I have a trip planned in June which includes a train change in Caen. My voyage starts about 8:30 AM in Bayeux and ends in Paris. There is a short leg to Caen, with a 11 minute layover, and a transfer to a TGV. My ticket covers the entire journey. In spite of the fact that I have a reserved ticket that covers the entire journey, is 11 minutes enough? Is SNCF obligated to get me to Paris if they have a problem out of my control? Would I expect to get a seat on the next TGV to Paris or something else? Would I still expect to get to Paris in a reasonable length of time? ...i.e. would SNCF possibly put me on a regional train that would get me there a lot later but satisfy the obligation getting me to Paris? Considering cancelling this ticket at my expense and buying another with a longer layover just to minimize my risk of wasting a lot more time (and possibly money).
Posted by
Chicago
8166 posts
Nothing to worry about 3 months in advance when in June the day light is long. You are overthinking this popular train route. Sncf will get you there on the ticket u bought. You would only worry if this was a business trip where you would lose money if the train is late. Is this?
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
It appears the next option after your chosen departure leaves Bayeux at 9:40 AM and gets to Paris at 12:06 PM, 61 minutes later than your scheduled arrival. That's a direct train (no change required), and the running time is actually less than with the ticketed routing, so missing the connection at Caen would probably not be a disaster for you.
If you want to be reasonably sure (assuming no strike) of getting to Paris at 11:05 AM, don't discard the ticket you've already bought; just buy a Bayeux-Caen ticket and take the 7:50 AM train from Bayeux to Caen, then wait in Caen for the Paris-bound train you're already ticketed on.
Posted by
Green Bay
21155 posts
Sorry, but I am not seeing any TGV from Caen to Paris. I do see a TER departing Bayeux at 8:25 am with an 11 minute transfer at Caen to another TER to Paris, arriving at 11:02. SNCF shows the TER from Caen branded as "NOMAD".
Posted by
Paris
7303 posts
Aren't there any direct trains that suit your schedule? Unless there is something happening that day, like engineering work, there should be direct trains every 2 hours or so. A much better stress-free choice.
Posted by
OP
USA
17 posts
Thanks for everyone's replies. And, yes, I goofed. The connecting trains at Caen are regional and not TGV.
Posted by
OP
USA
17 posts
I was able to get a refund on the original ticket and purchased another which was a direct train to Paris. It was a leaving a little later than ideal but an acceptable compromise.