car rental Charles degaule airport or train to dijon
 

We need to travel from London to Dijon.
I think one of the easiest (unless someone knows an airline that flies direct) would be to fly from london to paris CDAirport and then either pick up our rental car there and drive to Dijon or Beaune (which town is best for two nights?) or catch the train at the airport that goes to Dijon?? Is it very busy to drive around the airport or are you pretty much out of Paris traffic?

When I arrived from the US for my Burgundy trip a couple of years ago, I took the Air France Bus to the Gare de Lyon and got a train to Dijon (I was able to get an earlier train that way, rather than waiting for the one from CDG). This was pretty hassle-free, and suited me much better than renting the car at airport and finding my way to Dijon! It's easy to pick up the car in Dijon (or REAL easy in Beaune, which I did after overnighting, 2 nites actually, to see Dijon.

As for your question re Beaune vs. Dijon - it's hard to say. Dijon is a larger city with some great museums. But Beaune has lots of charm and is more laid-back. You could look around Dijon for a few hours,(or most of the day!) then drive the lovely wine road to Beaune and stay there for the 2 nights.That would give you a little of both places. Not enough! I spent 12 days driving all over over Burgundy and never got tired of it. Plenty to do and see!

Hi K,

The only train from CDG to Dijon leaves at 19:25.

See www.voyages-sncf.com

Unfortunately, air service LON/Dijon was terminated some years ago.

Looks like you will have to go via Paris, unless you are arriving late.

((I))

I used to live in London and my parents are from Dijon, so I am quite familiar with the ride. The quickest and easiest way between the two cities is via Eurostar, with a change at Lille. Book a false return, it'll be much cheaper than a real single ticket.

But if you have to spend two nights, rather spend them in Dijon, a 200,000 strong city with 25,000 students, than Beaune, a Disneyland like glorified village that's pretty enough but that doesn't offer anything apart from touristy wine cellars and its medieval half square mile.

good suggestions.
How long does it take to take the train from london to dijon thru Lille?

Just got back from Paris with the family and drove from Chamonix to Beaune for one evening and 1/2 day and then to Paris. Picking up the car in CDG was extremely easy and the roads are marked very well. We used Viamichelin.com for directions. We stayed in La Bretoinaire Hotel in Beaune and it was marvelous. Very clran and inexpensive for a family of 4. They have a car park in the back right up to your room. Since we were on our way to Paris we did not have long to stay in Beaune but that was a pity because Beaune was gorgeous. A little but sophistacated town, clean and beautiful streets. That would be my recommendation. The hotel we stayed at was very nice right off the A6 but very close into town. My wife and I woke up early drove into town, parked right on the street no problem had cafe and walked all the beautiful cobblestone streets. If you drive you can find other attractions right off the A6 and it will take youi about 2 1/2- 3 Hours by car. It was very easy. Enjoy Beaune

>Unfortunately, air service LON/Dijon was terminated some years ago.<
I'm glad to say Ryanair should settle down at the end of this year.
http://www.burgundyeye.com/activitie...back-in-dijon/

Art, I'm glad to know your parents are from Dijon and I agree with you with the Eurostar stop in Lille (much easier and quicker than to cross Paris from Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord)
You're being hard with Beaune but for once it is not on a pedestal... ;;)
Both Dijon and Beaune are to be seen.

we did this trip 2 years ago - easy pick up of car from AutoEurope and on our way to just south of Beaune - was on a Saturday so traffic was OK but driving Paris can be nerve shaking! took a train back to CDG from Avignon which was great

You have to drive from NE of Paris I think all around the east side and south so you will spend alot of the time getting out of Paris - just watch the time you hit the road!

we loved Burgundy - missed Dijon but loved Beaune - hospice etc and great easy area around for castles, restuarants etc etc

if you need a B&B or gite, we loved one just south of Beaune - great people and what lovely accomodations

check out WWW.bnb-gite-leclos.com

Dale Sevig

Stay in Dijon and do day trip from there. Depending on whether you need a car afterward, you don't need a car while in Dijon. I was there last April and train was my primary transportation.

Coco, thanks for the tip re Ryanair and Dijon. These negotiations had been dragging on for so long that I was sure they would never succeed.

And, kate12, the total train ride is about 5 hours between London Waterloo and Dijon Ville via Lille. Factor in one extra hour through Paris.

If you can get a flight to Orly, although the airport is kind of old, you will be much closer to the A6 to Beaune. When we fly into CDG on our annual trip to Burgundy, we exit the airport to the east, then follow the signs to the N2 west, then down N104 towards Melun, then A5 towards Sens and over to the A6. This way you miss the city traffic and are on a limited access highway. However, there are trucks on N104. And we usually plan lunch in Chablis.

What about flying to Lyon and either stay there or rent a car and drive two hours to Dijon?

If you are flying Orly is of course the clever airport to land in if you are driving to Beaune/Dijon.
I would also stay in Dijon and have a days trip to Beaune.