DH and I are taking our 5 year anniversary trip to France at the end of this month. We're starting out on the Riviera (staying in Cannes) and either staying 3 or 4 nights (we haven't completely settled on what night we're leaving the US)-- I'm hoping 4-- and then heading up to Paris for 4 nights and then back. From Nice, would it be better for us to fly up to Paris or take the train? The train but its a 5 1/2 hour ride and costs $140. Flights take 1 hour and cost $95. The only reason I can see to take the train is that it might be worth it to see the countryside-- or is it? Should I just take the plane and save the time for Paris, or take the train and see some more of France on the way? Thanks in advance.

You seem to have forgotten to factor is the following:

the time it takes to get to the aiport in Nice

The extra time you have to spend by arriving at the airport early enough to check in, go through Secuirty, and then wait for the plane

The time it takes to get your luggage and get transportation at the airport in Paris

The time it takes to get into the city from the airport in Paris (and the cost of that trip)

The plane trip still only takes one hour? I don't think so.

You will be able to meet the checked luggage restrictions for those flights within France, right?

Getting possibly-available PREMS fares for the train trips would make the cost even less.

plus you'd be missing out on one fine train ride - especially when it slices thru bucolic vineyard-dotted Burgundy - seeing the signature chruch steeple-dotted French countryside en route and riding the up to 186 mph TGV train. Sit in the upper deck for a nifty view of it all.

Plus you'd be green in taking the train over the heavily polluting airplane - think of global warming too. Plane may be cheaper though

Okay, Dukey. It might not only take an hour, but I'm doubting it takes 5.5. In any event, even if it does, which would be nicer, the plane or the train? Does the train go through nice countryside worth seeing or not so much? I'm a novice here, so guidance would be a bit more helpful than a reminder on how long it takes to fly. (And it also takes time to get to and from a train station and deal with one's luggage, or no?) Have you take the train? What would you prefer? Thanks.

Dukey, why so hostile? I just asked a question. I would assume I would meet checked luggage restrictions, since I usually meet checked luggage restrictions when flying. Is there a special rule about checked luggage on flights between two points in France that I don't know about? If so, what would be helpful is if you would list what they are so I can determine wheter I would meet them. DH and I travel frequently and have never had a problem...

Hi lukesaunt,

I agree with Dukey above -- air travel always eats up more time than you expect.

Here's another consideration. An airport, even a European one, is pretty charmless. A train trip, even in less-then-spectacular countryside, is still charming. I'll always prefer to be seeing something regional/local than bland and businesslike.

s

Thanks, Swanda. We were leaning toward the train ride, but were a little worried about it since we only have 4 nights in Paris and it is our first time going, so we'd like to see as much as possible. But it sounds like you think the the train ride is worth it?

Yes,

BTW, I didn't see anything hostile in Dukey's post at all.

And yes the discount intra-Europe airlines have very restrictive luggage allowances. I think the one I was considering was 20kg - ?? Make sure you check it out.

s

You can do much much better on the train fare than the fare you have announced -- have you tried the www.voyages-sncf.com site? Taking you at your word ("end of the month&quot, I just checked the fare for June 30th, and there are many possibilities still available for 55€ in 2nd class and 69.90€ in 1st class.

The other reason is environmental: for Nice-Paris, the train has a CO2 factor of 5kg, while a flight has a CO2 factor of 101kg per person. Think about it.

Thanks. I'm very environmentally conscious in general. I recycle, drive a hybrid, etc. But respectfully, but that's not my #1 concern on this once in a lifetime trip... I just wanted to know from a time/sightseeing perspective, which was better.

Sorry if my responses seemed "hostile" to you and glad you've reconsidered your travel decision.

Sometimes the truth hurts.

What truth hurts? I don't get it. If it's nicer to take the train, we'll do that, if not, we'll do the plane.

<A train trip, even in less-then-spectacular countryside, is still charming>

i doth disagree - the countryside is spectacular - bieng the quintessential French bucolic countryside - flying between cities you see little of what many believe to be Europe's most beautiful countryside - Provence and Burgundy being amongst the finest.

No not spectacular in the Swiss Alpine sense but something to take in - if you have already than it's not a factor.

I am not clear as to which airport you are flying into. Assuming you are coming into Nice.
You could take the train to Paris; fly home open jaw out of Paris instead of traveling back to Cannes.

Good luck!

The schedule shows high speed TGV trains with the following schedule.

Depart Nice Arrive Paris

09:37 15:05

11:36 17:25


Take the train. All the other time factors regarding security,baggage etc. really do add up. And if you fly you will be spending most of the flight trying to see France from 25,000 feet.

You will see it more clearly at ground level.

My husband and I love taking the train; we get a reserved seat in first class and settle in with our books and snacks. We pick up baguettes, ham, cheese, pastries, etc. and when we feel like it we open up the little table to full width and enjoy our moving feast as the sights pass by the window. The long distance trains have a food/bar car but we find we do better buying it ahead of time. You can sit back, relax, watch the passing scenery, read, snooze, whatever.

Look into the TGV between Marseille and Paris too. It takes 3 hours and Cannes is 3 hours from Marseille. I am going to Nice from Lausanne next month by FlyBaboo and am now regretting not booking TGV.

Three hours from Marseille to Paris is about right--but it will take that long to get from Nice to Marseille, as the high-speed rail tracks for the real TGV trains don't run to the coast.

I'm a big fan of flying from Nice to Paris; the Nice airport is quite nice. You can't check in for Paris flights until 1 hour before the flight; so the waiting time isn't all that much. As for luggage, last October we were able to check our 4 suitcases and carry on 2 pieces in addition. If you fly into the Orly airport you will need only a 20-minute taxi ride to be in central Paris.

The train can be a very nice way to travel if you have adequate time. The scenery on part of the TGV trip from Marseille to Paris is lovely in part, but at the train's speed it just whips right past.