Which Paris airport to get TGV to Avignon - TGV to Nice?

which PARIS airport connects directly to the TGV? CDG. does the TGV from NIce go directly to Avignon or does it go through Marseilles and then on to Avignon. Depends. Those which go via Aix en Provence usually skip Marseille. Those which go via Marseille usually skip Aix en Provence. Welcoming any advice!
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If you are flying with an American airline you almost certainly will land at Charles de Gaulle. CdG has its own SNCF high-speed TGV station (as well as a RER commuter station) with TGV trains to Avignon. You can find the schedule at www.TGV-europe.com Specify any country other than the US or Australia as your home to avoid being bumped to the more costly RailEurope site. You can print out tickets or pick them up at the airport station. The Marseille airport is much closer to Avignon than is Nice. If travelling Air France or its partners (KLM, Delta) you can connect at CdG to Marseille for very little extra cost. The train station at that airport has regional service to Avignon but tickets are sold only by machine or in advance. The machines require a chip-and-pin credit card. Otherwise you have to take a shuttle or taxi to Marseille or Aix en Provence for a train to Avignon. The Marseille Provence airport has a useful website http://www.marseille-airport.com/

Nigel and Southam,
Thank you so much for your prompt replies and explanations. Nigel, I have tried the Bahn website to no avail but I think I have figured out what I was doing incorrectly and will attempt it again thanks to the webmaster's explanations noted on the travel help line.

CGD is the only Paris airport served by the TGV. Even though it's closer to Avignon, the train from Nice will take longer to get there. So there is no great logistical advantage to flying to Nice to get to Avignon.

Just to - I got the tix to fly into Nice as I really want to share the sights of the Riviera with my friend. We will surely enjoy the scenery from the trains to Avignon even if it is a longer ride. thanks!

We were at the Marseilles airport train station this spring. The credit card did not work in the machines, despite the very gallant efforts of a friendly local. However, there were helpful people to sell us our tickets to Arles and shuttled you to the nearby station. I always opt for people over machines, and can't recall why I even tried the machines. Maybe thought the staffed booth was for busses? Anyway, it worked easily in the end.

Thanks Bets! That's why I chose to go to Nice - it is indeed very beautiful there and my companion has never been there. Palm trees, the sea, fabulous architecture and the "small" size makes it a winner to me! I cannot wait to see it again and share with him. It has been over 6 years since i last landed there. I look forward to getting to the other museums of artists on the Riviera that I haven't yet seen and to see the Art at the Foundation Maeght in St Paul de Vence. Regarding credit cards for Europe - USA credit card industry is behind as pin and chip cards are needed in Europe instead of the US magnetic strip cards. I noticed in the latest AAA travel magazine that AAA is offering a credit card that is a viable alternative for use in Europe. Might be worth looking into. Anyone know of any budget places they'd recommend in Nice or Ville de Franche, Beauleiau (sp?) for a 2-3 days? As long as I am close to a bakery for croissant and coffee I'm happy. Thanks

Leslie:
My husband and I love Nice, a great small city and sidewalk restaurants, mmm. We stayed at Hotel Mercure Marche aux Fleurs, thanks to Rick Steves tour. Not economical,but the front door looks out at the beach But for convenience to the train station and reasonable, we stayed at the Ibis hotel the last time. You can see the train station from the hotel and a short walk to the tram (1 euro). It is easy to get from Paris CdG airport to the TGV to Avignon. Leaves terminal 2. Returning from Avignon is the same, easy. Unless you follow my husband and get on the wrong train, as we did a month ago. Luckily it was going to Paris gare de Lyon and they had two vacant seats for us. Still no problem with RER getting back to CdG airport. It is still great fun traveling even if you get on the wrong train.

Leslie, You can get by without a chip and pin but it can be more convenient to have one. I'd say that if this AAA card is cheap or free and easy to obtain, then why not. But if you have to pay a lot, and it's a hassle to get, it might not be worth it, especially since you aren't planning on driving. There is almost always a way to get around the inconvenience--like using cash, looking for ticket windows, etc.

To Denny: I don't want to sidetrack this thread, but did you find a train ticket agent at the Marseille-Provence airport? Four years it ago it was strictly machine sales, to my considerable cost.