TGV advance tickets

Not a thing. I would never purchase a ticket for a TGV the day of arrival. I think people do say to buy tickets to TGV in advance for the cost savings. But, not when there is a reasonable probability that you won't be able to get to the train on time. My suggestion is to stay overnight in Paris and purchase a ticket in advance for the following day. There is still some risk but much less.

One example. When we went to Spain, we flew into Madrid and the plan was to immediately head to Sevilla on a high speed train. It would have been much cheaper to purchase tickets in advance but I decided it was way too risky. As it turned out, our plane was early, there were no lines at customs. I ended up purchasing the train tickets to Sevilla that were about 4 hours earlier than any ticket I would have consider prepurchasing. That's half a day! We got to Sevilla at noon and had a whole afternoon to explore that we hadn't planned on.

I have bought the non-cancellable TGV tickets for trains leaving from central Paris after overnighting in the city. This year, there have been too many delayed flights, cancelled flights, and lost luggage
in major airports such as CDG that it would be difficult to know what time is reasonable to catch a train at CDG. And if you allow an extra 60-90 minutes as a buffer then, there you are after a lengthy flight spending an extra 90 minutes in an airport. The other imminent concern is the possibility of airline strikes. British Airways and Lufthansa pilots have voted to authorize strikes at any time and we may see that impacting airports in the weeks ahead.

I was about to ask a similar question. We are on the RS Eastern France trip, flying in on day 1, not in advance. We bought 1st class TGV tickets to Riehms, from Gare de L’est to Reims. Plane is supposed to land 8:10, train takes off 11:38. We are going to taxi to train station. I have been tracking our flight every Saturday and they have been on time until last Saturday, where it was 4 hours late. We would miss the train. I was wondering how to change the tickets if we find out our flight would be late. I chose first class as I thought they would be more flexible. Cathy

All first-class and regular second-class SNCF train tickets are exchangeable for a train at a later time. The “Prems” discounted tickets are not refundable or exchangeable for a different train. The only condition is that you must inform SNCF before the ticketed departure time, which is 11:38am in your case,
that you want to change trains. If the ticket for the new train is more than what was paid for the original ticket. there will be an adjustment. You should have time after landing at CDG to contact SNCF at www.sncf-connect.com
You also could switch to a TGV train departing directly for Reims from CDG before leaving home. There is an 11:23am train and an 11:59am train ( and others). That would save you the expense and time of going into central Paris on the day you arrive, www.TheTrainline is a user-friendly website that has train schedules.

I always allow a minimum 4 hour cushion between my arrival from JFK and all high-speed trains. Indeed it is a calculated risk but the risk/reward is worth it to me.

Yes, take the train from CDG to Reims. Don’t bother going into Paris and don’t worry in advance too much about possible problems.

We often take the train from CDG. Two hours is enough unless you are arriving at a high capacity time, like right, now when not only are visitors, students, and businesspeople arriving, but also French residents are returning from their vacations. Allow three to get downstairs to the station during vacation time.

Tickets are refundable depending on the conditions, but they will incur a service charge.

Oh Gosh, there is a train directly from CDG? The Rick Steve's folks sent us 2 options for getting from CDG to Reims, and both of them said to get to the Gare de L'est train station in Paris. That is so strange.

I will see about changing the tickets. Thanks for the info. Cathy

Dear Kenko and Bets, are you comfortable (and patient enough) to give me a bit more help?

I looked on line at sncf in efforts to be preemptive and purchase the tickets to Reims directly from CDG, preferably the TGV, specifically the 11:59 train.
The tickets I have already purchased SNCF, but I got the reply email from [email protected]. I do not know if I can exchange the old tickets for the new tickets, or I just need to cancel the old ones and purchase new ones.

But I cannot figure out which new train tickets (TGV preferred) to purchase that go from CDG to Reims without leaving CDG.

Cathy

The trains from CDG to Reims do not go to Reims Centre (or Reims Ville, I always forget the station's exact name), but to Champagne-Ardenne TGV. It is not a problem: that station is a quick cab ride or a 20-30 minute tram ride from town.

Use Champagne Ardenne TGV in the booking system (for example SNCF Connect, or Trainline), and see what happens.

If I remember correctly, there are 2 trains before noon, then nothing until the late afternoon / early evening. So, if you arrive at some time between 10 and 2, going to Gare de l'Est in Paris is probably your best bet. You will see what the booking engine comes up with!

The trains that go to Champagne -Ardennes connect to a TER, a local train.
I used the SNCF Connect app on my phone. You have to look at the train, RER and metro symbols to see how many trains are involved.
Five a day go directly to Champagne Ardennes with a TER connection. AM 8:59, 11:23, PM 5:28, 6:26, 8:02.
One, 11:59, goes via the Disney stop/ Marne la vallée so you change twice, but it's still faster than going into Paris, even by taxi.
The others on the app are not worth your time. Just go to Gare de l'est.

Check seat61.com for all things train related. It is an awesome site.
Also, check Reddit.com for its InterRail or other train related groups. I know the InterRail group maintains a informative faq/wiki