv.com
Tickets become available for sale 3 months before any given travel date which is also the time the inexpensive PREM tickets become available. Prices only increase as tickets are sold so purchase as soon as you can.
You may also see some iDTGV trains available to Marseille. iDTGV tickets are only sold on line, starting 4-6 months before any given travel date. The are very reasonably priced starting at 19€, 16€ for night trains.
Presently, there is no long distance bus service operating from within France.
Thank you very much.
For an illustrated introduction to European trains see http://tinyurl.com/eym5b.