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Vaccinated seniors asking for advice about train travel within France this summer

We were supposed to have celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in France last summer so now with travel restrictions being lifted, we are set to give it another go with two weeks in Paris in mid-July. It's going to be hotter than heck then but we were given the chance to stay at a studio apartment in the Marais (with A/C thank goodness) so we are giddy with excitement. We were able to secure flights from Newark to CDG using our United airmiles and are happy to have that hurdle done with. We're currently in the middle of watching for flights from SFO to Newark (crazy expensive) and figuring out the whole 72 hour PCR test requirement.

We would very much like to take the train from Paris to Pau/southwest France to visit an old friend for a day or two who is quite ill. The train ride on the TGV is about 4 1/2 hours each way but it just dawned on us that with COVID and the variants, maybe being in a train compartment for those many hours would not be a safe thing to do even if we're fully vaccinated/Moderna? We did the same trip two years ago and we're trying to remember if the windows opened on the TGVs in which case we would feel more inclined to make the trip with the circulating air for better ventilation. Any advice from experienced train travelers? Does anyone know if the French railway has made changes and accommodations to address safer long distance train travel? Thank you in advance once again.

Posted by
11037 posts

I seriously doubt a train the travels at 100+ mph has windows that open.

No personal knowledge, but I suspect the a/c system on high speed trains is not unlike that on airplanes.

I would plan your SFO-EWR flight to be at least the day before the EWR-CDG flight

Why did you not book SFO-CDG? A cursory look seemed the miles needed was very close if not the same for either.

Posted by
2537 posts

Oddly you are concerned only about a 4½ hour train ride but have no concerns about a 4 hour flight, followed by a 6 hour international flight. At least on the international flight passengers will have been covid tested.

Personally, I would be more concerned about the SFO to EWR flight than a train ride from Paris to Pau. To my knowledge, the SNCF has no specific plans for added air circulation than they have always had which might be better than what is provided in the cabin of your aircraft from SFO to EWR.

If you are fully vaccinated, I shouldn´t be overly concerned.

Posted by
6175 posts

No, the windows do not open on the TGVs. Which has nothing to do with speed, but with the fact that they are climate controlled. And the ventilation on trains is in general much better than on planes, trains are not pressurized and do not recycle their air. So it is always fresh air from the outside.

You can read more about SNCF's Covid handling here: https://en.oui.sncf/en/help-en/coronavirus

Posted by
32523 posts

speed is certainly a factor in the non-opening windows, from a design point of view. At 300 kph and passing another 300 kph train in a tunnel (lots of tunnels on TGV lines) the turbulence would rip open windows off.

So, the air is conditioned and the windows do not open.

The trains have excellent aerodynamic factors. A smooth exterior is one.

Posted by
6113 posts

Vaccinations give good, but not full protection and the tests are also good but not infallible. Although some of France is opening up, Paris remains under restrictions, but hopefully this will change. I don’t know if trains are running between Paris and other locations at present due to this situation.

If you are hoping to visit an ill friend, to make doubly sure, I would take a quick lateral flow test just before you went anywhere near him/her and I wouldn’t stay with them.

Posted by
8377 posts

They are requiring you to be masked the whole journey, right? And they're not compartments (with a few seats) but a whole cabin like an aircraft. So risks would appear to be about the same.

Posted by
9404 posts

Have you looked at Southwest Airline prices?

Posted by
2537 posts

Have you looked at Southwest Airline prices?

Does Southwest now fly to Pau?

Posted by
11037 posts

Have you looked at Southwest Airline prices?

Does Southwest now fly to Pau?

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Probably meant to be for the SF-NYC leg of the trip.

SWA goes only to LGA and OP flies out from EWR. May not be convenient to make the transfer

Posted by
1792 posts

Getting back to the train question. I found this note from SNCF.

https://www.sncf.com/en/passenger-offer/travel-by-train/covid-19-and-air-conditioning

While the onboard air is a mixture of filtered/recirculated and fresh air it does seem to be replaced very 9 minutes.

I would suggest taking steps to avoid close proximity to others during the ride. If you can afford it spring for the first class. Take the train when it’s least crowded. Perhaps early morning or late?

Have a fun and safe trip.

Posted by
269 posts

Thank you for the many helpful suggestions. Apologies, too for what must certainly be the dumbest question posted on this forum. After having spent a year opening windows to dissipate the aerosols and teaching classes via ZOOM for far too many hours, my overtaxed brain came to a halt with basic train travel aerodynamics. : P

I was glad to read the SNCF's info about what adjustments have been made around COVID. The graphics were great and easy to follow. I'll definitely book first class tickets, which doesn't cost much more than 2nd class and take the first train out of Gare Montparnasse at 6:40am. It didn't occur to me to have another COVID test before our visit to Pau but I'm sure my friend and her family will appreciate it.

I checked Southwest and they have great fares but no direct flights from SFO which we prefer. We always stop in NYC before heading to Europe and back because we have friends and family there who we like to spend time with.

I was happy to hear the other day that this summer France will be offering free PCR tests to travelers returning home. It sounds like France is doing everything they can to entice and welcome us back! Thanks again everyone. Happy and safe travels!

Posted by
9404 posts

Adrienne, absolutely not a dumb question. We don’t know what we don’t know and that’s what this forum is for.

Anyone, even tourists, can get a free Covid test at a pharmacy in France, and it’s quick (about 15 min).

Posted by
10120 posts

You need only an antigen test to fly back to the US, not a PCR. However, in France PCR is sometimes used as a generic, the way we say Kleenex for facial tissue.

Posted by
269 posts

Susan thank you for the reminder about what this forum is all about. And for the info about how easily accessible the COVID test will be for travelers. There seems to be a pharmacy at every other corner in Paris so it won't be too difficult to find one before the flight home. I consider us lucky because a friend who's heading to Sicily in three weeks to stay with family mentioned that residents there still have to pay for their own tests, even to see a doctor. Bets thanks for the clarification about usage of the term for PCR in France. It will save me from further confusion when I try to make a request for a COVID test in my limited high school French. I feel better already. Thank you both.

Posted by
9404 posts

You’re welcome, I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Posted by
729 posts

I don't have any additional advice, but just wanted to congratulate you on your 50th (now 51st) anniversary and tell you to have a wonderfully memorable trip!!

Posted by
9462 posts

Adrienne, I would just note that a PCR test is not required for your return to the U.S. — the U.S. accepts antigen tests for entry.

(And yes the trains in France are running just fine.)

Posted by
269 posts

Susan and Dawn, thank you for the Bon voyage send off. We plan to make the most of everything and enjoy ourselves to the hilt. Want to go back to Sacre Coeur to hear the nuns singing, return to Sainte Chapelle (last time it was in 1975 and we were able to just stroll in, no crowds!) and we're even game to hop on that sparkly ferris wheel at night. Kim, thank you for taking the time to reassure us about the COVID testing requirements and the trains. This forum is the best.

Posted by
6175 posts

Apologies, too for what must certainly be the dumbest question posted
on this forum.

There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers! I wish more people would ask "stupid" questions when they are unsure about something.

Posted by
269 posts

Thank you, Badger. Your post is just the kind of support needed to let myself off the hook which gives me the space to laugh at myself a little, even at 100 mph. Thanks, too for reminding us that we're here on this forum to share answers.