We're traveling with Viking River cruises, and we decided to not accept the flights they offered as it would take almost 22 hours to return to Los Angeles. When I cancelled the flights with Viking, I was advised that they wanted $120 per person to transfer us to Marseilles airport from the ship ($240 for both of us).
I've been viewing various websites and found that there has to be an easier and less expensive form of transportation to Marseilles airport. I have not yet booked my flights, but will likely travel with Air France and KLM. I am open to taking a train from Avignon to Charles De Gaulle airport, but nervous as I don't speak the language and have not used public transport in France. I would welcome any of your personal experiences that would help. Thank you for your assistance. PS I'm currently reading Rick's 2014 book on France, so it may help in this instance.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
If you decide to go from Marseille Airport, the easiest route from Avignon is to take the train from Avignon Centre to Vitrolles railway station, from where there is a shuttle bus to the airport. The rail timetable is at http://telechargement.ter-sncf.com/Images/Paca/Tridion/FH_10_Marseille_Avignon_Orange_Valence_Lyon_dec2013_tcm-27-95521.pdf and buses connect with the trains. This is a TER local service, so there won't be a discount for booking tickets in advance.
If you fly out from CDG, there are a few direct trains per day from Avignon TGV station direct to the airport. If they aren't conveniently timed for your flight, take a train to Paris Gare de Lyon. Trains from Avignon Centre station in the city centre connect with TGVs at Avignon TGV. From Gare de Lyon, you can then get the RER Line D to Gare du Nord, and change there to Line B for the airport. Alternatively there is a direct bus service from Gare de Lyon to the airport run by Air France (available for anyone, not just for Air France passengers), which is simpler but more liable to traffic hold-ups.
Booking for trains to CDG or Paris can be done at www.capitainetrain.com. You will get MUCH cheaper fares if you book 92 days in advance, although these cheap fares are only available for the specific train you choose when you book, and if you miss it you have to get a new ticket at full price.
Posted by
104 posts
Hello Traveler,
The Viking River Cruises drop off passengers at the Quai de l’Oulle which is a 15 minute walk to Gare D'Avignon Centre and a 5 minute taxi ride to la Gare TGV Avignon. There are also shuttles that meet the cruises to either train station. Avignon main station has trains that go direct to Vitrolles Aeroport Marseille. Should you find it more economical to fly out of Marseille. Should you want to head for Paris CDG from this station, there are regional trains that will connect to TGV's in other towns such as Nimes destined for Paris; where you would have to transfer on the RER blue line out to Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
So I recommend pre-booking the direct Avignon TGV to Paris CDG TGV for the fastest least hassle option back to CDG. You can route your trains on Deutsch Bahn and purchase tickets on Rail Europe. Go to the travel tips tab on the left on our website, then choose transportation then choose rail or directly www.ricksteves.com/rail. I hope this helps you plan a great trip in France. Don't be scared to speak any and all French you can or are willing to try. The French are insulted if you speak English first, feel respected if you just try to speak some French and love you if really put in effort to learn the language, FYI. Bonne Chance!
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
You can use www.viamichelin.com to find Porte de l'Oulle, which the moderator above says is where the Viking Cruises dock. The Port d'Avignon is somewhat further upstream. If you are carrying the typical cruise passenger's luggage you will find it arduous to walk to the Avignon Centre train station and impossible to the TGV station on the fringe of the city. Taxis almost surely will be at the quai.
The TGV fast train to CdG Airport is a fine service. To fly trans-Atlantic out of Marseille Provence airport will probably require a change in CdG anyhow. So it will be nearly as fast to go by rail to CdG as by rail to Marseille and then fly to CdG. But if you want that option, the local train from Avignon Centre arrives at a small station on the edge of the airport where there is a short bus ride; the TGV to Aix en Provence also has a shuttle to Marseille airport estimated at about a half hour by the rail company SNCF.
The vast majority of the advice posted in this forum suggests that RailEurope tickets cost more, are less convenient than print-at-home tickets from the SNCF (or CapitaineTrain) sites, and offer fewer choices of trains. In North America you can avoid SNCF's automatic bumping to RailEurope by choosing a country off the continent for ticket pick-up; I use Antarctica.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
This is marked again for staff comment, so I guess that means me. Yes, Sara does bring her opinions with her, as do many contributors. No, it's not particularly the party line to push Rail Europe; we actually recommend going straight to European sources when convenient, thus, from Rick’s France rail travel page you'll find a link and tips for buying the cheapest “Prems” rate TGV tickets through SNCF (which Rail Europe does not currently sell). If these rates are sold out, Rail Europe is one of the easiest purchase sites for other fares.