CDG to Aix
Dec 20th, 2006, 10:52 AM
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would say about 9 hours or so with a couple of stops. You may want to consider the bullet train which departs from CDG. It takes 3h20mins or 3h40 mins depending on the train. There are 3 per day that are direct and more that require a change in Lyon.
Dec 20th, 2006, 11:34 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
While the regular fare for a 2nd class ticket on the TGV varies from E75-E92, PREM'S (discount) fares can be as low as E25 for a 2nd class ticket and E45 for a 1st class ticket.
Tickets can be booked online at sncf.com up to 90 days in advance. To have the best chance of getting a PREM'S ticket, book as soon as the 90-day window opens. Enter Aeroport CDG 2 TGV as the departure station and Aix en Provence TGV as the arrival station. Leave France as the default country and do NOT choose cancellation insurance or you won't be allowed to print the ticket.
Tickets can be booked online at sncf.com up to 90 days in advance. To have the best chance of getting a PREM'S ticket, book as soon as the 90-day window opens. Enter Aeroport CDG 2 TGV as the departure station and Aix en Provence TGV as the arrival station. Leave France as the default country and do NOT choose cancellation insurance or you won't be allowed to print the ticket.
Dec 20th, 2006, 11:37 AM
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't drive.
I've driven almost all of that freeway in various sections. The thing you'll remember about that drive is constaantly passing trucks directly in front of you (it's mostly 2 lanes, and the left lane is for passing only), looking in the rear view mirror to see if someone else is 3 feet behind you with their lights on and wanting to pass, driving with the sun in your face, massive traffic jams around Lyon if you hit it at the wrong time, 6 mile backups at toll booths if you do this on a Sat or Sun from about July 1 to Aug 1, everyone single file going 45 MPH in a construction zone.
The TGV is a 3 1/2 hr or so trip. Prem fares can be obtained for about 30E for 2nd class, & about 50E first class. Tolls, if you drive, are probably more than that. About 70% of the drive is really not that scenic.
Stu Dudley
I've driven almost all of that freeway in various sections. The thing you'll remember about that drive is constaantly passing trucks directly in front of you (it's mostly 2 lanes, and the left lane is for passing only), looking in the rear view mirror to see if someone else is 3 feet behind you with their lights on and wanting to pass, driving with the sun in your face, massive traffic jams around Lyon if you hit it at the wrong time, 6 mile backups at toll booths if you do this on a Sat or Sun from about July 1 to Aug 1, everyone single file going 45 MPH in a construction zone.
The TGV is a 3 1/2 hr or so trip. Prem fares can be obtained for about 30E for 2nd class, & about 50E first class. Tolls, if you drive, are probably more than that. About 70% of the drive is really not that scenic.
Stu Dudley
Dec 20th, 2006, 12:04 PM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<While the regular fare for a 2nd class ticket on the TGV varies from E75-E92, PREM'S (discount) fares can be as low as E25 for a 2nd class ticket and E45 for a 1st class ticket>
PREM's are a poor idea when in conjunction with a flight which could be late unless you build a large cushion in - PREM's non refundable or changeable i believe. So if the regular fare is E72-95 or about $100-$130 you may want to buy the one-day France Railpass special that expires 12/31/06 and costs just $90 (maybe $99 i forget) and this can even be used on TGVs costing 95euro or $130 and can go anywhere in France on it. You can make a reservation when buying the pass and then if you don't make the train the pass can be used on any other train. this pass must be used within six months of issuance or as late as June 31, 2007. Marketed by Raileurope but they would charge a $15-20 mailing fee for orders under $200 - BETS (800-441-2387), a RE agent i always recommend would charge $5. Of course reservations would be extra - but at full fare could save some bucks on TGVs it seems. Or build in a lot of cushion time and save a whole lot by the PREM's route but act very early to get those i think for sure.
PREM's are a poor idea when in conjunction with a flight which could be late unless you build a large cushion in - PREM's non refundable or changeable i believe. So if the regular fare is E72-95 or about $100-$130 you may want to buy the one-day France Railpass special that expires 12/31/06 and costs just $90 (maybe $99 i forget) and this can even be used on TGVs costing 95euro or $130 and can go anywhere in France on it. You can make a reservation when buying the pass and then if you don't make the train the pass can be used on any other train. this pass must be used within six months of issuance or as late as June 31, 2007. Marketed by Raileurope but they would charge a $15-20 mailing fee for orders under $200 - BETS (800-441-2387), a RE agent i always recommend would charge $5. Of course reservations would be extra - but at full fare could save some bucks on TGVs it seems. Or build in a lot of cushion time and save a whole lot by the PREM's route but act very early to get those i think for sure.
