I am traveling with my daughter to Europe in Late June and flying into London and out of Paris. We are contemplating our itinerary. Considering Bath for a couple of days even before London. 3-4 days in London and then Eurostar to Paris. Would a train ride to Avignon or thereabouts in the south of France be too much? Traveling from June 17 - July 1.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I took the TGV to Avignon. It was a long trip even for a fast train. You wouldn't want to do it for a weekend not a day would be my guess. You would need to book the train in advance I think for the TGV.
Pam
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
From the info you have provided, you will have 13 days for which to plan(the 17th and the 1st are both travel days so they don't count)..yes it is doable and not a bad idea. Land at LHR go immediately to Bath...2 days, then London 4 days, then a long travel day to Avignon (either by train or better yet by plane) for 3 days, then train back to Paris for the final 4 days. Understand that there is travel time in each one of the transitions, however the express train from Avignon to Paris is not that long a ride (3 1/2 hours- 4 hours), and it is not too difficult if you fly from London to Avignon (or nearby).
Posted by
U-District, WA
45 posts
I made a trip from Caen in Normandy (near where the Eurostar enters France) to Avignon in one day. It was a lot of time on the train. However, I am glad I went. I only spent one day in Avignon (not nearly enough time) and then went on to Nice for a day and then back to Paris. Way too much train time. If you can spend a few days in Avignon I would say it's worth the time on the train to do it. If it would only be one or two days though I would probably just stay in Paris.
To throw in a different idea, you could stop off in Normandy enrout to Paris and spend a couple days there. It's a beautiful area with a lot to see and do and some of the best crepes I've ever eaten.
Posted by
near NY, NJ, USA
445 posts
If you can travel to Avignon on a SAturday, there is now diect service to Avignon from London.Go to the Eurostar web site for info. The other possibility is a lowcost airline called FLYBE from Southampton in England. I did this last year and it was great. The tiny Avignon airport is a joy. It is like flying in the good old days. You can get to Southampton by train from London. Go to www.flybe.com and look up Avignon flights. It's only about 1 1/2 hrs. and very reasonable. Then you could take the TGV back to Paris...always enjoyable.
Posted by
near NY, NJ, USA
445 posts
If you can travel to Avignon on a SAturday, there is now diect service to Avignon from London.Go to the Eurostar web site for info. The other possibility is a lowcost airline called FLYBE from Southampton in England. I did this last year and it was great. The tiny Avignon airport is a joy. It is like flying in the good old days. You can get to Southampton by train from London. Go to www.flybe.com and look up Avignon flights. It's only about 1 1/2 hrs. and very reasonable. Then you could take the TGV back to Paris...always enjoyable.
Posted by
near NY, NJ, USA
445 posts
Paris/Avignon on TGV is 2 hrs.40 min. I can't get from NY to Boston in that time on a train!