Please sign in to post.
Holiday Sale! Save 20% Storewide!

Orly to Bayeux and Car Rental in Caen

Posted by (New Jersey) on

I arrive @ Orly in Sept. 12:20 pm (Friday) then plan on heading to hotel in Bayeux directly. I know there are some options & transfers between Orly and St. Lazare. What is the best way to get to St. Lazare and how much time should I allow to get thru Customs and to St. Lazare. Should I buy now or wait on the train ticket to Bayeux? If I pick a train time and I end up missing it, can I take the next train on that same ticket? I am mobile solo traveler with one carry on.

General 3/4 plan was Sat. do a D day tour with a company, rent a car on Sunday and Monday to explore the area and return the car on Tuesday morning. I know Caen is the preferable location to rent from. Are auto places open on Sunday? Am I missing anything?

ty

Posted by
7304 posts

What is the best way to get to St. Lazare from Orly

Taxi, 37€ fixed rate. You arrive well out of rush hour so a cab will be fast, and public transport between Orly and St Lazare isn't great - 2 transfers needed.

and how much time should I allow to get thru Customs and to St. Lazare.

From CDG, usual guidance is to plan for 4 hours from landing to St Lazare train departure. Orly is a bit closer, and you do not have checked luggage, so something like 3 hours or a hair more is probably enough.

Should I buy now or wait on the train ticket to Bayeux?

You can find advance tickets for as low as 10€ sometimes, so if you find such a good deal, go for it! Otherwise, a same-day full fare is about 40€

If I pick a train time and I end up missing it, can I take the next train on that same ticket?

No. Trains from Paris to Normandy now require train-specific reservations (an unfortunate development...)

Posted by
8560 posts

I'd buy a cheap ticket now and just toss it if you miscalculate. Orly is close in and absolutely taxi -- Note that Caen has lots of rentals at the train station BUT they keep short hours. I would not count on them being open on Sunday -- check that ahead with a phone call and of course website. They close for a nice long lunch so find out those hours and perhaps plan to have a quick lunch in Caen then as well.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.