Train from Paris to Caen

Posted by slr on 03/28/18 01:28 AM

Two questions for an early June trip:

Generally, taking a cab from CDG to Gare Saint-Lazare, how long would you allow from time flight arrives to time of arrival at train station?

Our arrival date is not one of the SCNF strike dates. I had been planning to buy a train ticket on arrival to avoid loss of value if flight is late. Now I am thinking it might be better to buy an "Exchangable conditions apply ticket" to have the certainty of a seat, given the pressures on capacity that may occur due to decreased service on other days. If our flight is late, we may wind up paying a little more to make a change to our ticket, but at least we'll be able to get from point A to point B. Thoughts?

Thanks.

Posted by PharmerPhil

Middletown, RI

03/28/18 03:31 AM

1229 posts

Your methods may vary, but here's an example of what I did last early June. I booked a flight for arrival at CDG at 7:40am (scheduled, don't remember my actual landing, but it was close). Took the RoissyBus to Opera Garnier, which is an 8–10 minute walk to Gare Saint Lazare. I pre-booked a train from Gare Saint Lazare to Caen departing at 12:10pm. As I recall, there was an earlier train that I thought was too close to risk. But if you are taking a taxi, it will bring you right to the station and maybe you can shave several minutes off of my time. So I got there a little early, sat at a cafe across the street from the train station and had a coffee and croissant and watched Paris walk by. It worked for me, might for you. If you book too tight a connection, you may stress if you miss it. Then again, if you book far enough in advance, the fare is so cheap you may as well risk it. I guess it depends on how much of a hurry you are in to get to Normandy.
My too sense...

Posted by Travel Boss

Myrtle Beach, USA

03/28/18 06:32 PM

12313 posts

There are no strike dates for Air France in June. I think the train ride is a little long so I booked a plane from Nice to Orly - a little under 50 euros on Air France. It took just over an hour, maybe another half hour to catch the Orlyval/RER into town.

Posted by janettravels44

Chicago

03/29/18 02:48 AM

8556 posts

She is worried about the train strike dates which do extend to June.

I would buy an early 15 Euro ticket for a train I thought I could make and then plan to throw it away and buy another if I missed the train. They are 15 Euro about 3 mos out or so.