IDTGV vs TGV
 

I got an email message from SNCF today saying that IDTGV tix are available for the fall now. I am planning a trip for a family group of 5 "seniors", 2 with significant mobility issues, ie, walking distances. I have taken an IDTGV before and seem to remember that it was a long walk to that part of the train. I'm thinking of waiting until the regular TGV tix are available for Oct., if I am correct that the IDTGVs might pose more of a problem for this group of us. The fare is really good--36 euro for 1st class, but I can probably get something for the same amount next month, I believe. Not sure what I'm asking; perhaps just confirmation that I'm making a good decision to wait for TGV car and seats that might be easier for us. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Wouldnt it depend on the train station layouts and where the idTGV part of the train is?

And if it is at the back of the train heading out of say Paris that would mean no walk in Paris, but you would have to walk all the way to the front potentially on arrival?

The last few times I've taken a regular TGV, my car was about half a mile down the tracks, or so it seemed. I don't think there's any formula for how far you have to go when getting on or getting off, whether it's a TGV or IDTVG. And yes, if you have a short walk on boarding, you'll have a long one on arriving.

I just go for the cheapest price myself, and when I get first class it seems it is at the end a lot of the time anyway. I think that's be definition, the middle of the train is second class and maybe first on both ends, but I always seem to get the farthest. IN any case, I think you could be right, that the idTGV section is added on to the end, but I sure wouldn't swear to it, I just seem to remember reading that. I did buy an idTGV ticket once and it was the end (the farthest to walk).

idTGV tickets are not always cheaper than TGV tickets, either. I bought a ticket once for a train where the regular TGV ticket was cheaper (which is why I bought it). The prices can vary a bit or go back and forth, I suppose based on how many tickets they've sold in each section.

As ticket prices increase as any given travel date approaches, there can be interesting price variations but overall iDTGV tickets are usually the cheapest tickets available after maybe the Ouigo trains. iDTGV tickets start at 19€ which is cheaper than the 25€ at which PREMs often start.

To wait and see what ticket prices might be latter simply because of the possibility of a lengthy platform walk would be foolish. As has been pointed out, a short walk at departure might mean a long walk upon arrival.

In a 'terminus' station (like Paris or Marseille), the idTGV part of the train is indeed the farther section, because they check tickets before you board (to save money) -- so it has to be somewhere that the 'normal' TGV passengers don't go.

In intermediate stations, there is no difference in distance -- TGV to the right, idTGV to the left or vice versa.

You should note, however, that if you are going from terminus station to terminus station (Paris to Marseille, for example), you will arrive closest in if you left the farthest out.

Going from Gare de Lyon to Avignon, and of course, what you're saying does make sense about shorter distance when boarding, longer distance at arrival, and vice versa.

While we are on the subject, what is actually the difference between idTGV and TGV, since it is all the same train? Even having ridden with idTGV ticket from Strasbourg to Paris a couple of years ago, I do not "get" the distinction between the two.

Thanks, all. I'll probably be posting more about this and other issues re this trip.

The differences are slight. iDTGV tickets (the ¨D¨ is capitalized) are only sold online, tickets are non transferable and non refundable, and wagon compartments follow a general theme of quiet or lively.

Some of the iDTGV trains travel attached to a regular TGV, some do not. Some may be older stock and usually they are but it´s hard to always be sure. One thing is sure, iDTGV trains are a good value.

Thanks for the explanation, S.

I think it is mainly a marketing gimmick, with the themes, that's the way it started. too bad they don't enforce it as I have been in the quiet or "Zen" cars and they allow babies in there who were screaming. So it's a marketing theme, but there are no real requirements, some people who just saw that as a cheap ticket bought it even if they didn't intend to be quiet.

My experience has been similar to Kerouac's, very long walk for iDTGV first class in Gare Montparnasse, but no issue getting off in Toulouse. TGV "regular" first class were the first cars from the entrance to the track/quai.

Also, I saw a huge difference in price between TGV first class and iDTGV first class. But, there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to sncf pricing.

A tip, last spring my knee was really messed up, I got a porter to help with luggage who had early access to the quai which meant I could take my time. There is also I believe aid for passengers with mobility issues. Not sure how that is arranged but willing to have a look on sncf's web site after you've had a try.

I've never seen a porter around to help with luggage but I do understand that there are some; I will look for one, for sure. We did use the aid for passengers with mobility issues services at the Strasbourg gare, after having to walk very far in Paris to get to the correct car. I think I just happened upon the office in S-bourg but I will definitely look into that for the departure at Gare de Lyon. And I will try to look online, too, and not leave it to chance now that I know that there are such services.
It's good to know that there are resources, ones that you don't think about until you need them.

Thanks again, everyone! I will be back here if I need help in finding out about the services, Cathinjoetown. I need to know how to access that before we arrive at the Gare de Lyon.

My experience with the SNCF personnal who handle disabled passengers last September was extraordinary! I was treated like royalty and everything went off without a hitch. DO use those resources!

So in terms of comfort there is no different between the two TGVs - TGV and TGV Light? I thought I had read that they put more seats in same size train car on idTGVs and were older rolling stock? Never ridden one so have not noticed but will look in Paris stations on my upcoming trip.

Yes, the SNCF has an extraordinary service for disabled passengers -- just as good or better than wheelchair service in airports -- but able bodied passengers must fend for themselves, and that's how it should be.

ah those European Socialists' largesse - just hope we as a society would be so helpful to those in need!

We took the iDTV to Nice last year and the seats/car was very nice, we got a deal of 40 euros in first class.

I wouldn't worry to much about the walk , because frankly if walking even an extra 100 yards is really going to make or break your trip, then perhaps its will be a problem on the other end of the journey anyways ( as said if you are at front of the train going, you are at end of the train arriving vice versus) and would think about getting mobility assistance from staff.

It's the OUIGO trains that have narrower seats, I believe.

<So in terms of comfort there is no different between the two TGVs - TGV and TGV Light?>

In my admittedly limited recent experiences, the nicest rolling stock was on an iDTGV from Paris to Lyon in 1st class on the upper deck.

After that, the TGV 1st class cars from Reims to Paris, and from Paris to Angoulême, were in older, single deck cars.

Finally, the iDTGV 1st class car from Toulouse to Paris six weeks ago was identical to the older, single deck car we were in on a TGV from Paris to Angoulême.

So, I'll continue to choose between TGV and iDTGV based on price, since there doesn't seem to be much difference, if any, between the two.

BRING food , its universally lame on the French trains.. seriously , if you are worried about your comfort and enjoyment on the trip , bring food.. we packed a lovely lunch , you can visit a bakery or grocers most have take away salads and sandwiches.

Agree. The food in the café cars is beyond horrible. At least buy a sandwich at the gare before you board. You'll see French families on board with elaborate picnics.

Yes, we will use the services for disabled for the 2 in our group who have significant mobility problems, and the remaining 3 of us able-bodied will fend for ourselves. I did not mean to imply I'd use it just because someone did not want to walk the distance.

St. Cirq, did you arrange the services before you arrived at the station or just upon arrival? Last time I traveled in France with my husband I did not know it was an option until I ran across the office in Strasbourg for the return to Paris. And 4 years later now, it would be next to impossible w/o it for him. I assume all stations of any size have such services.

We will buy a sandwich near the hotel or at the gare although it's less than a 3 hr. trip to Avignon. Station food is often not good either, but I remember buying a very good sandwich last year at the Avignon gare. And makes the time pass more quickly to be munching on something!

<<So, I'll continue to choose between TGV and iDTGV based on price, since there doesn't seem to be much difference, if any, between the two.>>

That's all I do, also. I never noticed any difference in the idTGV car itself, and TGVs can vary a lot, also. And sometimes there isn't much difference in price and sometimes, as I've noted, the TGV price is actually cheaper. I think there is reason to it, you just can't tell it by looking, I presume it is based on supply and demand, that's all.

grandmère, I initially arranged for wheelchair transfers through Air France, as I needed wheelchair assistance upon arrival at CDG to get to the SNCF station. Once there, it appeared to be a chain reaction, with each train conductor signaling to the next that I was going to need assistance at each change of trains. There was a wheelchair and attendant waiting for me at each stop. When I had time between trains, they'd wheel me to a café and then come back for me.

Upon departure, from La Rochelle, I was walking well enough on the crutches to get myself to the train platform. Had I needed to cross tracks or go underground to get to another platform, though, I'm sure just asking at the information desk at the gare would have worked fine.

grandmère : Info on SNCF service for the disabled (Accès Plus) : http://www.sncf.com/en/services/accessibility
Note that you have to contact SNCF at least 2 days before departure and that the service is not available in some stations.

StCirq, sounds as though Air France put the process in motion for you, and that it was seamless and worked very well. That is encouraging to hear; hope I can get this to work as well for us. We will use Delta's handicapped services here at PIT and at CDG, but are going into Paris before going to Avignon so I will have to work on this myself.

Pvoyageuse, thanks so much for the link. It seems to say that to qualify for these services one must either have a wheelchair of one's own or to be in possession of documentation of handicap, and it seems to be a specific "carte", not just a letter from one's doc. Both my husband and BIL have handicapped parking tags here in USA but do not use wheelchairs since they are able to avoid situations where they have to walk distances.
This may be a bit more involved than I thought. When I used the services in Strasbourg in '09, I just went into an office at the station and it was taken care of. I'm glad for the heads up so I can figure out how to access the system.

We are going from Gare de Lyon to Avignon TGV, then a week later to Strasbourg, and finally back to Paris. Avignon is small so not sure if they have handicapped services and because of size, it may be ok w/o help.

If anyone else has any info about how to go about this, I'd be grateful for any info. I may have to repost since this began as an iDTGV post!

grandmère, I read all the stuff on the SNCF site before leaving and just never got around to talking to them directly. If you want to follow the "rules," do so, but I can pretty much assure you that once you arrive at a major French rail station and ask for assistance, you'll get it in a heartbeat. It depends on the stations and so forth, but I think you'll be fine! Air France certainly didn't contact the SNCF two days in advance for me - it was more like an hour!

Whether a TGV is dual level or single level has nothing to do with the age of the train. Just like for airline routes, different sized trains are used on certain lines at certain hours.