TGV - lift Q

[kizzabel]

Hi all
I'm debating our transfer options for October and was I've narrowed it down to 3 options. It will be myself (with backpack & big suitcase) Dd aged 7 and Ds aged 4 (both with their own mini trolley case). Here's our options:
1 - Rs transfers both ways
2 - TGV both ways
3 - TGV to DLP, RS to CDG.

Which would you go for?
Also is there a lift in MLV-Chessy station as the last time we could use the lift when we arrived but on departure couldn't find access to it and we ended up hopping/stepping the big suitcase down the stairs. Cringe!

 

[A Small World]

I would use transfers both ways to make it easier .

By the time you have transferred luggage on the airport shuttle to the TGV station (Assume you will have to do this), waited for the TGV, got to the station at MLV and then walked to your hotel or got on another shuttle bus I think it will have taken longer and been more stressful than getting collected at the terminal and dropped at your hotel with no need to fight with luggage and escalators.

 

[DLPdaft]

yep I agree - I'd do shared shuttle both ways with rstransport. There are escalators down to the train platforms at the station at DLP, same at CDG station platforms. I just use them instead of lifts when I take the TGV.

 

[kizzabel]

I would use transfers both ways to make it easier .

By the time you have transferred luggage on the airport shuttle to the TGV station (Assume you will have to do this), waited for the TGV, got to the station at MLV and then walked to your hotel or got on another shuttle bus I think it will have taken longer and been more stressful than getting collected at the terminal and dropped at your hotel with no need to fight with luggage and escalators.

yep I agree - I'd do shared shuttle both ways with rstransport. There are escalators down to the train platforms at the station at DLP, same at CDG station platforms. I just use them instead of lifts when I take the TGV.

I've a couple of weeks to think on it before tickets are out for the TGV. I love that we get there so quickly but as you said it could be more stress then its worth. Thanks guys

 

[A Small World]

I've a couple of weeks to think on it before tickets are out for the TGV. I love that we get there so quickly but as you said it could be more stress then its worth. Thanks guys

Ive never done it by TGV so might be wrong but I dont think you do get there any quicker.
The actual journey itself is very short but when you factor in the getting to the station, waiting for the train (which I think you have to book a specific one so will probably have to leave a bit longer in case of delays) and getting to the hotel at the other end - I think that could take longer than the trip by shuttle

 

[kizzabel]

Going on Septembers times it wouldn't work out much of a time saver as both TGV and shared shuttle would have us at SF at about 11am. Maybe I'll go by cost instead. The train back would be handy if Octobers times match Septembers.

 

[DLPdaft]

on the CDG - DLP journey you definitely don't get to your DLP hotel any quicker going by TGV compared with shared/private shuttle. This is because the shuttle picks you up near your arrival gate, and at a quiet time of day the road journey gate to door of your hotel is 30 minutes.

By TGV, you need to walk/take the CDGVal from your arrival gate to the TGV train station platform. I've not been able to do this in less than 15 minutes once through the arrivals gate, it takes longer if you arrive in T1 or T3. Even if you have no wait for your TGV train to DLP, and it does take 10 minutes, you've then got to get to your hotel from the train station - if you walk or take the hotel shuttle bus thats still another 10 minutes. So thats a total of 35 minutes, if you have minimal waiting for your TGV.

For the journey from DLP to CDG - thats very convenient doing by TGV, pop your cases into the train station lockers in the morning on your last day, and you're all set. If you have a TGV going from DLP to CDG around 2 and a half hours before your plane departure time, thats just about perfect .

 

[kizzabel]

Thanks for putting it in perspective Elaine. It looks that the times for the return leg work out better. I'll wait it out another but before deciding

 

[wendybird7]

For me, I would always now look to take the TGV - as there are usually only two of us, I've found it generally works out cheaper. But for a group, a shared shuttle is excellent. Also, I find the TGV takes away any of that 'will the driver be there' stress - and if you are arriving into Terminal 2 I find the walk to the station is 10 minutes, and it's super speedy if you haven't checked luggage in of course, same if you are getting a taxi obviously. With two kids, I could understand wanting to take the shuttle to the hotels, but for the way back I would say TGV for sure

PS - plus I find the high speed trains a bit thrilling - can't believe how quickly they can take you from A to B! After years of taking the VEA 'express' bus, this was a shock!!

 

[kizzabel]

We found the VEA to be ridiculously expensive when I was looking at different transport options. It worked out more expensive then a shared shuttle!