which train from paris to amboise?

Traveled to Amboise in October for 2 days in the Loire. We bought our tickets at an SNCF office in Paris. TGV is an hour faster.

TGV from Gare Montparnasse to St. Pierre de Couer/Corps(?) (in between Tours & Amboise) train takes a little over an hour. I don't think there was a transfer - I didn't see a train station in Amboise (but we had a car - made chateau-hopping easier) Pick up rental car at train station (50 feet to your right as you exit the station). About a 45 minute drive to Amboise. Make sure to pick up the Michelin Map #518 (Centre) - available at most Barnes & Noble. It is absolutely essential for touring the Loire.

There's a Meridian Hotel near Montparnasse (stayed there 2006), I wouldn't recommend it, but I stayed for free - if you have Starwood Hotels points, you could use them. Otherwise, there's lots of hotels in the neighborhood. For October 2007, we ended up staying near Rue Cler and took a taxi to Montparnasse.

I read this with interest as we are also planning to take a train from Paris to Amboise this fall. We have already reserved a room at www.leblason.fr,which is inexpensive and in Rick Steves's book.

Sorry, I guess there is a train station in Amboise (per the 2005 RS France book - I've loaned out my 2007 book).

However, 10/07 it was very easy to get from St. Pierre de Couer to Amboise by rental car. Not sure about the transfer from St. Pierre to Amboise or how long it would take.

Additionally, IMHO, if your going to be in the Loire, I would think a rental car would be necessary. I know some do without, but the it's really much simpler and opens the entire Valley to you.

Jeff

I stayed near Montparnasse and then just took the metro to Austerlitz for the train to Amboise. I ended up taking an earlier regional train than the one I originally reserved- it might've been a couple hours; some stops, but very pleasant. The station in Amboise is tiny with no services- not even taxis. We had intended to rent our car in Amboise but the Avis outpost from the 2007 RS book was boarded up! Panic!!! We took a taxi (phoned for the day before by our gracious B&B hostess) out about 15 minutes to the alternative AutoEurope office.

If you won't be staying in Amboise more than overnight, it might be worth getting your car in St. Pierre des Corps. Amboise is very walkable- about 15 minutes at the most from the station to the river. I did similar research and agree that it looks like a couple of hours, whichever option you choose.

Yes, I would agree, Amboise is VERY walkable. It's not a big town, and everything of interest is easily reached by parking in the main public lot. From Montparnasse, it's easily only a 2-1/2 hour trip from Montparnasse to St. Pierre, pick up rental car, drive to Amboise.

Don't know about the Austerlitz connection though.....

Can't stress enough the value of having a car (and a Michelin Map) in the Loire. You can arrive before most of the bus/daytrip groups from Paris and can actually enjoy the Chateaux (Chenonceau/Chambord) before the buses arrive - BIG difference! Cheverny was not very crowded, very few tourists there in October.

we waited until we got to Paris to make the reservations (2nd class) at an SNCF office (car at the Europecar in St. Germain) - very straightforward (AND they remind you to validate your tickets!).

The source of the problem is Rail Europe. Their timetables are notoriously incomplete, particularly when a route requires connections.

The best timetables for all of Europe are at www.bahn.de. Click on the drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner for English. After you get summary timetables for Paris-Amboise, click on "Details for all" to see the connecting points, if any. You'll find departures listed from both Gare d'Austerlitz and Gare Montparnasse.

thank you all for your info. Still cant's seem to get reservation info for Paris Montparnasse to Amboise, though from Rail Europe.ca website. Here's link which shows the service from Gare Austerlitz to Amboise. If you click details it talks about TGV service.

http://www.raileurope.ca/canada/rail/point_to_point/results.htm?cobrand=publicca&fn=fsRequest&c=CAD&r=0&F0=Paris&T0=Amboise&nA=3&nC=1&nY=0&nS=0&d0=5&m0=8&t0=morning&s=Search

Newbie here. Am planning a day trip into Paris from Amboise, and wanted to know if there is an advantage to buying online before going to reserve a seat or to get a better price. I don't really want to buy early and commit to a particular day just yet, but don't want to pay a higher price just to wait.

Thanks

We took the train from Paris to Amboise in Sept and we got our tickets from Rail Europe--but we went from Austerlitz, not Montparnasse. I think I used 'Paris' for my search...it went directly to Amboise and there were a couple of taxis at the train station when we got there. We walked to the b&b (La Grange, which was nice) with our luggage. It was do-able but in hindsight, we should have taken a cab. On our way to St. Emilion out of Amboise, we had to change trains in St. Pierre des Corps.

As for a car, we rented one for a day in Amboise (Europcar is not walkable though, we took a cab) and I agree it was essential...ditto on the Michelin map

Be aware that it is about a 30-minute drive from St. Pierre des Corps to Amboise. If you are renting a car, the rental places are right across the street from the terminal.
We traveled from St. Pierre des Corps to Paris Montparnasse in May on the TGV. I certainly wouldn't go thru Austerlitz. When I checked raileurope, I saw the trains from Montparnasse. You can also check on www.bahn.de.

When are you needing the reservations?

need some help. landing at CDG and going to amboise. flight lands at 8:40 just after the train leaves for amboise, so here are my questions

1. the next train from CDG to amboise leaves at 1:37. should i wait or go to gare austerlitz and take 11:47 train.

2. do either of the trains from CDG or gare austerlitz require transfers

3. if the recommendation is gare autserlitz, should I take cab, shuttle or metro

Thank you

Alan,

Go into Paris and take the 11:41 train directly from Gare d'Austerlitz to Amboise. You won't waste time waiting for the later train that departs from CDG and you'll save money. If you leave from CDG, the fare is over €60 because the first leg (CDG to St-Pierre-des-Corps) is on a TGV. The fare for the direct Gare d'Austerlitz-Amboise train is €28.20.

Take the RER B from CDG to St-Michel Notre-Dame. Transfer to the RER C and take it to Gare d'Austerlitz. The fare is €8.50. For a zoomable map of the RER and Metro system, go here.