Hi. This tour ends in AIX Provence. Airfare is a bit crazy right now. It recommends flying back out of Marseile. But I read there's a "fast 2 hour train" out of AIX to CDG. Airfare usually is cheaper if you do a RT rather than multi city. Has anyone done this trip where you take train back to Paris and fly RT in and out from there? And is it true there's a train out of AIX back to Paris? Am taking this trip in Oct. Thanks Cindy Olson
Posted by
301 posts
I see a 3-hour TGV train from Aix to Paris. Then you would need to get to the airport after that. You could stay at an airport hotel and fly home the next day.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6742 posts
Also, keep in mind that the cost of that train plus a Paris or CDG hotel would be added to the airfare. I haven't found multi-city to be significantly more expensive than RT, but the way to know for sure is to run some scenarios on kayak.com or Google Flights.
That said, it would be risky to book a flight out of Paris for the same day the tour ends in Aix, no matter how you get there. Too many ways something could go wrong. So you'll probably have that hotel cost either way.
Posted by
Seattle
85 posts
We took this tour in 2024. We took shuttle bus from Aix town to Aix TGV station. Train was direct to CDG, about 3 hr 45 min ride. The sooner you buy the tickets the cheaper the fare.
We did the round trip to Paris - upon arrival at CDG caught the TGV to Epernay - cnx to train to Rouen
Absolutely loved this tour!
Posted by
Bend, OR
1935 posts
We took a a short taxi ride from Aix to Marseille to catch our flight home. Most people will advise you to not try and make a same day flight when you’re 3 1/2 hours away by high speed train. Yes, round trip flights can be cheaper but you still have to get back there. Use google flights to see flight times and prices to compare and see the difference.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3066 posts
Don't confuse two one way fares with an open jaw fare. Open jaw allows for arrival in one place and departure from another, but booked as a "round" trip. It may be a bit more than in and out of CDG, but you won't have the cost of the train fare back to Paris. You may do best booking a flight from Marseille to home (although there will likely be a plane change at CDG). Aix is VERY close to Marseille's airport and a bus takes just over a half hour. Probably 6-8 euros. With a ticket booked from Marseille you also won't need to stay overnight at a hotel at CDG. It is worth looking into.
We have done this changing planes in both Amsterdam (Schiphol) and at CDG. Just check that you have enough time for the transfer.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3066 posts
To clarify...Home city to Paris/Marseille to home (with a plane change in Paris or Amsterdam). Not two one-ways. Book as an open jaw trip.
Posted by
1 posts
Taking this tour in early May. We are doing RT out of CDG and a one way late in the afternoon from Marseille to CDG on Air France with a hotel airport stay overnight. We were able to use points for the Air France portion. We had wanted to take the train but for some reason on the day we needed, the trains were very limited- I had watched the schedule for several months. We are doing this because wanted to spend a little more time in AIX and not leave predawn. I have found that the Trainline app is helpful for schedules. Good luck!
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
899 posts
Not on an RS tour, but I flew into Nice and out of Marseille last fall. It was not more expensive than round trip. Marseille is an interesting city to spend a day if you have any interest, and the airport is small, easy to get to and get around. If the open-jaw (also called multi-city) fair is not much more than round trip plus fast train, I recommend considering it.