We need to take a train from Arles to Marseille Sunday morning, 9/1/13, in order to catch a Ryan Air flight from Marseille to Pisa at 1535. I've read a lot of posts and RS books, and still am uncertain, and a little confused: 1. Do we purchase ahead of time to assure we will have seats, and to get the best price? Or do we purchase several days before departure while we are in Arles, or the morning of our departure? Both the SNCF and the Bahn sites show frequent departure times (1003, 1017, 1037, 1204, etc) from Arles to Vitrolles Aeroport Marseilles. The SNCF site notes the train as a TER and a CAR ; the Bahn site an RE. 2. We've already booked our Ryan Air flight. It shows we depart from Marseilles MP2 (MRS). As we book train tickets, which is the best arrival location: -Vitrolles Aieroport Marseille -Marseille Provence Aeroport
-Marseille Train Station
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
126 posts
Hello Susan, The train from Arles to Vitrolles Aeroport Marseilles station is a regional train and no seat reservation is required, just buy at the station – it's only a 30+ minute trip depending on the train you catch. The fare is 11.70 euros There is a shuttle bus from the Vitrolles Aeroport Marseilles station to the airport – the trip is about 5 minutes – have a look at this site - http://www.mp2airport.com/access-2/ I don't know how many hours ahead you need to check in with Ryan so that will determine your arrival time at the airport then work back from there for your departure time from Arles and then build some extra time in just in case something was to go astray. Use the DBahn site or the SNCF site to check train departure/arrival times.
Hint: As the train will only be stopping for a short time it's worth knowing in advance when your stop is coming up. Once you have decided on your train, then print out the intermediate stops from the DBahn site and keep that with you – that way you can prepare yourself
Posted by
OP
Rochester Hills, MI, USA
33 posts
Thank you, Baz!
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
Susan, just double-checking: your title says Avignon but your post asks about departing from Arles. Which one is it?
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
I recall tgv usually doesn't stop by arles. Avignon has tgv stops. i'd buy ticket on your arrival day (assuming you'll be in town for 1 or 2 days), to have plenty time ahead.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
126 posts
Hi Susan,
If you did mean Avignon – there are regional trains from Avignon Centre to Vitrolles Aeroport Marseilles station departing at 09:44, 10:15, 11:44, 12:16 arriving 10:37, 11:20, 12:37, 13:20 respectively– no reservation required, cost 16.70
Posted by
OP
Rochester Hills, MI, USA
33 posts
Sorry, incorrect title to my question. We are picking up our car in Avignon, but departing from Arles!!
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4087 posts
To avoid possible confusion, the train station close to the Marseille airport (which, as you will notice, goes by several different names) has only regional trains. The most convenient TGV station is at Aix-en-Provence where there is also a bus shuttle to the airport but it takes longer than the short hop from the regional station. There is a helpful website for that airport; check the Access menu: http://www.marseille-airport.com/