I will be flying into Paris on Sat May 13, and be immediately heading for Lyon. All the info I have read says that reservations are necessary for the TGV, but I don't want to risk missing my train if the plane arrives late, and on the other hand don't want to be sitting at the station for longer than necessary if I make a reservation for later in the afternoon. What are the odds of getting a seat if I simply purchase a ticket upon arrival?

I hope someone a little more authoritative than I can get in on this one, but here is what I know about it: <BR>Riding the TGV requires a reservation. <BR>There are many TGV's per day to Lyon from Paris. As far as I know they all leave from Gare de Lyon. <BR>It is possible to make a reservation in advance by using the SNCF web site at: <BR>http://www.sncf.fr/indexe.htm <BR>The French use the term validate much in the sense of confirm and continue your inquiry to the next level. You must scroll to the right to enter in your age category before the interrogater will allow you to continue. If you pursue it far enough, you will be asked to enter your name, e-mail address, and other info. I tried this same approach last year for the TGV from Gare de Lyon to Lausanne. The SNCF system emailed me a confirmation with a code number. But, after I arrived in Paris I went to Gare Montparnasse to purchase the actual ticket. Even though I had a printout of the SNCF email, with all of the code numbers, the sales agent claimed to have no knowledge of the situation. <BR>But I got the ticket anyhow with no trouble. Fortunately, I made the actual purchase 4 days before I left. <BR>You might try this approach to see if yo cannot arrange the ticket ahead of time. <BR>I guess you could go to Rail Europe, but they have a hefty surcharge. <BR>Is it too late to change your airline schedule and fly directly into Lyon?? <BR>

Well, I learned something. <BR>Some of the TGV's to Lyon leave from Charles de Gaulle Aiport. So you do not have to worry about getting to Gare de Lyon. The increase in fare is far less than you would pay to ride a van or anything else. And the convenience is absolutely unbeatable. <BR>By the way, the Rail Europe price is almost 30% higher: $77 versus $60 (depending on the rate of exchange -- yesterday it was 7 francs for 1 US $$. <BR>Good luck on this scheduling. <BR>If you can reserve via the SNCF computer, then it looks like you have it made. I would allow ample time for getting through passport control, and put in a fudge factor for the plane being late. Being a conservative, I would say 2 hours. CDG is a big and confusing airport to me -- and I regularly use Atlanta's Hartsfield, which is huge. But it is logically laid out. I don't have the same impression of cDG.

I won't claim to be authoritative - - this is based on an experience of one, taking the TGV directly from CDG to Avignon (which also requires a reservation). <BR> <BR>Not at all true that Lyon departures only from Gare de Lyon. Perhaps because Aeroport CDG is right at the top of the list, it is easy to quickly scroll down past it to Paris on the www.sncf.fr website. <BR> <BR>There are departures at 6:56, 7:24, 9:45, 11:24, 14:05 and more. I agree that www.raileurope.com will add a good deal to your cost (on the order of $20? to a ticket that SNCF prices at 418 FF) but it might avoid the experience described by Bob Brown. <BR> <BR>But I think that you will do fine just going to the ticket counter. Yes, a reservation is required, in the sense that every seat is assigned, just like on airlines (Southwest excluded). But they will sell you any and every seat not yet sold right up to the time of departure, and make the "reservation" at the same time. And I'm poretty sure you can actually get on the train and ride with no ticket and no reservation. the fare-collector/ticket-checker will sell you the fare on board. If every seat has been sold, you would not legally be permitted to sit down, but you CAN (theoretically) stand the whole way (in contrast to air travel). I don't think that this is unlawful, and they sure won't stop the train and throw you off (you do, of course, have to pay the fare, sitting or not).

I see that you re-posted while I was composing my message, Bob. <BR> <BR>CDG more confusing than Atlanta? Apples and oranges to me, but one difference for sure is that you do have to go outside to get from your arrival terminal to the CDG station. the word is "navette" (shuttle) and surprisingly for such a big international airport, the English word shuttle does not seem to be in evidence anywhere. <BR> <BR>Two hours will be a ton of time; 45 minutes would be perhaps too close for comfort. But I think that a reservation for a train later than you need will still be honored whenever you show up. Obviously, if every seat has been sold, there is nothing that can be done about that (since they are assigned); but they would tell you that at the counter, and advise you on when you can go, whether you have made a reservation or not. I think the same would hold for a reservation that you happen to miss. There will be no penalty, and they will just assign you to the next available train.

Thanks Bob & Rex <BR> <BR>After checking out the sncf site I think that I will just go for the spur of the moment. In keeping with all my past trips where the only hard and fast item was my plane ticket there & back...why lose the sense of adventure now?

Daniel, based on a trip to Lyon via TGV from CDG a year ago and one to Avignon with a stop in Lyon via TGV from CDG last month, I offer the following: There is an SNCF (train) ticket office in CDG or you can get your ticket and reservation at the TGV station. Take the navette to the TGV station. The navette is probably in the vicinity of Porte 26 or 28--look at the signs overhead. The navette (shuttle) will have TGV on the front. On the bus, I think there is an announcement in both French and English of the stations. If you speak French, you will have no trouble asking the driver if you are on the right bus or if you have the right stop. I think it is the last stop. If you don't speak French, ask the driver TGV, pronounced "tay jay vay." The "jay" is not quite the right pronunciation, but I think s/he will understand. As you enter the building, the ticket office is on the right. Get in the correct line. Most ticket sellers speak some English, I believe. Be sure you "composter" your ticket before you go to the track. To do that, you put your ticket in an orange machine that punches a hole in the edge. The trip is an easy, pleasant two-hour ride. Bon voyage.

Daniel,Bob,Rex...I'm headed to Lyon as well on May 14th. I'm considering a rail/drive package. My wife and I have 3 days to spend. Can you offer any help <BR>with regard to places to stay, and or <BR>resaturants?? How about day trips from <BR>Lyon to local points of interest ? <BR>Thanks in advance for your assist....

Edward: I am not ignoring your question. <BR>I just don't know because I have not been to Lyon. Better people than I can answer.

Last time I was in Lyon on business we went to Geneva for the day - 2 hour train ride and it was very scenic as well. We also did Paris as a day trip - also 2 hours away. (this time I'm getting 5 days in Paris!!) Lyon is quite nice - the Roman ruins are very interesting. I believe that the tour bus company also offered a "wine tour" of the area for a day trip once a week.

Edward, <BR> <BR>Unfortunately I can't be of much help about Lyon. For me it is simply a quick stop as I carry on to Annecy. Hopefully someone else can help you out <BR> <BR>Daniel

About 30 miles north of Lyon, I give two thumbs way up for Chateau Longsard - - www.chateauxandcountry.com/chateaux/longsard - - and the owners, Olivier and his (American) wife Alex(andra) will direct you to any number of good restaurants. <BR> <BR>Give them my best regards! <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>