Transfer problems in Paris
 

I'll be arriving in CDG at 4:05 pm from Athens on a Saturday,and I'll need to catch a TGV at 5:44pm at Gare de Lyon to Beaune,because the Tgv from CDG only arrives in Beaune late at night.Is 1 hour and 40 min enough to get into town,pick-up the TKT and get on the train?Which is my best option for this transfer?I'm flying Air France,are those AF buses free in this case?Thank you so much for your replies.

I'm sorry,I'l be arriving at CDG at 3:05 Pm not 4:05pm

That gives me 2 hours and 40 min,Is that doable?

Should be, I would take the train into the city to make sure you don't have any traffic issues.

Hi H,

For transfer from CDG to GdL see www.ratp.fr.

You might make it by cab or shuttle van.

However, consider delays because your plane arrives late, you actually land out in the middle of nowhere and have to take a bus to the Terminal, Passport Control is slow, your baggage takes forever. These could easily eat up 1:30 to 2 hr.

It takes about 0:40 to 1 hr to get into the city.

((I))

What has passport control got to do with anything?

I don't think the AF buses are free in any case, why would you think it would be free for you?

I think they are free if you have an AF ticket and need to transfer between CDG and Orly airports to get the second segment of your flight.

2:40 should be okay, but may make it a little tight, depending on how long it takes you to get out of the airport and pick up your bags. If you are only doing carryon, that will make it quicker. Actually, it shouldn't be a problem--if it took you one hour to get out of the airport, the bus to Gare de Lyon is only about 45 minutes. So there should be room in there to get the tickets and if you have a little wait for the bus. YOu can't dwadle though, you never know how long the lines will be at the train station to pick up your tickets. I've seen them really long and take maybe 30 minutes.

I take it there's no chance to print your TGV ticket on home printer? (certain fares only)

Gare de Lyon is very large and the lines can be long. I hope it all works out for you.

I seem to recall that a common reason for not being able to print tickets for French trains is that you haven't removed the insurance option from the booking

Hi Flanner,

>What has passport control got to do with anything?

You are correct. Greece anf France are Schengen countries.

Hi Alan,

You can now print out PREMS tickets from www.voyages-sncf.com even if you buy the insurance.

((I))

I think you should probably be able to make it, using the Air France Bus. I've done that with less time with no problem.

Doesn't luggage often take a long time to arrive at CDG? If it's at all possible, I think this particular instance is a strong argument for carry-on only packing. You might save up to an hour or so.

You can book tickets up to 90 days in advance at www.sncf.com. Click on the British flag in the lower left-hand corner to view the site in English. To get a PREM'S (discount) ticket, book as soon as the 90-day window opens. Leave France as the default country, do NOT choose cancellation insurance, and print your own ticket. If you have to pay full fare, then choose the option of picking up your ticket at Gare de Lyon. In that case, you'll have to stand in line to get it.

The Air France bus will NOT be free. You might want to check out this helpful site: www.easycdg.com.

I am going to vote for Taxi this time. Considering that you are traveling on a saturday, traffic should be okay. If you dont want to spring for a taxi , the air france bus is another good option. Check this website for info on the Air France bus :

http://www.cars-airfrance.com/

Beyond that you could take the RER to Gare de Lyon via Chatelet.

I'd like to thank everybody for all the information you've given me,and would like to add that I did get the PREM'S tkts,but I wasn't able to print the tkt myself(IT didn't give that option,even though I didn't buy the insurance)On my way to Athens I'm going to spend a couple of hours at CDG,is there a place where I can Pick-up the tkts before hand?Thank you so much for your help...

You can go to the TGV ticket office in the train station within Terminal 2 between halls C/E.