Hi,
We are a family of four needing to get from Paris to Caen likely on July 14th. Was assuming it would be fairly straightforward and not too expensive for such a short distance but my research it’s not suggesting that. Any suggestions on how best to most economically and quickly get from these two destinations? Is it really a 3 hour train costing upwards of $300 for 4?
Thanks for any tips.
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
It's over 140 miles, so not all that short a trip. I think you may be too early for all the tickets to be posted online. There are a lot more trains listed for June 9 (also a Thursday) than for July 14. Quite a few of those trains take just about 2 hours. Buses would definitely be slower in covering that much mileage.
However, your planned travel day is Fete Nationale (Bastille Day), a major holiday. I don't know whether train frequency is reduced that day and/or a lot of local folks want to travel then. You may encounter higher-than-normal fares on that day when tickets become fully available. For June 9 I see fares from 15 to 22 euros for adults.
Here's the SNCF website: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/
Posted by
Chicago
8554 posts
It was a few years ago but I paid 15 Euro each for my husband and I to go from Paris to Caen where we picked up a rental car to tour Normandy.
Posted by
Freedonia
16283 posts
It is too early to buy tickets for that date. Usually, train tickets go on sale about 90 days prior to the day of travel..
I looked onllne and for July 14 it only showed two trains and each had a connection. The cheapest price was abou 50 euro each. (These trains departed from Paris Montparnasse. The trains from Paris to Caen depart from Paris St. Lazare. I don't think they have been loaded into the system.)
However, a month earlier, there are numerous trains to Caen, no change, for 15 Euro.
I would wait until 90 days prior. Or at least until the beginning of April.