We will be flying from the US to Paris and will need to take a train to Bayeux Normandy. I have tried to figure out what train station to book our tickets with but have been unsuccessful at determining exactly which train line I should use. Also, are there any suggestions for hotels close to the train station in Paris?
We will be returning to Paris from Bayeux later at night so wanted a hotel that would be convenient to the train station. We will fly out the next morning going to Edinburgh.
Trains from Paris to Normandy leave from Gare St. Lazare but you will not need to enter the name of the station to purchase tickets — just use Paris and the result will be Gare St Lazare as the station for Paris. Without knowing your budget and what you are looking for other than location (assuming you mean near Gare St Lazare), here are some hotels near the station that I like: Hotel le Grey, Hotel R de Paris, Hotel Saint Petersbourg, and Hotel Phileas. There is also a Hilton property across from the station. When you write “which train line I should use” do you mean from CDG to Paris, from Paris to Normandy, or something else?
Just use the national railway operator's website: www.snfc-connect.com
And just enter Paris as origin and Bayeux as destination. The system will automatically select the right station for you.
The trains on that route are frequent intercity trains. They do require an advance reservation but in practice you should be able to get a ticket + reservation for the train you want even at the last moment at the station. I was on one of those trains recently, and had bought my reservation on the same day. That train was not full at all.
You may find some general research to be helpful, like "CDG to downtown" (Search box top center). Our host's books are in many public libraries, if you don't care to buy a copy of "Rick Steves France." Also his free Travel Tips, https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips
It's less true in Paris, but in many major European cities, the train station area is considered a less-desirable location. I don't know if your concern is baggage-handling, mobility limits, or fear of city streets, because you didn't say. But staying near a train station is usually unecessary. Especially since Paris has so many train stations! Usually people care about price, breakfast, bathroom size and age, or something else. If you are spending time in Paris, you are going to be using the Metro.
We will fly into CDG. Will need the train from there to Bayeux. The train stations is short walk to our hotel in Bayeux. 2 days later will need a train back to CDG area so can fly the next morning to Edinburgh. It will be late afternoon when we leave Bayeux. Would it be better to stay close to the train station or the airport. I want a safe place but does not have to be 5 star since we are only going to be there to sleep.
There is no train from CDG to Bayeux. You will have to make your way to Gare St Lazare to catch the train to Normandy. When you return from Normandy, you will be again at Gare St Lazare. For me whether or not a hotel at the airport or in Paris for that night depends on the departure time of the flight to Edinburg, if you want to do anything in Paris, and if you plan to take a train or a taxi to the airport.
