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Best way to travel from CDG Airport to Les Eyzies

Posted by on

Hello everyone,

My partner and I arrive at the CDG airport on August 10th and will need to get to Les Eyzies the same day. I arrive from the US at 11:25 am. My partner arrives at 12:45 pm from Spain. We were thinking of taking the train and I have researched how to get to the trains, but I am wondering about how much time to allow for baggage claim and getting to trains. Also, if booking in advance for the train is best or not and why. We would prefer to pay the cheaper rates as the train I found would be 78 euros for both of us from Paris Montparnasse to Bordeaux St-Jean at 3:17 pm. All other trains are much more expensive (like 140-160 euros). I researched the travel time and it would work, however, my partner has a checked bag (I do not) and I am not sure how long to expect to retrieve it and then get to the trains under the second terminal. Any recommendations? Originally we planned to drive the long trek, but I am hoping we can take the train and have some rest on it before driving from Bordeaux to Les Eyzies. Thank you for any information you all provide!

**thank you for all the tips already - I fully am aware this is insane to try and drive (not my idea) but we will take turns and I am the only one with the overnight flight...I also sleep anywhere so sleeping on the plane is not a struggle for me. Looking into trains was an alternative to driving. It was a good insight to know about the holiday. Something I hadn't thought of. I will be looking into holidays for the rest of our trip as well.

Posted by
28716 posts

It would be really, really, unsafe to fly overnight from the US/Canada and then rent a car to drive all the way to the Dordogne--possibly having had no sleep at all. ViaMichelin estimates that at a 6-hour drive with no traffic tie-ups, no stops (no meals), no getting lost, etc. Of course it also doesn't include time to get out of the airport and pick up a rental car.

I have never set foot in CDG Airport (though will be flying out of there tomorrow), so I cannot provide guidance on a prudent amount of time to allow between scheduled flight arrival and train departure. Those who can, will probably want to know what time your flight is supposed to arrive.

I'm sure you realize that it is theoretically possible for your flight to be hours late and/or for there to be a terrible back-up at Immigration. No train departure time is going to be absolutely guaranteed to be safe.

Posted by
7349 posts

Most people here would look at departures from Paris Montparnasse no less than four hours after your plane's scheduled landing, assuming you take a cab (55€) from the airport to the station. If you find a train from CDG to Bordeaux that you like, then three hours will do. Book soon! Trains do fill up.
Arrange car rental in Bordeaux ASAP, checking rental office closing hours. Autoeurope works well for comparison and for booking.

A tip for next time, remember that train bookings open at least three months before - and sometimes more ahead of summer: anticipation, if possible, means cheaper fares.

Posted by
21576 posts

You don't say what time your plane is scheduled to arrive at CDG. Be aware that the train you are looking at is a Ouigo train, a no-frills train that requires you to buy the ticket on line and be at the platform 30 minutes before departure. Pack whatever refreshments you need because there are no services on the train, even water. Also, there are luggage restrictions and you may need to pay extra for that.
https://en.oui.sncf/en/ouigo

Posted by
10805 posts

You have a couple snaffus to work around.

August 10th, a Saturday, is a vacation departure day for Parisians, Belgians, Dutch, Germans, all going south for vacations. Additionally the 15th is a holiday. Roads, trains and planes will be full.

CDG to Les Eyzies is a long haul. Once in Bordeaux, or Toulouse, you have to rent a car and drive in August traffic for a couple of hours.

Why don’t you see about flying to either Bordeaux or Toulouse and drive from there. You’d have to work with your airline to either add a leg if flying Sky Team, or change a flight if flying AA or United and partners.

Posted by
8770 posts

What Bets said. It is nuts to try to drive after an all night flight -- if you don't care about each other at least care about other poor souls on the road. Trains are about a third early when tickets come on sale what they are last minute and you run the risk of them being sold out last minute. Consider just heading for a large city in the Dordogne by train from Paris and then getting a good night's sleep and picking up the car in the morning. Or fly and do the same.

The rule of thumb is 3 hours from plane to train at CDG and 4 from Paris. This provides a cushion for a late plane and slow immigration.

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