Can someone please help me deciding whether to fly, drive or take train in France? I am traveling to France next month to visit some of the wine regions. I only have 5 days but want to go Burgundy, Bordeaux and Loire (just surrounding areas of Tours).
Flying between Bordeaux and Paris is about 70 minutes whereas 3.5 hours by train and 5.5 hours by car. If you fly, do you have to show up at the airport strictly 2 hours before like in the States for domestic flights? Or do luggage take long time to come out? (which means I am not saving any time flying vs. train) What if we drove directly from Paris to Bordeaux via Tours? We are planning to rent a car in each city anyway so would it be easier to just rent a car in Paris and drive the whole way down to Bordeaux? Almost all travel related websites recommend train travel vs. driving...I am cost conscious but I am trying to find the most efficient way to travel so we have more time in each city.
Thank you!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32209 posts
Tammi,
I haven't looked at the routes, but travel by train would most definitely be my choice. It's not only faster than travel by car (especially the TGV at 300 kmH!) but also more comfortable and less stressful.
For travel from Paris to Bordeaux, you won't save any time by flying. By the time you get to the airport, check-in, go through security and all the usual procedures and then wait for luggage and travel into the city at the destination end, it will likely be longer than taking the train.
Note that with most flights in Europe, you'll be allowed ONE carry-on item of the prescribed size and weight. That doesn't mean one carry-on plus a "personal item" such as a purse - it means ONE BAG ONLY! Coats are not included in that limit. There could also be steep overweight charges for luggage, especially if RyanAir is involved.
Good luck!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I think what these questions usually boil down to is, are you going to enjoy the drive or not? Will that journey be your destination?
With five days, I'm guessing the answer might be "no." If the objective is to arrive in these three regions and visit sights and vineyards as efficiently as possible, then, also, probably no.
If you are up for a road trip, though, it could be memorable.
There is a middle path, something like this (assuming your plan is to skip Paris):
1) The morning you land, take the train to Beaune or other Burgundy destination. (Air France bus from the airport to Gare Lyon; if you like to drive, you could drive to Burgundy from the Airport, but there is no big advantage.)
Beaune is a good place to spend the day walking off jet lag, seeing sights, and tasting wine without leaving town.
2) The next day rent a car, visit a few nearby vinyards, and head for the Loire in time for dinner. (Or stay another night, which would be nice, but you haven't much time).
3) When you are done in the Loire, turn in your first rental car and take the train to Bordeaux, where you will pick up rental car #2.
4) Fly home from Bordeaux.
This is an awfully busy itinerary, but if you are nimble and have realistic expectations it can work.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
San Diego, CA
638 posts
I recommend train travel. As Ken said you'll lose any small amount of time you might have gained by flying with check in etc. Less stressful and you'll be in town versus outside at the airport then having to get into town.
Posted by
OP
New York, NY
2 posts
Ken and Barry,
Thank you for your advice. I have ruled out fling as my option.
Adam,
I was contemplating driving down to Lyon to fly to Bordeaux to connect two regions without going back to Paris but I didn't think to drive to Tours from Beaune! It's only 3.5 hours according to viamichelin so it's completely doable. Thank you so much for the idea!