kc1

We are arriving at CDG airport at 8:30 a.m., and would like to travel to Strasbourg on the same day. We are reluctant to book anything in advance, in case of flight delays from North America. I notice there is an Air France flight at approx. 1 p.m. to Strasbourg that we may be able to get on. There are also trains going there from Gare de l'Est in Paris. We are wondering if the trains get booked up, and if we will have trouble getting on one. We would also like to know the best way to get from CDG to Gare de l'Est.
If anyone has had experience in either mode of transportation from Paris to Strasbourg, we would appreciate your input and advice, keeping in mind that we will be experiencing jet lag and will have luggage.
Thanks so much!

StCirq

There's no need to wait until 1 pm for a flight or go into Paris to the Gare de l'Est. You can take a TGV right from CDG to Strasbourg. I just picked a random date of June 25 on www.voyages-sncf.com and there's one at 10:42 am and another at 12:42 pm, for example.

LoriNY1

We've flown twice and not had a problem, but we've always allotted for time delays. St. Cirq, this is the new TGV line, n'est pas?

StCirq

I'm not sure, Lori, but I assume so. The SNCF site just says there are TGVs available. Haven't taken that route on the TGV yet.

To the OP: If you purchase PREM tickets on the TGV in advance you'll save a lot of $$. They are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable, though.

kc1

I had no idea you could catch a train from the airport! Thank you so much for that info!!
How much time should one allow between flight arrival time and train departure time?
How would we find out the location of the train station at CDG?
I think we would opt for refundable/exchangeable tickets.
By the way, would it be better to book through www.voyages-sncf.com or www.raileurope.com.?
Thanks again!

StuDudley

>>How much time should one allow between flight arrival time and train departure time?<<

I am comfortable with 2 1/2 hrs - and I get a little nervous with only 2 hrs.


>>How would we find out the location of the train station at CDG?<,

It is well marked - no harder finding it than getting to any another terminal


>>I think we would opt for refundable/exchangeable tickets.<,

PREMs are usually sooooo cheap, that I purchase them and I feel it is a good risk with the 5-10% chance that I'll miss the connection. If I miss it - it won't break the bank to pay full fare.

>>By the way, would it be better to book through www.voyages-sncf.com or www.raileurope.com.?

PREMs are only available on the sncf site, and I think all tickets on raileurope have a hefty mark-up

CDG to Strasbourg is a new route which started within the last 2 years, I believe.

Stu Dudley

kc1

A big thank you to all who replied - very, very helpful. I ended up buying train tickets from Rail Europe, as they had an option to take a later train than one booked if necessary. Also our tickets were delivered in just over 24 hours after ordering them - amazing.
I always get such good advice on Fodor's - I am impressed!
Thanks again,
KC1

wlcjr

kc1, I see you already purchased train tickets.

We just returned from Alsace/Strasbourg 2 weeks ago & flew open jaw into Strasbourg, connecting at CDG (from DTW) & flew home direct from CDG, for the same cost as a roundtrip flight to CDG.

We had originally intended to take the 1PM CDG to SXB.
However, due to volcanic ash we missed that flight & were rescheduled on the 5PM flight, without any issue.

We enjoyed 5 nights in Alsace & then took the TGV from Strasbourg to Paris for a few more nights, prior to our return.

Will