Train from Arles to Lyon

The slow, less expensive route is with TER trains, which are unreserved and always the same price, 44.80 EUR. There is a direct train at 7:53 am and arrives Lyon Part Dieu at 10:40 am. Or one that requires 2 connections, at Avignon Centre and Vienne. Depart Arles at 11:48 am and arrive Lyon Part Dieu at 3:40 pm.

https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/tgv

Just to clarify that on TER trains where it's not possible to reserve seats (you sit wherever you want) it is however advisable to book train tickets.

https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/

Thank you both. It is clear now. I was looking at the SNCF site and always seeing different prices. I guess that was because those were the fast trains and they do have many different

con't. prices. Do these slower trains fill up a week ahead or sometimes more?

Since there are no reserved seats, they cannot sell out. When you bought your ticket has nothing to do with whether or not you get a seat, only when you board the train. The TER's heading toward Lyon all originate in Marseille, and make a few stops before arriving at Arles. There are also direct TER's at 1:53 pm and 5:53 pm.

The local TER trains fill up when everybody gets on them, not when they bought their tickets. No guaranteed seat. You might be standing. You have a better chance of getting a seat when you board at an originating city, such as Marseille.
But even then it depends on the time and day of the week. We once changed in Marseille on a Friday afternoon from a train that was running late, and just made a TER connection to Nice and had to stand for a while. We've been in several TER trains where seats were scarce.
We're old. For longer trips I always get tickets on trains with reserved seats now.

I guess we could sit on out luggage, maybe for a half hour. For a 2-3 hour trip, I hope to God we get seats! How far before departure do the trains arrive at the station? I'm guessing 10 minutes if it's a continuing train from another starting spot.

Probably less than ten minutes, more like three. The Arles station is small and easy to navigate, and as I recall the northbound tracks are on the same side as the station building, so no need to take the tunnel under the tracks to the other side.

If you're on the platform ready to board when the train arrives, you should have a good chance of getting seats. If not, seats will become available as people get off. There were plenty of seats when I took a morning train from Arles last fall, but that's just one data point.

Hi Dick, 3 minutes. That is good to know. So it doesn't help to get there 30 minutes early?

Also, Someone else said it's a good idea to book tickets ahead. Why would that be important if they never sell out on the TER trains?

Get there early so you have time to scope out the platform and board as soon as the people leaving the train have gotten off. Getting your tickets ahead will save time at the station. With the TER trains you're not committed to a specific train (maybe you are to a specific date, I don't recall) so if you miss it you can take a later one -- but perhaps much later, disrupting your plans for the day.

This website will tell you when trains go where, and sell you tickets. If it's hard to use, there's another called The Trainline that's supposed to be easier, but with a service charge (I haven't used it). Note that Lyon has two stations, Part-Dieu and Perrache. Both are centrally located but one may be more convenient to your hotel. Also note that some trains go to Lyon's airport (St-Exupery), which links to the city by an efficient rail shuttle but will add time, cost, and inconvenience.

Also, Someone else said it's a good idea to book tickets ahead.

Who is someone? Obviously they were referring to routes that involve TGV's, which have mandatory seat reservations. Your original post said you were willing to take slower trains to save money, which would be TER trains. You can get deals on TGV's by booking nonrefundable tickets in advance, like airline tickets.

mlw, while I certainly understand the need to watch the trip budget, I wonder if this isn't a case where it would be money well spent to take the TGV trains and be assured of a seat. What is the price difference between the TER and TGV trains? Have you looked at the discounts that might be provided by the Carte Avantage passes?

I recall that in an earlier thread you mentioned traveling with someone who'll be on their first-ever Europe trip. Why not reduce the stress for them and you by booking a guaranteed seat on the TGV, and economizing some other way? I'm all for using money to reduce stress/uncertainty, and deciding that I won't eat fancy lunches for a couple of days and make do with a sandwich instead. :)

To respond to the above: a carte advantage wouldn't pay off for such short trip.
Second, the best itineraries on this route require the combination of a TER and TGV or a direct TER with no train change.

You can take a 16 minute TER to Nîmes Pont du Gard TGV, or a 45 minute TER to Marseille for a TGV.
My choice would be Nîmes TGV Pont du Gard. Note that this is not Nîmes centre ville(city center).

Thank you. The 16 minute ride to Nimes Pont du Gard sounds good, then possibly a TVG to Lyons, if it's not terribly expensive. Yes, we are old, too. The security sounds good.