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train Bayeax to Paris

I am planning a trip with my daughter and 2 granddaughters to Paris and Bayeax. We are taking the train from Paris to Bayeax on a Saturday and returning on a Monday. I have a very tight schedule on Monday. My question is this; Looking at the train schedules, what is the TER and Intercities and how long should I consider for a connection. The Trainline trains do not leave late enough, last train on the schedule is 1536. The Rail Europe schedule lists a train at 1716 (which is a great time for me) with a 9 min connection in Caen between the TER and the Intercities. the 1835 train lists a 35 min connection. Is it possible (or even probable) to be able to make a 9 minute connection in Caen from a TER train to a Intercities train.? Thanks

Posted by
21166 posts

I would never depend on Rail Europe for train information. I would use the guys that operate the trains, SNCF.
You probably missed unchecking a box for "Direct trains only".
I am looking at Monday, June 12, and I am seeing a TER train departing Bayeux at 17:16 arriving Caen at 17:32 connecting to an IC train departing at 17:54 arriving Paris St Lazare at 19:46. The 18:35 train is a direct IC train arriving Paris St Lazare at 20:46.

What date are you looking at?

Posted by
11294 posts

Here's the direct link for the SNCF in English: http://www.sncf.com/en/tickets-timetables-reservations

When I put in the random Monday date of May 15, 2017, here's what I got:
https://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/results?clientId=25452962-8e1d-4b8f-9bf2-f01f297c9256&language=en&country=EN#!/

This matches what Sam found. The 1716 train shows a 22 minute connection, and the 1835 train is direct with no changes.

Unless you have a mobility impairment, a 9 minute connection is usually not a problem. Remember, if lots of people miss their connections, it just causes grief for the rail companies - so they are usually good at not making them too tight. They do assume you will get off the train right when it pulls into the station (be ready to do this), and that you will make your way immediately to your next train. With 22 minutes, however, you won't have to rush.

If you have trouble buying this ticket on SNCF, then and only then should you look at other sites like Trainline or Rail Europe..

Posted by
17 posts

Thank you both Sam and Harold for the advice. I will definately look at the SNCF website to book.
the date Im looking at will be August 14th Monday. but I had used other Monday June and july dates for comparison.
I will have 3 adults, a 11 and a 12 year old with luggage so a direct train might make more sense.

Thank you.

Posted by
17 posts

finally getting around to booking the train reservations and I don't see the above noted trains in the replies to my post. . Saturday Aug12 I see only a 4 hr time, no high speed train on Saturdays? Return from Bayeux to Paris on Monday August 14th ,I see only the 1835 time no 1716...Have the seats sold out already? Or am I looking at the wrong schedule?

Posted by
7209 posts

Looks like the train availability hasn't been fully loaded into the SNCF system yet for that day. It's still fairly early to book that far ahead. Just relax and keep checking every few days.

Posted by
21166 posts

Curious, as the both the previous Saturday (Aug 5) and the following (Aug 19) is showing a full schedule. There is a possibility that they may be doing track work that Saturday. The only trains to Bayeux from Paris on August 12 show connections through Le Mans, which is way south of Caen, and the trains are departing from Gare Montparnasse instead of Gare St Lazare.

SNCF is not showing any track work announcements beyond June 30, but that is what it looks like to me.

The Monday train out of Bayeux has simply been moved from 17:16 to 17:27, the connecting train to Paris is unchanged, leaving a 9 minute connection in Caen.

Posted by
17 posts

still trying to book this train reservation. When I go to sncf and book the reservation for Aug 12th there is a 4 hour (2 stop ) train at 11 am from Paris, arriving Bayeus at 1533. and a return train Aug 14, leaving Bayeux at 1835 returning to Paris. I complete the reservation process for 7 passengers and when the basket pops up to complete the purchase the outbound train on Aug 12 says there is a proble with my seat assignment, states "withouts reservation". On the contrary, the return bound train states "reservation" and "seats"
Please help! Why is there no reservation for the outbound train even when it is in my "basket" for purchase? Should I complete the purchase even tho the "basket" states no reservation?
When I try sncf thru a different pathway, still their website for on-line bookings, it will only let me add up to 4 passengers and I have 7 people. I feel uncomfortable bookings for partial party, what if I cant complete the purchase for all of us. How do I get train tickets for Saturday Aug 12 for 7 people? I cant seem to make this purchase work! Thanks