Train from Paris to Avignon

I have gone to the SNCF site as suggested by this forum and I was able to navigate the site without problems. I want to go from the airport to Avignon but return to a more central Paris train station. I want to go to my hotel on the Left Bank.

I want to know if there is availability on this site to make return reservations leaving from the airport but returning to a local train station.

Also if I buy insurance I cannot print my tickets at home but will have to pick them up at the rail terminal at the airport. Will this be confusing to pick up the tickets at the airport? I don%26#39;t speak French.

I am fearful that my flight from the US will be delayed and I could miss my train.

|||

Let me see if I understand you...

You want to travel from CDG to Avignon and then return to Paris, not CDG, is that correct so far? Yes you can do this and get any discounts that may be applicable for a RT journey between Paris and Avignon but you will have to call the SNCF English language sales desk in Paris to buy your tickets. You will find the number in this page by MorganB which you should read if you have not already done so: http://tinyurl.com/qpdef

Now as to the trip insurance. I think you misunderstand the purpose of this. The insurance will cover you in case of some unavoidable cancellation of your trip due to serious illness or the like, not the late arrival of your flight. If you are concerned about that eventuality you need to buy fully refundable tickets in the first place. PREMs and other similar discounted fares are either non-refundable or only partially refundable. With a refundable ticket you can simply exchange your tickets for a later train if your flight is delayed. (BTW, I think if you take the insurance option you will be able to get your tickets *only* by mail, not a good plan when you live in the US.)

If you have to pick your tickets up at the airport or another station you just show up at the ticket window with your confirmation email in hand AND the EXACT SAME credit card you used to buy your tickets online. Nothing to it.

Hope this answers your questions.

|||

And BTW all daytime trains from Avignon to Paris arrive at Gare de Lyon which is actually on the Right Bank but probably not too far from your Left Bank hotel. In any case however far it is is how far it is...

|||

Thank you so much, I will not get the insurance. Guess, I will take a chance a buy the cheaper ticket. Now, I have another problem. My husband and I will have two 22%26quot; suitcases and two carryon wheeled suitcases. Will we have a problem with luggage in 2nd class or will there be more room in 1st class? Difference in fare is almost double.

|||

What time of year will you be traveling? Luggage space on TGV trains can be a problem. I%26#39;ve been on trains where there wasn%26#39;t ANY space for the ONE tiny bag I had. I stuffed it under my seat. Many people have to lug their bags to other train cars in search of space. It isn%26#39;t always like this, but in peak travel times, it is not at all uncommon.

I%26#39;d say 50% of the times that I have been on TGV trains, there has been no available space for my bag.

Can you not travel a little more lightly? I think you%26#39;d be glad you did. There are laundramats all over France. That is the most important advice I give my friends and family. Try to pack one bag - with one flattened empty bag at the bottom (for souvenirs) and one weeks worth of clothing. It makes traveling SO much more enjoyable.

The size of your luggage is not a problem if space is available. Many people take large bags onto the train. That is one reason space may not be available.

Best of luck to you.

P.S. there is no more luggage space in 1st class than 2nd and you will find passengers from both classes of travel storing their bags all over the train - especially when space is limited.

|||

There is no more luggage storage in 1st but there are less people in the first class cars which gives more space per person to store their luggage. If you want to have plenty of room for your luggage, just get to the train station about 30 mins before the train. The train platform will be posted 20 minutes before departure. Board right away and you will find room for your luggage easily. I personally have experienced what toutou is describing only on very rare occassion. However, I do avoid peak travel times.

|||

Perhaps part of my luggage issues have been because I am normally taking the train from Avignon TGV to Paris. It starts out in Marseille (under most circumstances). So, the train is often nearly full before it arrives to pick me up.

As MorganB said, the train from Paris to Avignon can be easier if you get there early and are ready to board as soon as the train arrives and allows it.

|||

Ahh toutou, that explains it! Since I always start at the beginning of the line the train is empty when I get on. Yes I can see how you would have a hard time finding a place for your luggage. But, you get to live in the south of France. How wonderful that must be!

|||

Try taking the Monday 6 am TGV from Avignon to Paris. It is packed full with weekly commuters. The only really nice thing about it is they don%26#39;t usually have luggage and they don%26#39;t talk - tis quiet and you can try to get a few moments of shut eye.

Yes, I have never overlooked the fact that I am SO very lucky to live where I live.

I still absolutely adore going to Paris when I can.

|||

I am going to be in Avignon late in April, and leaving the beginning of May. Don%26#39;t forget the luggage that I mentioned is for two people, we each have one suitcase and one carry on. Unfortunately, I can%26#39;t consolidate space any more as after my vacation in Avignon I have business in Euope and a good bit of the suitcase will be filled with business papers. I was thinking of taking the around 11 am train from Paris to Avignon and then returning to Paris on either the 7 or 9 am train. I think that the 1st class cars will be less full and will create less of a problem. Last July, when I went just for the day from Venice to Florence, the 1st class car was mainly empty.

|||

I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll be fine AGAD. I try to take the shortest journey trains - 2 hours 40 minutes (Avignon-Paris). The longer ones stop more often and can require train changes. Just FYI.

Enjoy your vacation. The almonds and apricots are already beginning to bloom.