I just posed this same question on the TVG site, but I'd like your experienced answers/advice on this too! We're flying in to Paris/CDG at 0645. We're thinking that there will be enough time to find our way to the TGV station right there at CDG for the 0815 trip down to Tours. Questions (1) Is this enough time, even if we're lets say 30 minutes late? (2) If we were to miss that train, could we get on the next train out using the same ticket, at the same price? Thanks!
I'm trying to find this info out, but sometimes it's a bit difficult to find direct answers!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
(2) I don't think so. You could not in Germany. If you miss a train due to the fault of the Bahn, they will put you on the next train, but a delayed flight is not the Bahn's fault. That's why I never recommend someone use a Bahn Savings Fare right after their flight is scheduled to arrive. I've been on 2 or 3 flights from the US to Germany that were 1 hr late.
Posted by
Peterborough, ON, Canada
1621 posts
Jean-Paul, did you buy the onward travel on the TGV as part of your airfare? That's what we did; it was all on our Air France ticket. If so, you can skip to the front of the line at customs to allow you to rush to the station (a worker was asking everyone in line if they had onward travel with their ticket). It is only allowed if you booked it in one ticket, not if you booked the train separately. Once at the station, go to the extreme right side of the ticket booth and then there's a marked lane for Air-combined travel. That line was empty, the others lengthy.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Jean-Paul , if you have not purchased the Tours TGV ticket yet,, and as Andrea said, its not part of your flight deal,, do not purchase it for an 8;15 train,,It takes about an hour to get through immigration, then get your luggage, and it can take longer if there are alot of flights arriving at same time as yours. Sometimes you have to deplane and then wait for a bus to take you to the terminal, etc.. Cut too close. And,yes, if plane is late, you have lost your ticket, tickets are timed. Hopefully you have purchased a ticket as Andrea says.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
I agree with the others that the odds are you will miss the 08:19 train. If you bought discount fare tickets, they will be no good if you miss the train. If you bought full fare tickets, you can exchange them for tickets on the 10:19 train. Here's a quote from the tgv-europe site concerning exchanging full fare tickets: "This ticket may be exchanged or refunded free of charge up to 2 hours after the departure, in the departure town only (SNCF ticket offices and boutiques). This ticket cannot be exchanged or refunded after that time."
.
Posted by
OP
indianapolis
228 posts
Thanks for all of your help so far! No, we haven't bought the tickets yet, as the trip isn't until September and we can't buy them for a bit longer. Okay, the 0815 train is out of the question now. Now we won't be rushed to get there and can sit to have an espresso et croissant au beurre for our petit dejeuner between arriving and departing!
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
I wouldn't book a ticket for a train leaving before 10am, honestly...give yourself PLENTY of time. If you buy a savings fare you can exchange it up to the day of travel for 10 Euro but will have to pay more if prices have gone up, and they do.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4412 posts
"Now we won't be rushed to get there and can sit to have an espresso et croissant au beurre for our petit dejeuner between arriving and departing!" BINGO!