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Paris to Provence train questions

Posted by (Seattle, WA) on

Arriving at CDG at 8:15 a.m. from USA on a Sunday in May. Am planning to take a TGV train to either Avignon or Arles. There's one at 9:58 but I'm gathering that's insufficient time to get through customs and get to the train? How much time would you recommend?

Also, if i reserved a later train (one at 12 noon), and we did get there in time for the 9:58, is it possible to change the ticket for that earlier train? was planning to buy a "flexible" ticket, though not the highest priced ones.

Lastly, if we plan to head back to Paris later in the week, leaving out of Avignon, is it worth it to rent the car in Avignon and drive to Arles so that we can return the car in Avignon? or just take the train all the way through to Arles, get the car there, and then drop it off at Avignon later?

thanks for any input!

Posted by
7865 posts

I would recommend something 3 to 4 hours later.
Yes you should be able to change along as there is space available make sure to read all the rules of course.
You should rent a car to explore all the other hill towns inaccessible by train such as Rousillion Gordes Les Baux and not just to go to Arles which is short train ride away,

Posted by
5697 posts

Our experience was that the TGV station at Avignon had a large selection of rental cars -- and automatics! Easy to drive away and return.

Posted by
171 posts

Melinda, you asked "Lastly, if we plan to head back to Paris later in the week (after renting the car in Arles), leaving out of Avignon, is it worth it to rent the car in Avignon and drive to Arles so that we can return the car in Avignon?"

Provence is a relatively small area so it does not really matter (from your convenience standpoint) where you rent your car even if you plan to drop it off in Avignon. I would just check to see which option offers you the lower cost. We rented our car in Avignon through AutoEurope or Europcar (car rental consolidators) and found that they offered the best price - but that was years ago.

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