I have read through the threads and the websites and the rail europe books - still slightly confused.

We have decided to fly from London upon arrival directly into Paris (we are flying LAX - LHR and then we will fly to Paris). We arrive December 23 (LATE).

We have an apartment for 10 days- December 23- Jan. 2.

I want to do day trips from Paris.

I would like to do Caen and Normanday (we may spend the night).

I would also like to do Reims. I have emailed for a tour of veuve clicquot - not sure if we will get one. (heard it is impossible?)

We migh have another day trip to do as well.

Should we buy a rail pass? We have 5 persons (maybe 6) ages at time of travel - 18, 15, 11 and two more adults.

Sorry if this is obvious - I am just very confused on the passes.

Hi D,

With 4 kids and only 9 nights in Paris, you want to undertake 3 major excursions?

May I suggest taking the train to Normandy for 3 nights in the middle of your visit.

It is unlikely that you will want a family railpass.

Train prices are at www.voyages-sncf.com.

10 nights in Paris Ira LOL ..

I know.. Iknow.. I am getting that crazy "I am in France and want to see the most of it feeling"!!...


Crazy? Yes, I am sure... I am reluctant to plan a stay (I have looked at different hotel options) as we might just want to "hang"...

I get a crazy feeling (coupled I am sure by being house bound for the last 4 days with my dd! LOL) that I am not taking advantage of our time.

Smack me on the head a few times and I will reel myself back in...

smack smack smack

We've never purchased rail passes - but my only thought is similar to Ira's. Once you get to Paris around Christmas/New Years, you may not want to take as many "excursions" as you now think you will. You may feel "pressured" into taking more trips than you really want because of the cost of the passes. Versailles could be the only trip you'll want to take.

We were in Paris during that time of year - it snowed & was very cold. It was one of our best trips to Paris because the cold & the snow forced us to do a few things we normally would not have done. If you're a Californian like me, the Normandy D-Day beaches would not be a trip I would look forward to in the snow & cold/windy weather (we're spoiled).

Stu Dudley

I don't know the current pricing of a French railpass, and don't know about family passes or what they cost. So, what is the price of such a thing? People could advise better if the price were shown.

However, I have never seen a case where a railpass was cost effective when the proposed trips are such cheap and short ones. Railpasses are very expensive, and they only make sense when someone plans at least one or more expensive, longer TGV runs or something like that. Now maybe a family railpass is dirt cheap (kind of doubt it), but that would be my guess, that it couldn't possibly make sense to buy a railpass for day trips from Paris.

Hello Dawnnoelm...We just did 5 nights in Paris over new years with our two teenagers and trust me on this one...the busier, the better, when it comes to kids 11-18. We drove to Juno Beach and back in one day, but would recommend spending at least one night minimum.

I am wracking my brains, but seem to recall that the train was more expensive than usual...not sure if it was because of New Years or if the lower fares were just sold out, but it's something that you should book sooner than later, for sure.

Even with our day trip to the north, I feel we could have still done more and wished we had made another day trip somewhere. Be aware that you are there over a very busy time and I found that many restaurants kept different hours (shorter) if they were opened at all. Also, many restaurants jacked up their 'set menu' price for holiday crowds.

It rained alot, but the weather was really not a problem...lot of walking and fun! May I strongly suggest the Paris Segway Tour from Fat Tires with your kids...it really was a terrific way to get the history from a good tour guide, a feel for the lay-of-the-land, while having fun and perhaps entertaining the younger ones who might not be so interested in listening to the history of Marie Antoinette, so you CAN hear!

Good luck!!

ok, I just looked at the French railpass costs (min is 3 days use, I believe, in a month) and there isn't anything called a family pass. There is something called a Saver pass where you get a discount for two or more adults traveling together or something, and discounts for youth (less than age 26) or kids. Still, the adults' saver pass would be around $229 each, the youth around $200 and the 11 yr old child $115 (I think).

Each of those regular train fares, second class are around 30 euro one-way (Caens or TGV to Reims), so 60 euro RT. That is now around US$90 or a bit more. So, if you only did two trips, it would not make sense to buy a railpass. If you were sure you'd do at least three around that distance, it would make sense to buy those railpasses. I know folks may say you can get a little discount on the Reims thing if you buy in advance, but the easiest is just to assume such a trip will cost you around USD $100 RT (kids probably less, I don't know their SNCF fares).

So, for adults, don't buy such a pass for only two trips. Also, if you do buy it, you'll have to get into making reservations separately for the TGV run. A lot of day trips are not that expensive, though, if you go to places like Versailles.

Ira - thanks... bringing me back in!

Stu - I am VERY concerned about the freezing weather. I am from Southern California and just the average temps in Paris has me a little freaked out.

I am a huge history buff though and would love to do the museum at Caen <sp>.

Christina... thanks for taking the time to sort though those passes. I have no head for numbers and have to really sit down with a calculator.

Anita - Yes... that is what I was thinking - busy, busy busy is good with them. One thing - my youngest does not have the strongest constitution and at times I have to take it easy and reel it in due to her health. (We ended up seeing a Dr. in Florence last July). I would like to spend the night having said that I am trying to stay on a slight budget if at all possible.

I do want to do Versailles - and will have to save Strasbourg for another trip...

I am planning on taking youngest daughter to Italy in the spring of 09 - just she and I. Depending on where I can get FF flights in and out of we might be back in the area...

Dawn; if you are from southern california, i think you will find it freezing unless they hava an unusual warm spell. I am canadian (toronto) and although i did not find it horribly cold, it was damp which is a whole different kinda cold. Be sure to invest in great rain/waterproof jackets with a good liner and waterproof footwear...this should help keep you dry and comfortable. I wore my winter jacket (not my parka, but my dressier one) and put a tent type rain coat over top when it rained, scarf, gloves, waterproof walking shoes and I was ok...you might need a few more layers (and you will probably benefit from a hat).

Anita - I was able to get myself and my two dd's good warm jackets on sale from JcPenny online a few weeks ago - I got all three for less then one! I need to get waterproof comfortable boots for the three of us too.

What was your favorite part of your trip?

I love JC Penny and try to get there for Christmas shopping (Buffalo isn't too far away for me...there aren't any JCP in Toronto, boo hoo). Good job getting your coats! A cheap rain tent for overtop and you're all set!

Favourite part of Paris...hmmm...I've been a few times (twice alone, once with just DH, and last time with the whole family)so there was a favorite part each time. With the kids, i have to say riding the Segways were freakin' halarious. Also, renting a car to drive up to Normandy was pretty cool especially when the GPS took us back to our hotel via the Arc de Triumph and we're driving around that thing with a million other cars! LOL New Years was spent on the Place du concord with lots of other people...we had originally wanted to get close to the Eiffel tower, but they 'closed' the surrounding area and cancelled the fireworks off it because of 'hightened security measures'. But, it was still all fun. Could be scary for your little one, tho...lots of drunks and hooting and hollering. Hubby and I ditched the kids one morning and walked hand in hand through St. Germain which was really nice. Overall, best part was just seeing the city through my kids eyes, strolling the Seine with them, and killing ourselves laughing while my husband tried to remember how to drive a standard transmission. Navigating the subway system "metro" was really awesome and if you were to ask my 15 year old son what his fav. part was, it woul be the very random entertainment that popped up on the metro...they had to hurry and do a gig between one stop and we saw, musicians, puppet shows, all kinds of things...this totally cracked up my son (the randomness of it all).

On the top end, we splurged and had drinks at the Hemingway Bar (Ritz) which my husband and I love. Kids actually liked it too...appreciated the history in the room.

I'm sure you will have a great time no matter what you choose to do. Just remember that the city keeps different hours over the holiday season and it is busy!!!

Anita - thanks for the feedback! I am amazed at times at what makes the memories for children.

Our girls loved the train rides through Europe last summer -- we played cards and it was a great time for us all... who would have thought that would be one of the highlights?