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Basque Tour: CDG to Bayonne by train from CDG or Montparnasse?

Posted by (Oakland, California) on

To meet up with my Basque Country tour in early May, I've decided to not take a connecting flight from SFO to BIQ via CDG due to the flight times and duration of the layover at CDG. Taking the high-speed rail from Paris to Bayonne feels a lot more relaxing, plus I have more control over my timings. I plan to fly from SFO to CDG direct (~11 hours). I realize there are two options: (1) Take the train to Bayonne from the CDG train station, which would take 5-6 hours. (2) Get myself over to the Montparnasse train station in Paris, where I can take a faster train to Bayonne for just under 4 hours.

Any thoughts on the better option? The lower hassle move would be to take the train directly from CDG—versus take a bus to Montparnasse station—but 5-6 hour train ride seems very long. Does anyone have experience with one or the other or both?

I haven't yet booked my flight but can either land in the late morning or early afternoon. I am also willing to stay a night in either Paris or near the airport to rest between the flight and train ride.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Posted by
1705 posts

I don’t see the time savings as it would take you an hour to get from CDG to Montparnasse. Now if you want to stay in central Paris simply to enjoy Paris, (which always has my vote) stay in the 6th or 7th and take a taxi to Montparnasse the next day! Or stay a couple of nights. Enjoy!

Posted by
393 posts

I recommend spending at least one night in Paris and then taking the 4 hour fast train to Bayonne. We are on the Basque Country tour that starts on 5/5. We're flying into CDG and spending 2 nights in Paris. Our hotel is a few blocks from Gare Montparnasse. On the 5th, we'll be taking the 1002 TGV train to Bayonne. I bought our train tickets the day they went on sale in late January.

Posted by
6486 posts

I stayed in Paris for a couple of nights before taking the train to Bayonne. That worked well for me. I’ve taken trains after arriving from an overnight flight and I generally regret it. You might consider looking for a hotel near Montparnasse and spending a night or two before taking a fast train to Bayonne.

Posted by
791 posts

I thoroughly enjoyed that tour. Taking the train from CDG to Bayonne was very convenient and the time passed by quickly. Traveling into the city to catch the high speed train may be a waste of time especially if the train departing from the airport arrives in Bayonne before the high speed train from Gare Montparnasse.

Posted by
82 posts

Thank you all for sharing your past experiences and future plans, I really appreciate it! Sounds like staying the city may be a better choice, especially given more frequent departures from Montparnasse than from CDG.

@Reederman, it looks like we will be on the same tour! I look forward to meeting you.

Posted by
393 posts

We look forward to meeting you as well! We're staying at the Hotel Lenox Montparnasse, which is a favorite of Rick Steves (it was our hotel for both the Paris and the Heart of France and the France My Way tours that we took). It's in a great location. Topa!

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