I just noticed that there is a direct train from Paris to aix-en-provence TGV station in 3 hrs +, but to go from Paris to Aix-en-provence city center it takes 4-5 hours.
How does one go from one train station to the other?
How far apart are they?
With suitcases which is the most convenient way to go to city center? Are there shuttle buses?
As usual thank you for your input!
It appears the L040 bus is your best bet. The schedule indicates departures every 15 minutes, and the trip takes 19 minutes. Be sure you get on the bus going in the right direction; don't head out to the Marseille airport!
It's possible a local train would also be an option, but I'm not seeing that on the current schedule; perhaps when we get past the pandemic things will look different.
The Aix-en-Provence TGV railway station is about 12-13 km away (as the crow flies) from the city center, where Aix's other railway station is. So it is not terribly far, but neither is it feasible to walk between the two stations.
A bus as acraven has identified, or a taxi, are the ways to get between Aix TGV and Aix city center. There is no rail connection between the two stations (without doing something impractical/unrealistic like going all the way to Marseille and transferring to backtrack from there) so there is no local train shuttle available!
When I did this in 2019, I just took a taxi from outside the TGV station. They are lined up waiting for the train. The fare was 30.10E and worth it to me to be delivered directly to the door of my hotel and not having to pull my small rollaboard thru the fairly crowded sidewalks during mid-day.
We did this in reverse in 2019. We were in Aix-en-Provence after the Best of Eastern France tour, and had moved to a smaller, quieter hotel north of the city center for a few days. We took a city bus from our hotel to the city train station, then switched to another bus that took us to the TGV station for our return to Paris. It was quick, easy, and not at all crowded.
Luggage might be a concern, though. We had carry-on only, and could take our bags on the buses with no problem.
My travel there was a while back. The bus to town from the TGV station was so simple I barely remember it. I don't remember a wait or any problem with bags. If your bags are ones that you regularly maneuver of other forms of public transportation, it should be no problem.
Agree with CD, the bus from the AixTGV was no problem at all. You put your luggage in the storage area underneath before you board.
Just fly your private jet to AXIE (LMFA) in Les Milles. Its a short Limo ride to downtown AIX :)