Best way to get from Paris to Avignon to Arles?
 

Hi, we are looking for the best way to get from Paris CDG to Arles. right now, the best I can find is taxi to Paris TGV station, then a quick (2h 40m) train to Avignon. however, the train to Arles leaves from different station (Avignon Centre). so, trying to figure out the best way to get to Arles from there. this is the last leg of a long travel day, so I really don't care what it costs. options are: 1) figure out how to get to other train station, 2) take bus from Avignon TGV stattion to Arles (I think), 3) take a taxi or limo directly to our hotel in Arles?

also any "must do's" in Arles or general area would be appreciated! thanks!

There is a 9:46 train that leaves Paris Gare de Lyon and goes directly to Arles, if I understand the SNCF site correctly. Subsequent trains are said to pass by Avignon, this one has no such indication.

Well, assuming you are going to have a car to navigate around Arles (if you're not, then you should rethink that), take the TGV directly from the airport CDG to Avignon, pick up a car, and you're 20 minutes or so from Arles.

I wasn't sure if picking up car in avignon would make sense or not, that is probably the route i will take. I won't be able to make the 9:15 train from Paris mentioned by the other poster. merci!

There are loads of TGVs every day direct from CDG to Avignon. Just go to www.voyages-sncf.com and pick one - get a PREM fare to save $$$.

There is a shuttle bus from Avignon TGV to the other station, I believe, or you could take a taxi which would be easiest and wouldn't cost that much. But if you are going to rent a car and don't mind driving at that time, that would be best, probably. It's easy to get to Arles from the Avignon TGV, you just go out the front and turn right and get onto the highway to Arles you don't even have to go into Avignon. I wouldn't do that if it were late in the day, however.

You didn't say what time you will arrive at CDG, so I'll give you several departure times.

1. Take a TGV from CDG to Avignon TGV, departing at 06:54. Take a bus from Avignon TGV to Arles.

2. Take a TGV from CDG to Avignon TGV, departing at 08:21. Take a bus from Avignon TGV to Avignon Centre and a regional train from there to Arles.

3. Leave CDG at 08:21 and wait a little longer at Avignon TGV and take the bus to Arles as in #1. You'll arrive 40 minutes later than if you do #2.

4. Leave CDG at 09:25 and connect to another train in Nimes, arriving in Arles at 13:55.

5. Leave CDG at 11:43. Take the bus to Arles as in #1.

6. Leave CDG at 13:01 and connect in Nimes as in #4.

7. Leave CDG at 14:28 and take the bus to Arles as in #1.

Should you choose to do the Avignon TGV to Avignon Centre:

The navette(bus shuttle) that connects Avignon TGV to Avignon Centre costs around 1.40 Euros and leaves about every 5-15 minutes. We bought our navette tickets at a little office across from the Avignon TGV south (sud) exit, but I saw other people just paying the driver. The navette drops you off inside the city walls ACROSS from the outside-the-walls Centre Gare.

Yes the navette works great !

Tt