Paris Rail Info???
May 18th, 2006 | 09:22 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2006
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Paris Rail Info???
We're staying at Residence Henri IV, 50 Rue des Bernadins,Paris, in late June.
We need to catch a train in the morning on a
Thursday from Paris to Tours (to pick up our rental car). There are 5 of us.
How do I find out the schedule and the right train station to go to? Should we make reservations?
Thanks!
We need to catch a train in the morning on a
Thursday from Paris to Tours (to pick up our rental car). There are 5 of us.
How do I find out the schedule and the right train station to go to? Should we make reservations?
Thanks!
May 18th, 2006 | 09:27 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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there are lots of rail websites you can use for that. www.raileurope.com is pretty easy and will show that info (they don't have absolutely all schedules, though, and don't buy tickets through them as they are more expensive than in person from the station, but it gives you info). The French railways site has that info www.sncf.com and maybe German rail www.bahn.de
I assume you want a TGV, the fast train.
I assume you want a TGV, the fast train.
May 18th, 2006 | 09:30 AM
#3
Joined: Jun 2004
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Die Bahn is probably the easiest to use with the least clicking. Just go to http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en and enter Paris and Tours. You will see that direct trains originate at Gare Montparnasse (TGV) and Gare d'Austerlitz. Reservations are mandatory on TGV and recommended on regular services (otherwise your chances of sitting together are iffy).
For 5, a taxi-van to either station would probably be economical.
For 5, a taxi-van to either station would probably be economical.
May 18th, 2006 | 01:04 PM
#4
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Joined: Mar 2006
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I saw someone mention blu-van. Is that a taxi-van service that we could use from the airport to the hotel and to the train station??Also, should we purchase the TGV pass from the US before our trip or do it when we get there??
May 18th, 2006 | 02:23 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
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Hi t,
See www.voyages-sncf.com for schedules, prices and tickets.
www.ratp.fr will give you information on how to get to the train station from your hotel by public transportation.
enter your itinerary at www.railsaver.com and click "only if it saves money" to see if you need a railpass, which I doubt.
BluVan is a shuttle service. Also check www.parishuttle.com and www.beeshuttle.com
Have a nice visit.
See www.voyages-sncf.com for schedules, prices and tickets.
www.ratp.fr will give you information on how to get to the train station from your hotel by public transportation.
enter your itinerary at www.railsaver.com and click "only if it saves money" to see if you need a railpass, which I doubt.
BluVan is a shuttle service. Also check www.parishuttle.com and www.beeshuttle.com
Have a nice visit.
May 18th, 2006 | 02:43 PM
#6
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,260
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There are numerous "regular" trains from Austerlitz to Tours every day and I doubt you would need seat reservations for those unless you are traveling at a VERY busy time.
TGV would save a great deal of time vs. leaving from Austerlitz.
I would definitely look at using the Metro to get to the station unless it turns out to be a complicated route and price is no object.
If you resort to a cab don't forget that in Paris if you call a cab the meter drops as soon as it starts rolling toward your pick-up point.
TGV would save a great deal of time vs. leaving from Austerlitz.
I would definitely look at using the Metro to get to the station unless it turns out to be a complicated route and price is no object.
If you resort to a cab don't forget that in Paris if you call a cab the meter drops as soon as it starts rolling toward your pick-up point.
