Would love to find a nonstop train, if possible. The ones I've found have tight (to me) transfers of 10 or 17 mins. Not super comfortable with that and not being a regular train traveler.
We'll have a car, was going to return it in Caen but if it makes sense to return it in/closer to Paris then we're open to that.
Thanks in advance!
I'm not sure where you're looking, but I believe there are plenty of direct trains from Caen to Paris.
Perhaps it depends on the day of week or time of day you're traveling, or which train station in Paris you put as your destination. But try http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers, and be sure you select Paris (All Stations) as your destination.
We took a direct train from Caen to Paris last year and there were numerous time choices available. Car rental return in Caen was super easy as they are located next to the station.
In May, we returned our car in Caen and had a direct train to Paris. Is there a possibility you might need to look earlier in the day? I think we left Caen at 10 am or so on a Saturday. What dates are you looking at?
I see direct trains, but none without stops but maybe I'm looking too far in advance? We want to book this for Sat Sept 17.
Thanks for the info!
Are you using the website Lane linked to above or another website that might not be giving you all the possibilities?
Looking on the SNCF website for your dates, I don't see any direct trains from Caen to Paris. They all require changes. Perhaps they're doing work on the line?
A 17 minute transfer is not tight in a smaller station like Le Mans, unless you have some reason for reduced mobility (heavy bags, traveling with small children, slow walker, etc). Even then, it should be fine. Looking at Le Mans station on Google Maps, it appears that it only has 4 platforms, and that there are elevators. So, you arrive on a platform, take the elevator down to the passageway connecting the platforms, then find your next platform and take the elevator up to it. That is, if our arrival and departure platforms are not across from each other; then no elevator is needed. Of course, there are stairs as well.
Harold, that's what I found too - no nonstop trains.
Thank you for the info about Le Mans. We don't have limited mobility, but were just worried if it was enough time between speaking French poorly and unfamiliarity with the train station.
Thank you, this is so helpful!
I'm not sure why you are only seeing trains with connections. When I go to the French rail site, http://results.en.voyages-sncf.com/?clientId=69ea9b16-9685-4d06-97bb-949e4ec6c87c&language=en&country=EN#/, and pick a random date in the future, I see all kinds of direct trains with no changes (I clicked on details to check) for about 21€. We took a similar no change train from Caen to Gare Saint Lazare in Paris a few years ago. Like another poster said, several car rental places are across the street from the Caen train station. I'd recommend dropping off the car in Caen also.
EDIT: I noticed on my search that a button was checked that said Direct Only. I didn't choose it but it brought up the list for me with only the ~2h direct trains.
Mona - I see what you mean on the link you posted. Maybe I am looking too far in advance (booking for Sept 17)?
When I put that date in the website all the trains come up with a connection.
Not sure if this link will go directly to what I'm seeing: http://results.en.voyages-sncf.com/?clientId=69ea9b16-9685-4d06-97bb-949e4ec6c87c&language=en&country=EN#/?queryId=kkvIo
Pam - I tried the link Lane posted and it says that it's not bookable yet. So maybe I am looking too far in advance (for Sept 17) and therefore not seeing all the non stop options?
Since direct trains (not nonstop but with no connection) from Caen to Paris are for sale today for several days on both sides of your Saturday, Sept. 17 travel date, planned construction on that specific date is the likely explanation. The bigger problem is that the suggested detour puts you onto a more expensive TGV train (also for sale now).
Since you have a car, I would look at returning it closer to Paris. Be sure to confirm the Saturday hours of any car rental office.
Laura, thank you! That information is so helpful. I'll look at returning the car closer to Paris, that's a great suggestion and I appreciate it very much!
We got tickets to/from Caen for 15 each way in advance with plenty of direct trains so it does look like an anomaly that day. If I were you, I would just drop the car at CDG and take the RER into Paris given the Caen issue.
