We arrive at 8:15 am and carry on our luggage. I think we have time to catch a train that leaves at 11:18am and arrives at 2:52 in Bordeaux- a 3 hour and 34 minute trip. Air France has a direct flight at 12:40pm and arrives at 1:55pm - 1 hour and 15 minute trip. The price difference is not that great. My greatest concern is boarding my river boat by 5:00pm. Are the trains more or less reliable than airplane?
Posted by
Chicago
7864 posts
in kinds of weather the train is more reliable; however I would have planned to fly in a day earlier
and booked my flight to go all the way to Bordeaux on one ticket
Posted by
613 posts
Is train station or airport closer to the boat dock?
Train lets you see the country side.
Posted by
Paris
6905 posts
Train station is much closer to the river (not sure where the boat Dock is), and trains are frequent so that's the way I'd go.
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thanks to all for the advice. Agree that arrival one day earlier would be more convenient, but work commitments... We will take the train, see the countryside and get a little nap.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Napping will be terrible for managing jetlag.
Posted by
Paris
9592 posts
Don’t forget to wake up when you get to Bordeaux, or you’ll find yourself in Dax or Pau or Biarritz or somewhere !!
Agree that arrival one day earlier would be more convenient,
It’s not that it would be”more convenient”— it’s that it would be less risky to have an additional day which would allow a little wiggle room/recovery time in case of late flights, missed connections, train difficulties, etc.
good luck!!
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6522 posts
I see the appeal of the train, and I think 3+ hours is enough of a time cushion, especially without checked bags. But really, in this case, the flight gives you a cushion an hour longer, and gets you to Bordeaux an hour sooner. Yes, it's the Bordeaux airport, but how long can it take to get to the dock? I'd go for the flight.
Of course the OP would have an easier time arriving a day earlier, but non-retirees (I was one once) may not have enough time off to do that. As for napping, it's usually not advised on the arrival day, but that assumes an early dinner and bedtime. The OP boards the boat before 5:00, then presumably attends the "welcome reception" or whatever. I'd want a nap before that if I could get one. And, to be honest, the train might provide a better nap than that otherwise-more-efficient flight.
Posted by
Paris
9592 posts
I agree with Dick. In this instance, the hour that the flight affords (if it is on time) is more important than any fun to be had by taking the train — given how crucial it is to make the boat's embarkation time.
Posted by
Paris
6905 posts
On second thought, right, the plane is a good bet in that case, with the train as a plan B just in case!
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2026 posts
Did you purchase your air through the cruise company, or additional insurance? Do they offer guarantees to get you to the next port?
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Good thoughts everyone. I’m still mulling it over. I have insurance and spoke to the cruise agent about worst case scenario. They were reassuring about meet them in the next spot. The boat doesn’t leave the dock until dinner is underway. I’m leaning on taking the train just because flights these days (at least US domestic) seem to be cancelled or delayed. It’s a travel day and the most important thing is getting on the boat. Planes, trains and automobiles.