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October 2025 France Trains

Posted by (USA) on

Hello,

I've looked at quite a few threads on the forum and just want to make sure I am on the right path here.

https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/home/doorToDoor/itineraries I'm using the official website.

We're planning on
Oct 8 land at CDG
Train or Taxi to Paris
Paris to Bayeux Train

sleep in Bayeux 4 nights

Bayeux to Rouen Train on Sunday Oct 12
Sleep in Rouen 2 nights

Rouen to Paris Tues Oct 14
Sleep in Paris 3 nights

Friday Oct 17 fly back out of CDG, train or taxi to airport

Most posts advise that none of these trains need to be booked more than a couple of weeks to a couple of days in advance. Is this the general consensus? I am also hesitant to book a tickets for the day we land in case we would miss it? My only experience on the trains in France are a short ride within Paris and then the ride from Paris to Versailles but I had the Navigo Decouverte pass then (on the RS Paris tour) but I don't think that's helpful for this trip, I am expecting to just load passes onto our Navigo Easy cards for rides within Paris. And I attempted to do the math for these train rides (2 adults) and it doesn't seem that a rail pass would be money saving in the least.

But to get to the point, I'm just too early to be seriously booking train tickets right now, correct? Check back in September or early October? I haven't bought the plane tickets yet but do have hotels books and a 2 day Overlord Tour. Thinking about a trip to Mont St Michel but I also don't want to shortchange Bayeux. I am aware that the tapestry will be off display while we're there.

Posted by
8464 posts

Yes the regional trains TER Nomad for Normandy in this case do not need to booked in advance.

For example I booked my ticket the night before when I went to Giverny (this is on the same line to Rouen and Bayeux) to visit Monet's house.
They are every day commuter trains. From my experience they do get crowded with students going to the university in Rouen so I recommend getting a ticket to sit in the 1st class area for a few dollars more. Moreover, the full schedule for October 2025 is not out yet. When you buy this kind of regional train ticket it is good for any train on the route any time that day.

Posted by
70 posts

Train reservations are available for October. For example, we bought tkts €10 each for Paris to Rouen. A promotional offer. Our experience reserve as soon as you feel comfortable- more opportunity for deals. We use the SNCF connect App. Easy and efficient.

Posted by
151 posts

Do we need to know the exact time now? That will be really hard, especially for the one on arrival day depending on what our flights and security take for time.

If there's an advantage of booking now, I'm fine with that.

Edit: I finally got an account on the SNCF app. May I buy both my husband's and my tickets on my account or does he need his own account on his phone?

Posted by
70 posts

Using app you can add your travel partner. Also you can enter birthdate info to receive senior discount. I purchase the tkts then place in Apple Wallet.

Posted by
4211 posts

I thought you had to purchase a senior discount card to get a senior discount. I’m not sure that just adding your age to the reservation is enough to lower the price.
I have a dear friend who lives in Normandy outside of Cherbourg. He buys his train ticket on the SNCF app while he is on his way to Paris from CDG. You could try doing that or you could just go ahead and buy a ticket for October 8th now for a train leaving at least 4 hours after your scheduled ETA.

Posted by
151 posts

No worries, we're definitely not seniors! Thank you!

OK, we might just buy those tickets the day of. I'm thinking about taking a taxi to Paris from the airport to the appropriate train station to avoid hauling our carry ons up and down stairs while we're jet lagged. It's not a whole lot more expensive anyway.

Posted by
4211 posts

I like your plan to take a taxi. That is what I do as well when I am going to visit my friend once per year directly from CDG. He takes the Roissy bus which is also an option but he travels from CDG to Normandie several times per year and over the course of a year the difference in price really adds up.

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