Which train from CDG to Avignon, and Prems or Loisir?
 

Our flight is scheduled to land at CDG at 6:55. We plan to take a TGV to Avignon. We don't check any bags, so in terms of timing, our only concerns are allowing a cushion in case the flight is delayed, and the amount of time it takes to get through customs and immigration.

There is an 8:30 AM train but I'm worried 95 minutes may not be enough time if our flight is delayed. The next train is at 10AM so that seems safer with a 3 hour cushion.

The 10AM has Prems available for 40 Euro or Loisir for 70 Euro. I gather the Loisir tickets can be exchanged on the same day for a 10 Euro fee -- is this true even after the train has departed? In other words, if we miss the train we're booked on and it has already left, can we rebook on any of the later trains that day for 10 Euro? (I know the tickets aren't returnable after the train has departed, but we're not worried about being able to return them, only exchanging them for a later train.)

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Here is a quote from the tgv-europe.com site:

"Loisirs fares: your tickets are exchangeable and refundable without charge until the day before departure. If changed on the day of departure, a €10 charge per person per journey is made. After departure your tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable."

Thanks -- I think that seems to argue for booking the 10AM or later, Loisir fare, and then possibly changing our tickets on arrival if we are able to make the 8:30AM train instead. Thoughts?

I'd buy the PREMs if your concern is missing the train, as Tim quoted (you can read the terms on the website of all tickets, in fact, I thought you had to read them and agree that you read them), since the Loisir does you no good in that regard.

As for the timing? That's up to you, it's just opinion and your taste for risk, there is no right or wrong choice. It's always that kind of choice when your flight is at an awktime time compared to the trains you want. I don't know what I'd do, probably the 10 as I tend to be risk averse, but in theory, you should be able to make the 8:30, except for plane delays, as you said. I always fly Air France and perhaps I'm lucky, but I don't think any of their flights to Paris have ever been late in my memory that I've been on, in fact, they are always a bit early. Other airlines may have other patterns, of course, and it probably also depends on the departure airport.

There is one positive, if you take the later train, you would not get there too early to check into your hotel, either (if that is what you are doing).

sorry, I didn't see your post -- the issue is that if you get there early and buy a ticket on the earlier train, it will not be a discount price, of course, it will be the full fare ticket. So you'll get the price of the Loisir minus 10 euro to apply to it, but it won't be cheap.

I'm torn...
The 8:30 train also has 45 Euro tickets in 1st class, but those tickets are a lot more on the later trains.

My vote would be to book Prem's fare tickets for the 10:00 train. No fretting about a possible delayed flight and a lot less money. Use your layover time at CDG to enjoy coffee and a croissant and to buy supplies for a picnic lunch on the train.

Done -- thanks all!

Even if you arrived early with changeable tickets, you might end up taking the later train using the ticket you already have anyway.

Several times, I have had this type of situation with railroads in many countries. I think I have actually managed to change reservations to earlier trains just once. The rest, when I saw long ticket window queues, I just said, forget it and just enjoyed local goodies as suggested by TimS.

CdG has a well-earned reputation for its soul-testing variety of potential delays. I'm not the only one on this board who has enjoyed a half-hour ride as the plane trundles from the runway touchdown -- which counts as the official landing -- to the jetway door, followed by a maze of corridors and stairways to find the Immigration lines. The clock will be ticking every second. So either be prepared to pay a supplemental fee if your Loisir has to be switched (plus some rigmarole about seat reservations) or resign yourself to a restful hour or two sipping coffee if, for some unlikely reason, you get to the TGV too early. Or, to be briefer (although it's too late) there is no way of knowing the future at CdG with absolute certainty.