Budget travel from Paris to Aix
 

I looked on the TGV site and it will cost about $300 for two of us round trip- any other suggestions? We're only going to be in Aix for 4 nights, so driving doesn't seem to make sense. Perhaps the TGV is the best compromise between ease and cost. Thoughts?

I am surprised that the TGV priced out so high, but indeed that is the cost. Perhaps splitting up the trip and taking the TGV from Paris down to Avignon, then Avignon to Aix-en-Provence might make it cheaper? I have always relied on trains for transportation throughout Europe so wouldn't have a better recommendation for you. A rental car would cost and the price of gas is high, so I think either way it is going to cost you.

Keep watching for PREMs fares to Avignon. You should be able to get one for 20-50 euro. They change all the time, but Paris-Avignon is one of the lines that almost always has good deals. When you go to the SNCF site, click on Reservations and the PREMs fares are listed at the top left of the screen. You can drive or take public transportation to Aix from Avignon.

Thanks for the help- st.cirq, do you mean to plug in my dates and such and then see what the prems fares are? I'm a little unclear on your directions.

No, don't plug anything in. Just go to the SNCF site, click on Reservations, and look in the left-hand corner of the screen. The PREMs fares will be listed there. When you see one for Paris-Avignon, click on it and continue from there to see if you can get it for the dates you want.
If you can, you pay and print the ticket right out on your computer. No need to go to the window in the train station.
If you can't get the dates you want today, keep checking.

danacarrie: The "Prem's" box is lined in blue and yellow at the top L of the screen. There are advertised specials right now of Paris-Marseille for only 25euro. In March, I took the train from Marseille to Aix, so if you chose that promotion, it is less than a 1 hour train ride from Marseille to Aix.

I was just looking for the "Prems" listing and couldn't find it (I was on the English scnf site. Then I switched over to the French site, and there it was! That is great to know about this. I learn something just about everytime I get on this board!

You can also get special fares for two people traveling together, for certain time frames, and a number of other circumstances. You might want to call the SNCF English number and inquire about what's available for your dates. Also, you could get an early-morning departure on a non-TGV train, which would be less expensive.

Hi !

It seems that the 25 Euros deal is not for every one! I searched for a round trip Paris-Aix en Provence (or Marseille). The lowest fare (Prem's) is 100 Euros for a one-way ticket on the dates we want (June 8th to 13th).

Maybe I did all wrong... would not be the first time!

I would greatly appreciate if some generous soal would look up if they come to the same conclusion! We need 2 tickets "aller-retour" Paris-Aix or Paris-Marseille for seniors. Aller: June 8th. Retour: June 13th.

I presume it would not be cheaper if we bought the tickets in a station when we'll be in Paris? Is there a better idea?

Lots of thanks!

Miche

I just checked and got Paris-Marseilles for 25 euros. Keep watching and pounce on the fare when you see it.

How far is Avignon train station from St. Remy?

Hello, I am doing this drive soon so I remember someone posting it is 12 miles. My studio in St. Remy says a 20 minute drive.

You were all talking about the SNCF, I understand this to be the local trains within France. Is it possible for me to just buy the ticket to Avignon in Paris or do they get fully booked?
Also, if I want to go to Barcelona from Avignon, which train should I take?

SNCF is the acronym for the French national railways. It's all trains, not just local ones (with some minor private exceptions of special scenic runs). YOu can buy a ticket in Paris for trips elsewhere, but there isn't any train station in St Remy, if that's what you were planning. YOu can't get there by train.

YOu won't have a choice of railways except for schedules from Avignon to Barcelona, so choose the one that fits your schedule best. That's a long trip, 7-9 hours, and you'll have to transfer, I imagine, at least once or more. They have one train that only has a change in Montpellier, I believe; others have two changes.

Looks like there are two connections from Avignon to Barcelona.

Early morning one with change in Montpellier, or Bezier; or a late afternoon one with change between Montpellier and Perpignan. Morning one takes about 5:45, afternoon one 6:15 to Barcelona.