PalenQ

I do not think Ouigo operates its own trains does it or sell tickets on other trains - I asked kerouac to explain but it is late in France - there are two non-stop TGV trains a day from each - hard to imagine there being other trains with seats just at 10 euros making the trip but maybe they add a car for Ouigo folks onto regular TGVs and label them Ouigo. Could not tell from their site.

Check www.seat61.com for details - most up-to-date site now for current info on discounted, cheap train tickets, which do come with often severe conditions on use or change or refund and as they are sold in limited numbers must often be booked in stone weeks/months in advance - but the savings can be immense as kerouac has shown.

For general info on French trains like difference between 1st and 2nd class - and there is a difference IME check these good general info sights - www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

www.accorhotels.com has some really good value (i.e. cheap for France) hotels in the vicinity of CDG airport with free shuttle transfers.

FrenchMystiqueTours

I haven't checked the ouigo site myself but if it shows trains from Rennes to CDG then it must be running that route.

kerouac

Ouigo is just a division of the SNCF. The Ouigo trains are older TGVs into which they have stuffed a few more seats and tickets can only be bought over the internet. Only one free suitcase per passenger.

Sarastro

Agree with kerouac. I have taken the Ouigo trains a number of times. There are basically a low cost model devised by the SNCF. Two years ago there were departures from CDG, last year there were none, apparently they have initiated a few more this year.

The idea is to cut cost to the bone and charge extra for as much as possible, such as for electrical outlets. Boarding is done 30 minutes in advance and IDs are checked closely as these tickets are not transferable. Another minor annoyance is that the arm rests between seats have been removed. You´ll be sitting a bit closer to your neighbor than you might appreciate.

On the whole, the Ouigo experience is similar to a low cost airline experience. Some might not mind paying pennies more for the iDTGV trains or even waiting for PREMs on the regular TGVs. Others will be motivated by Ouigo´s low cost.

PalenQ

Thanks kerouac and sarastro for taking time to detail Ouigo trains - and here is a video of some coming in and out of CDG:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtw2kG-FgJc

kawh

thanks for this!

Christina

There is only one train company in France, Ouigo is a branding name just like idTGV is. And they are listed on the regular SNCF website, no need to find them on their own website, on voyages-sncf.com you can see all runs between Nantes or Rennes and CDG. It appears there is only one direct Ouigo between either city and CDG per day, and it's not in the morning (one is around 2 pm and the other not until 6 pm). And the fare is higher on weekends (like 15-20 euro).

PalenQ

Personally I would say go first class on a regular TGV with a discounted ticket in that class - this is your only train trip - why pinch pennies - go in style - 2nd class without any arm rests between seats and tinier seats and all full probably is yes cheap but sounds rather dreadful to me - rather have spacious often IME half empty first class seats - especialy nice ones being the rows of just one seat in them - an aisle and window seat - lots of rooms for luggage in first class always IME -apply the same criteria to train travel IMO that you do to hotels, restaurants, etc.

Folks typically paying $200-300 a night for hotels and $100 or more a day on restaurants should not scimp on trains - that's always been a weird thing on Fodor's for me - go in style and quality in everything but train travel - in that the mantra here is cheapest is always best. IME it is not - especially on the trip of a lifetime and in what is about your only train trip.

kawh

palenq... you have given me some great advice... but probably won't go with the 1st class. one day, maybe.

for now, we prefer to travel as much as we can... and that means scrimping on certain things. we generally choose our next destination based on bargain fares or miles earned. we always choose location and view over comfortable amenities in our hotels & b&b's. we almost never pay more than $100 a night.... so the difference between an uncomfortable ouigo class and 1st class for 2 of us would literally be an extra 1 1/2 days of vacation.

if we have extra money, we prefer to use it for a great meal... or for a truly special thermal spot, like last year's Bagni Vecchi. But I get it... sometimes i'm stuck on a train with a sweaty arm nuzzled up to mine and think... "how did i get here??" !!

when we fly out of cdg, we are off to italy... so this is another month-long trip in total... so sacrifices will be made. but sometimes there's a golden nugget to be found within those 'sacrifices'. the wonder of travel!

PalenQ

OK - I understand but if doing discounted tickets on regular TGVs check first and second class because sometimes it is very little more for first class - got it that you don't want to spend a lot more for first class but if just a little... always check prices for both.

And 2nd class on regular TGVs is perfectly good - did not mean to say it was a cattle car and on a scimpy budget I understand and that's why I also would go 2nd class. Now those Ouigo trains could be a little too elbow to elbow for me - an arm rest between me and the next bloke is nice and hope an obese bloke ain't next to me! But yes for 10 euros if available that's a great deal - thanks to kerouac for alerting you to that.

We are similar type travelers all in all.

Cheers!

kawh

"check 1st class first"... will do. you never know with fare specials. thanks.