jersey45

We are landing at Orly at 9:30 am on Open Skies and traveling from there to Avignon. I am trying to determine if we should take the TVG from Paris (I think at Gare de Lyon?) to Avignon or connect at Orly to Air France flight to Marseilles and take the train from there to Avignon. If you recommend the TGV, how much time should we allow for immigration at Orly and then travel to the TGV? The train and flight are currently about the same price.
(We would not get a rental car in Marseilles as we are meeting up with my family who are arriving from different places and will have 2 rental cars for the week there.)
Thanks!

Sarastro

What you mean to say is that you are scheduled to land ORY at 09h30. There are no guarantees that your flight will be on time. You should anticipate the unknown.

I might suggest you book the 12h55 from Massey (not Gare de Lyon) to Avignon. The 15h25 would be even safer.

Southam

Some tips for a first-time poster: Any question about air routes is better answered when the initial departure city is provided. For instance, if you arrive at Orly on a long-haul flight by Air France or its partners, a connection to Marseille could be included at almost no extra cost. If you are buying the Orly-Marseille flight separately, a ticket for summer bought now on Air France non-stop might cost about a third of what a ticket for next month costs. Although the TGV service from Gare de Lyon is fine, the Marseille airport does have rail connections to nearby Avignon, either a TER train from the airport into Avignon Centre or via a quick shuttle bus to the Aix TGV station. Research tools: Avignon Airport http://www.marseille-airport.com/acc...rain-or-by-bus
Orly airport: http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/en/homepage (go to the section explaining access to Gare de Lyon for the TGV.)
Incidentally, I do not know the agency you mentioned but it appears to be for insiders, so you may have access to connections that ordinary customers do not.

jersey45

Thank you for your time and suggestions. I should have clarified that we are flying from Newark to Paris Orly on British Air subsidiary Open Skies, scheduled to land at 9:30 am on March 30. Our options are to take an Air France flight to Marseille, then train to Avignon or the TGV to Avignon TGV. I appreciate knowing that the preferable station if we take the TGV would be from Massy. With either option I know we have the possibility of being delayed on our arrival flight and missing either the Air France flight or the TGV. I am leaning towards the flight only because I think it would be faster getting to our destination in Avignon.

Christina

I'd probably fly if I were already at the airport, seems easier. Or I do take the TGV when landing at CDG sometimes because it leaves from there, but in your case, that doesn't hold true.

I'd probably take a flight from ORY to Lyon, not to MRS. Flight costs are about the same (both have short flights on Air France/Hop for less than 100 euro), but there are some TGVs direct to Avignon from the Lyon St Exupery airport. Not a lot, but if not, the airport train goes directly to the train station Part Dieu where the TGV goes to Lyon. I've taken it, it is very convenient and relatively cheap. By contrast, getting from MRS to the Marseille train station takes more time/trouble (I've done both). The actual train trip from Marseille or Lyon to Avignon isn't that different in the overall schedule (from Marseille about 35 min, from Lyon about 1:10 hr, 1 hr if you can get one from the airport).

See which air schedule is more convenient, also. If you land at 9:30, there is an AF flight to MRS at 11:10 or 2. There is a Hop/AF flight to LYS at 1:25. The problem is you don't have a connecting flight so you have to check in all over again. I'd be afraid to book the 11:10 AF flight to MFS given those conditions -- if you are checking baggage especially. But I wouldn't worry about the 1:25 flight which gets you there quicker than the 2 pm one to MRS.

There are some direct trains from MRS to Avignon, as noted above, several a day (more to Avignon center than the TGV station). But that could work for you if you get there in time (there are more to Avignon center than Avignon TGV). Otherwise, you have to take a bus somewhere like Marseille or Aix to get the train, or take a train there. But to get a train at MRS requires some doing, also, the station is not right at the airport. I had trouble as it is a shuttle but when I was there, you couldn't buy a ticket from a clerk, only by machine which wouldn't take nonchip credit cards.

I'd figure out your schedule and try to figure out which works better if you fly -- to MRS or LYS. I probably would not want to wait to get a TGV from Massy at 3:30 pm only to get to Avignon around 7 pm. Very long day, but it would work. If you did take the Hop flight to LYS at 1:25 pm (arr. 2:25 pm), you could probably get the 4:06 pm TGV to Avignon and arrive at 5:14 pm.

jersey45

Thank you very much for taking the time to give me all of these options. Although the 11:10 flight to Marseille was tempting, I didn't want to take the chance of such a tight connection. There is an Air France flight showing at 12:30 arriving at 1:45 that I was hoping would be doable but I will plot it all out along with your other recommendations. Thanks again.

PalenQ

Flying will be infinitely easier since you are at the airport - otherwise yes Gare de Lyon has about hourly services to Avignon and the infrequent TGV to Avignon from Paris-Massy - lots more from Gare de Lyon.

And unless you buy a discounted ticket which is non-changeable non-refundable if you miss it at full price you'd probably pay $100 or more -say if you just want to head to Gare d Lyon or Massy.

Taking the train from Marseille to Avignon will not cost nearly as much (but you should book in advance as reservations are required on most TGVs before boarding and they do sell out I think in 2nd class. www.voyages-SNCF.com - or www.capitainetrain.com - same fares same trains. For lots of info on French trains check www.seat61.com - good advice on discounted tickets; wwwbudgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

jersey45

Thanks very much! I have used some of those websites for other European travel and appreciate you reminding me about them. Prowling around on the internet I discovered that I also have the option of taking the bus from Marseille Airport to Aix TGV station to catch a train to the Avignon TGV station. It further appears that there is a train from Avignon TGV station to the town where my family is staying which also makes it easier for them picking us up.

PalenQ

Avignon TGV station to the town>

You mean to town, like in Avignon, yes or also to Arles and other places from the TGV station a few miles outside of Avignon - the Avignon-Ville or - Centre station right in town has lots of trains to many places to - the shuttle train from Avignon-TGV takes you there.

and yes bus to Aix TGV seems like a good option.

PalenQ

Many TGVs these days are double-deckers and the view from the upper deck is much nicer IME than from the sunken lower deck where views are often blocked by fences, wind blocks and retaining walls. When you book your own ticket see if you can chose the Upper Deck if wanting to see much at all.

PalenQ

Aix-en-Provence is a really nice town too - an old old town with a young feel from its many students studying there - including many Americans - suave Paris-like boulevards - a nice stop for a day and then a short train ride to Avignon.

PalenQ

https://www.google.com/search?q=aix+...HbCHBzMQsAQIRA

I actually think Aix to be a tad bit 'nicer' than Avignon or Arles - really neat cities - and does not have many nice easy day trips - as do Avignon/Arles - either by public transports or even better a car.

rouelan

Aix TGV would be a good option but bear in mind it Is middle of nowhere.but it Is conveniently situated on the bus route between MRS airport and Aix.

PalenQ

Direct buses meet TGV trains at Aix-en-Provence TGV station to go into Aix itself - taking about 20 minutes or so - yes TGV is remote from Aix but easy to get to from the TGV station.