How reliable is the TGV service?

[Skala]

Afternoon everyone!
As we are departing from CDG airport after our Trip to DLP, (we arrive via Orly) I'm tempted to book the TGV from Marne-La-Vallee to "save" on park time. The only site I could understand was one called Rail Europe.
Has anyone used this site to book tickets before- is it o.k? If I book the 17.32 train- arriving at 1741, am I pushing it for our flight at 1920? Check in closes half an hour before the flight but do the trains run on time? Do they often strike? Or cancel if there are leaves on the line! We usually always get to an airport way too early but in this case I'd love to try and throw off that habit for some extra magic and I'm quite curious about a train that takes just 9 minutes to do that journey! Can anyone who has used the TGV advise me. Thanks.

 

[cap'njack.]

From experience they are on time, much cleaner than UK trains and faster.
The French seem to get a bit of a reputation for striking, however if there was a strike on you would know about it in advance and would be able to change your plans accordingly.

 

[bavaria]

Book directly off the site - www.sncf.fr

Rail Europe does a very high markup - I have seen more than 100% added on.

TGV is very reliable; as noted you would be aware of strike action in advance. For the 10 minutes you most likely won't even sit down, but yes, TGV trains are next to German trains the cleanest, most comfortable I have seen in most of Europe, and I have travelled by train all over France.

(I was shocked by Thalys, even though I had read warnings here - Thalys first class was an embarassment....)

 

[cap'njack.]

Book directly off the site - www.sncf.fr

Rail Europe does a very high markup - I have seen more than 100% added on.

TGV is very reliable; as noted you would be aware of strike action in advance. For the 10 minutes you most likely won't even sit down, but yes, TGV trains are next to German trains the cleanest, most comfortable I have seen in most of Europe, and I have travelled by train all over France.

(I was shocked by Thalys, even though I had read warnings here - Thalys first class was an embarassment....)

I'd forgotten about the German trains

 

[bavaria]

I'd forgotten about the German trains

Not all German trains are lovely...

BUT I don't think that we have any where one has to open the door from the outside Those always confused me....

AND I have never fallen through the gap under a German train. I have however er..... had the pleasure of seeing the underside of a British train thanks to a very worn wooden step! (Yes, one has to mind the gap on more besides just the Tube)

 

[DLPdaft]

Afternoon everyone!
As we are departing from CDG airport after our Trip to DLP, (we arrive via Orly) I'm tempted to book the TGV from Marne-La-Vallee to "save" on park time. The only site I could understand was one called Rail Europe.
Has anyone used this site to book tickets before- is it o.k? If I book the 17.32 train- arriving at 1741, am I pushing it for our flight at 1920? Check in closes half an hour before the flight but do the trains run on time? Do they often strike? Or cancel if there are leaves on the line! We usually always get to an airport way too early but in this case I'd love to try and throw off that habit for some extra magic and I'm quite curious about a train that takes just 9 minutes to do that journey! Can anyone who has used the TGV advise me. Thanks.

Skala thats the exact TGV I get back to CDG. I've used it 3 times, it has always been on time, and never taken more than the 10 minutes journey time. I use that TGV for a 19.35 flight out from terminal 1. I never have time at the airport to do anything but check in, go up to security and passport control, and then on to the departure gate (so no time for shopping etc). If security and passport control are quick to get through, I may have 15 or 20 minutes time left to wait at the departure gate, but thats about it.

Its definitely my preferred method of getting back from DLRP to CDG, as it gives me easily an extra hour in the parks over other transport methods.

 

[Skala]

Thanks everyone.
Oh I'd much rather have the extra time in the park than in the departure lounge! Elaine- if you have only around 20 minutes to spare and my flight is a bit earlier than your usual- maybe we would be cutting it fine! It would be so much easier if we could just stay another day!
By the way how do you all insert those smiles? (I'm hopeless at that kind of stuff!)

 

[emmah]

I want to catch the TGV the other way - from CDG to DLP - on the morning of 4 January. My plane arrives around 8.30am so I was planning on a 9am'ish departure. However, I followed the link above and from what I can gather (my french is v shaky) - it seems like there are no trains departing that morning? Does that seem correct to those of you who are familiar with the TGV? Am I doing something wrong?

 

[bavaria]

Emma, is this the page that returned for you?

Document non trouvé
La page que vous demandez n'existe pas.

There is a broken link when I try and search for your date. (Also the site computes '2009' as '20085' so that is a problem - they like to change the SNCF site very frequently and it is not user friendly even for those of us who speak French) Let me take a look on another site and I will try and post some suitable times for you - stay tuned!

 

[bavaria]

Here you go Emma!

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic...mConsHorPropositionAller&_LANG=FR&_AGENCY=VSC

AEROPORT CDG 2 TGV 08h58 5212 Période normale
Valider cet aller

MARNE LA VALLEE CHESSY 09h07


Gares de départ et d'arrivée Horaires Train(s) Durée : 00h10

AEROPORT CDG 2 TGV 09h25 5112 Période normale
Valider cet aller

MARNE LA VALLEE CHESSY 09h35


Gares de départ et d'arrivée Horaires Train(s) Durée : 00h11

AEROPORT CDG 2 TGV 10h27 5213 Période normale
Valider cet aller

MARNE LA VALLEE CHESSY 10h38


Gares de départ et d'arrivée Horaires Train(s) Durée : 00h09

AEROPORT CDG 2 TGV 11h43 5164 Période normale
Valider cet aller

MARNE LA VALLEE CHESSY 11h52

 

[gcmcmsa]

I want to catch the TGV the other way - from CDG to DLP - on the morning of 4 January. My plane arrives around 8.30am so I was planning on a 9am'ish departure. However, I followed the link above and from what I can gather (my french is v shaky) - it seems like there are no trains departing that morning? Does that seem correct to those of you who are familiar with the TGV? Am I doing something wrong?

Hi Emma,

Below is the link from www.sncf.co.uk for trains on 4th January around 9am. Price is for 1 ault, one way.

http://www.raileurope.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=948

Hope this helps.

Have used TGV returning to CDG and it was great, didn't even get a chance to sit, by the time I had all the suitcases up on the shelves, it was time to take them back down!!!

 

[emmah]

thank you! Yes, that was the message I was getting - I thought it meant that there were no trains that morning! such a relief. you guys rock!

So here is another question that it may be stupid to ask but .... for those of you who have flown and caught the TGV - how long do you think is realistic to get off the plane, collect luggage (I will have a case that needs to be checked) and make your way to the TGV platform and buy a ticket? It is a BA flight, supposed to arrive at 8.35am, terminal 2.) I am a fast walker and very organised! Assuming the flight is not delayed (and it leaves at 6am so hopefully that will not be a big problem). Is the 9.25am train in any way a realistic option or should I set my head for the 10.27 train?

many thanks
Emma

 

[bavaria]

I don't fly BA but CDG is usually quite quick with luggage compared to many other airports. I usually fly on LH or SWISS and it takes me about 30 min from arriving at the gate to getting onto the train between terminals. HOWEVER I am usually seated near the front of the aircraft and I walk very quickly.

The good news is that if you miss the earlier train, just board the later. I have done that many times - for a 9 minute journey nobody will notice or care.

 

[emmah]

OK, thanks = that is good to know. I will hope for the 9.27am but won't panic if i have to wait for the next one.

OK, sorted!

 

[Woody & Jessie]

We arrive to Paris through Orly when we traveled to Disney Paris last year and we used the VEA (buses). You can order tickets online or purchase them at the airport. Unfortunately I do not have enough posts on this website to give you the link. I recommend purchasing the round trip tickets if using a credit card at the airport. For some reason the credit card machines on the buses are never working.

 

[emmah]

We arrive to Paris through Orly when we traveled to Disney Paris last year and we used the VEA (buses). You can order tickets online or purchase them at the airport. Unfortunately I do not have enough posts on this website to give you the link. I recommend purchasing the round trip tickets if using a credit card at the airport. For some reason the credit card machines on the buses are never working.

If this was for me thank you. I want to use the TGV - it takes 10 minutes! My understanding is that the bus takes up to (and sometimes, from reports here) over an hour! thanks anyway!

 

[oh toodles!!!]

Hi Emma,

we had a worry about the same thing before we went but it all went to plan. Our plane landed on time at Terminal 2B. Within 10 minutes we had both suitcases and our buggy in our possesion.

We were then on the TGV platform within another 15 minutes after having to cross 2D to get to the station. And that was with a luggage trolley with the 2 cases and a child on it, and a buggy with a toddler in it.

We were on the platform about 50 minutes before our train was due so just jumped on the next one that came and didn't even take a seat seeing as the journey was so quick. Our tickets didn't get checked at any point.

We had no problems at all.

 

[Skala]

Hi Toodles,
Can I ask how long do you reckon it took you (on your return to CDG) to walk from the TGV station to your check in at 2B? I'm trying to reassure myself that I have enough time to catch the flight!

 

[oh toodles!!!]

Hi Skala,

It took us around 15 minutes getting from the doors of the train to 2B. Again, that was with trolley, suitcases, bags, buggy and kids. It probably could be done in half that time if you didn't have to wait for lifts and could walk at a decent pace.

I think the offical time, according to easycdg website, is 8 minutes from the centre of 2B to the train station.

 

[Bolanette87]

AND I have never fallen through the gap under a German train. I have however er..... had the pleasure of seeing the underside of a British train thanks to a very worn wooden step! (Yes, one has to mind the gap on more besides just the Tube)

Oh Gosh!!

Bob xoxoxox