CDG TGV to Avignon

TGV station is an easy walk from 2E luggage claim. So you can be standing on your train platform 15 minutes after you claim your luggage. I suppose if you booked economy, you'd be in second class, which is very comfortable. 2X2 seating, so you have either a window or an aisle seat. Most compare it to airline business class as far as seat room. Watch the French countryside go by at 300 km/hr.

Thanks, Sam!

Ps. You will have an assigned seat and car number. There will be a diagram on the platform telling you exactly where to stand for your assigned car. Wait for those getting off (the train is probably coming from Lille, or originating at CDG-TGV) and then board. There are luggage racks immediately as you enter the car for big items, and overhead racks for smaller items. Should take 1 minute to board and get situated.

That clears things up a bit. Thanks again Sam :) I really have to get used to train travel and packing lighter! I'm sure it will be much more enjoyable.

The advantage of booking them together is you won't have any problems if your flight is delayed and you miss the train. They will put you on another one. If you book separately and you miss the train you will need to buy a new ticket. Pack as lightly as you can. You won't be sorry.

Thanks Andrea! I had thought of that as well. Unsure yet as to what I will do but certainly I will be practicing my packing skills way in advance.

You've probably investigated this already, but if not (and you have not bought your ticket) you should at least compare to an actual flight to Marseilles. The TGV is great and much quicker than flying if you originate in Paris, but maybe not compared to a flight from Montreal to Marseilles. See which gets you there fastest and cheapest.

Hi Adam, no I haven't yet purchased my tickets and I will definitely be looking at all options before making a final decision.
Thank you for your input, much appreciated.

Air France will fly you from Montreal to Paris and then on to Marseille airport for about $50-100 more than a simple round trip Montreal-Paris. Then from Marseille airport to the centre of Avignon by regional train for a few euros, or take a quick shuttle to the Aix TGV station and on to Avignon's TGV station on the edge of the city. Later you can train it to Lyon and Paris. The TGV ride throught the centre of France is a technological thrill worth experiencing one way. You can buy and print tickets for the TGV from CdG to Avignon on the Internet at home. The TGV station at the big airport is relatively easy to find. But you will face the tension of worrying about your plane arriving late. I prefer the circuit I proposed because it lessens that worry. As well it allows for a relatively comfortable homeward departure time in Paris. For train tavel, check the sites www.seat61.com and www.Parisbytrain.com (run by a Canadian.) Lots of help for CdG at its site http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-GB/Passagers/Home/ Helpful info on the Marseille airport here http://www.marseille-airport.com/
Avignon's co-operative tourism office http://www.avignon-tourisme.com/home-1-2.html

Hilda, From what we saw, the air-rail combo is a nice deal, not at all what you are imagining. Here is what we saw when we landed and were taking the TGV to Brussels. Air France has it's own waiting room in the airport train station. A host and hostess were at a counter in front of it checking people in. People only had carry on because their luggage was transfered for them, since this was technically a continuation of their flight. Seats were assigned based on the airplane fare class. We, on the other hand, were dragging our bags and standing around in the crowded station because we had separate air and rail tickets. But we were all on the same train. I decided then and there to always check for this type of ticket before booking only to Paris. Hopefully, if you call Air France, the ticket agent will be able to confirm this procedure for you. I think this would be a lot easier and take the same or even less time than a plane to Marseille, transfer to the train lugging your bags and then riding back north to Avignon.

Thanks for the websites, Southam. I'm sure they'll come in handy and be helpful. Will take a more thorough look soon.
Thanks for clarifying things, Bets. I think I'll call the airline and get details on the exact procedure.

Just a quick note that the Avignon TGV train station is not actually in the city center. You will need a 15 minute bus ride to get there. There is the Avignon Center train station which is in the city center but there are no tracks between the two stations. You'll need the bus.

Thanks, Larry! That's important information to have.
So, just to clarify. The TGV from the airport will NOT stop at the central train station in Avignon. I will have to take the bus or other transportation to get to my hotel.

The shuttle bus to central Avignon will be waiting for all the passengers getting off the TGV.

Thank you, Bets!

Hilda, the trains will stop at either Avignon Central or Avignon TGV coming from Paris or Lyon. But, they don't stop at both because there are no tracks between the two stations. Hence the bus. It works just fine.