We're a family of 4 (kids ages 12,10) and will be going from Paris to Avignon where we'll pick up a rental car for a week.

Originally, I was planning on using the TGV to get to Avignon. When I check on SNCF, the cheapest I can find is still 200 Euro for the whole family. On the otherhand, there is no price difference if we pick up our car in Paris or Avignon.

I know driving takes longer plus cost of toll and gas, so maybe we'll save 150 Euro? That still quite a saving.

Thanks in advance for your insight.

Have you tried checking with the SNCF English line for family discounts? They can be quite substantial, and when you travel can make a difference as well. The number is 011-33 8 92 35 35 39.

However, I love the drive south from Paris. The route is beautiful and takes you through Burgundy and the Rhône Valley; there are fairly frequent stops along the way at travel centers that provide just about anything you might need. You can also take advantage of picnic areas (with and without toilet facilities).

It might depend on how long a ride your kids can handle.

Hi Underhill,

I was on SNCF English page and didn't see any family discount, is there a trick to this? I did see promo for 50e per person.

Is this beautiful senic drive the autoroute (toll) or are you talking about the side roads? I think the autoroute will take 4-6 hrs, is that correct? That's about the max driving time my kids can take.

BTW, we're only doing this one way since we're flying out of Nice.

Have you checked for PREM's fares? They're usually only 25 € apiece Paris to Avignon. And, as Underhill mentioned, there are substantial family discounts.

Information on discount fares can be hard to find on the SNCF site, thus the suggestion to make a telephone call. There are all sorts of discount possibilities, but you just about have to know about them to have a chance of finding them on the web site.

The scenic route that we take is the main Autoroute du Soleil, which goes through nice countryside for most of the way. If you drive straight through you might make it to Avignon in 6 hours, but I imagine you'd want to make at least a lunch stop along the way. There are cafeterias (and restaurants) at most of the places along the autoroute; you can get good meals at low prices, as well as the makings for a picnic lunch.

OK, I've poked around the SNCF french site and found the perm fares for 7/21 but not on the date I want 8/14. I guess Tue vs Sat makes a difference or it's still too far ahead? I'll keep checking periodically. I'll also try to call the number Underhill posted using our internet phone, which will make this it a free call.

Hi carcassone,

You can get an estimate of travel time and tolls if you go to www.viamichelin.com.

Hello,
If you do decide to drive down to Provence from Paris, expect the roads to be busy, as you will be driving south on a Saturday in August. Most Parisians take their holidays in August and many of them jump in their cars and head for the south, making weekend traffic around Paris and the A6 motorway pretty heavy.

Also, if you do use viamichelin.com to estimate driving times, make sure you add at least an hour to the times they give, as they don't allow for any stopping or slowing down.
The drive from Paris to Lyon usually takes us about 5 hours or more, depending on traffic, and then it's about a couple of hours drive from Lyon to Avignon.

If I were you, I'd take the train!! But try and book tickets ASAP since this is peak holiday season in France.

I concur with the others, I would take a train. I always take trains all throughout Europe. Besides being convenient, direct, and fun - you will be saving on gas and avoiding traffic. If your travel dates are flexible enough, it might be worth changing your days to when you can catch a good PREMS fare from Paris to Avignon. I have checked fares months in advance on SCNF and am surprised that there was no listing or availability for 8/14?! I would call or email the SCNF website with your specific request (family of 4 with 2 children) and see what they might offer you re: a discount or package rate.

How much is your TIME and ATTENTION worth to you and your family? Do you feel like doing the work of driving while the rest of the family is chattering away, looking at the scenery, and having a wonderful time while you do all the work?

Up to you but I think that money would be better spent on the train so you could ALL enjoy the trip to Avignon..and yeah, you can afford it...just tell the kids they cannot have that Tommy Hilfiger T-shirt until next year!

Enjoy your trip.

Remember also that you could purchase PREM's fares to Marseille and just get off at Avignon, if there are PREM's available for your dates to Marseille and not to Avignon. No one's going to bat an eyelash if you get off the train early.

carcassone,
If you do drive (which I prefer unless its a "time" thing), Leave early from Paris and stop at Beaune for lunch. The exit doesn't look like much but its a great town for food and wine. The drive is about 6 hours....longer if you stay the speed limit.

StCirq, you are one smart cookie. I like a woman who knows a thing or two about trains.

Hi carcassone,

This morning SNCF is offering a Prem fare of 164E for 2 adults and 2 children to Avignon from Paris. Journey time approx 2 3/4 hr.

The http://www.novarentacar.com/ people offer a mid-size sedan for 41E/day.

http://www.viamichelin.com says it takes about 7 hr to drive from Paris to Avignon.

I like the drive south as well. If you have the time, and do want to save money, get a diesel car, and off you go. However it will take the better part of 6 hours, if memory serves.

By the time you factor in the time needed to rent the car and get out of Paris, stops along the way, and then finding the hotel when you reach your destination, you are facing a very long day cooped up in the car.

Also, I would think that the decision of where to stay the first night would be influenced by whether you drive or take the train.

If it's Avignon by train, you could spend the night there and then pick up a car the next day. If you are driving, perhaps another place that is easier to navigate would be preferable.

Why thank, you degas. I'm truly flattered quot;>

Another thought: take the TGV from Paris to, say, Dijon, then pick up the car and drive the rest of the way. That would pare some hours off the trip and let you see the best of the countryside on the way south.

Thank you for the suggestion on checking the fare to Marseille. However, I can't figure out on SNCF how to see all the intermedidate stops. I don't want to just assume all trains to Marseille will stop in Avignon TGV station, right?

Since I'm staying in Arles, I also check from Paris to Arles since I probably will not need a car that 1st day or even the 2nd day so perhaps save on parking + rental. But Paris to Arles shows up on these 9 hrs journeys and only a couple are 3 hrs (which is what I expect for "direct&quot.

There used to be a way to see all the stops because I remember checking it for some routes, but I can't find such a capability now on SNCF.

I'd suggest just finding the train you want (or a couple choices) to Marseille, and then searching for the same times Paris-Avignon and see if the same train number shows up, or at least the eact same time leaving from the same Paris station.

IN the morning, it appears that none of the TGVs to Marseille stop in Avignon from the schedule I saw. At least, there were no trains to Avignon leaving at the exact same time from Paris as the ones to Marseille. Perhaps I am misunderstanding this, but that's what it looks like.