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South Of France By Train
19 Answers
I've been invited to a wedding in July in southern France. I wont fly so considering all the options. Quite fancy going by train but find the booking of it very daunting. Ill be going to Rodez. I'm really hoping Chris Buenchico sees this, because I just know he'll be able to point me in the right direction. I don't even know where to start; as in, WHERE I'd book the journey or how to ask about cost etc. Would I do it through a travel agent or at a station?
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I have this site in my Favourites. I haven't looked at it in depth but it might be of interest https:/
Hi Horseshoes.
It can often be cheapest to book through tickets from your home station, rather than to book tickets to London and then from there to your European destination, but it's not always so. Therefore it would help me to know your starting point.
If you know the exact dates when you'll be travelling that might help too.
A quick glance at the German railways website though indicates that you're looking at journey times approaching 11 hours from St Pancras International, with the smallest possible number of changes being two (the first of which involves getting across Paris but I can explain about how to do that easily later on)
[I've not gone mad. The German railways site really is the best way to plan European rail travel - even if you're going nowhere near Germany!]
It can often be cheapest to book through tickets from your home station, rather than to book tickets to London and then from there to your European destination, but it's not always so. Therefore it would help me to know your starting point.
If you know the exact dates when you'll be travelling that might help too.
A quick glance at the German railways website though indicates that you're looking at journey times approaching 11 hours from St Pancras International, with the smallest possible number of changes being two (the first of which involves getting across Paris but I can explain about how to do that easily later on)
[I've not gone mad. The German railways site really is the best way to plan European rail travel - even if you're going nowhere near Germany!]
Thanks, Horseshoes.
That suggests that you're going to need an overnight stop somewhere (unless there's an overnight train service available), so I'll need to take that into account.
I'm a little too far down this bottle of Italian white to be able to research with 100% confidence at the moment but I'll take a look at your options tomorrow.
That suggests that you're going to need an overnight stop somewhere (unless there's an overnight train service available), so I'll need to take that into account.
I'm a little too far down this bottle of Italian white to be able to research with 100% confidence at the moment but I'll take a look at your options tomorrow.
Just because they have decided to have a wedding in an inconvenient place does not mean you have to go if it is a lot of hassle and expense for you.
Just thank then for the invite and send a letter saying you wont come and hope it all goes OK and leave it at that.
My son decided to get married in Gibraltar a couple of years ago and the cost and hassle of taking the whole family there annoyed me.
If it had not been my son I would not have gone.
Just thank then for the invite and send a letter saying you wont come and hope it all goes OK and leave it at that.
My son decided to get married in Gibraltar a couple of years ago and the cost and hassle of taking the whole family there annoyed me.
If it had not been my son I would not have gone.
having travelled to the Rocamadour area, this is a journey Ive done several times. it is do-able in a day - just - but it's also one of only 3 journeys left in france that can be completed by couchette train.
Dep Bangor 05h02 gets you to Rodez at 22h01 with changes in London, Paris and Brive-La-Gaillard.
Dep Bangor 12h00 gets you to Rodez at 06h16 the next day with changes at Chester, London and Paris.
In London if you're fit and not carrying much luggage, it's an easy 10mn walk from getting off your train at Euston to reaching the international concourse at St Pancras - alternatively walk out of the front of the station (past the new Nando's) and hop on any bus going to King's Cross (you pay for your bus with a contactless card).
In Paris, for either journey you need to be at Austerlitz Station, which is a short journey from Paris Nord by Metro Line 5.
The area around Rodez is rugged but beautiful - if you can spare a few days, it's well worth having a look around; Rocamadour is awesome....
Dep Bangor 05h02 gets you to Rodez at 22h01 with changes in London, Paris and Brive-La-Gaillard.
Dep Bangor 12h00 gets you to Rodez at 06h16 the next day with changes at Chester, London and Paris.
In London if you're fit and not carrying much luggage, it's an easy 10mn walk from getting off your train at Euston to reaching the international concourse at St Pancras - alternatively walk out of the front of the station (past the new Nando's) and hop on any bus going to King's Cross (you pay for your bus with a contactless card).
In Paris, for either journey you need to be at Austerlitz Station, which is a short journey from Paris Nord by Metro Line 5.
The area around Rodez is rugged but beautiful - if you can spare a few days, it's well worth having a look around; Rocamadour is awesome....
oh, there are several UK agencies that can book your journey, including GoEuro, Rail Europe - and this company, https:/
On Thursday 5th July the Eurostar website is currently offering the following single fares from Bangor to Paris:
Depart 0514 (Arr 1347) £250.50
Depart 0618 (Arr 1447) £77.50
Depart 0722 (Arr 1547) £115.50
[The prices on Friday 6th are £270.50, £157.50 and £137.50, respectively]
I'll assume that you're not keen on paying two hundred and fifty quid, so that means that you'd be arriving in Paris at 1447 or 1547. Your only connection (from Gare d'Austerlitz, after transferring across Paris) would be at 1741, which wouldn't get you into Rodez until 0045. (There's a change of trains at Brive-La-Gaillarde, arriving at 2156 and departing at 2225). The single fare on that service is €73.60
So that's got you out there for under £145 (assuming you take the 0618 service from Bangor). Coming back though, the Eurostar website shows no services from Paris to Bangor on Sunday 8th.
On Monday 9th the last service leaves Paris at 1613 (getting you to Bangor at 2230) and costing £157.50. So you'd need to be up early to catch the 0621 service from Rodez, getting you into Paris at 1313. (There's a change of trains at Toulouse Matabiau, arriving at 0836 and departing at 0849). That service costs €76, making a total cost of about £225. [NB: that train arrives at Gare Montparnasse, not Gare d'Austerlitz]
So your return fare (excluding transfers across London and Paris) would be in the region of £370.
Putting all that lot into order gives the following:
Depart Bangor (on Thursday 5th July) at 0618.
Arrive Euston 0941
Take the Victoria Line (northbound) for just one stop to Kings Cross/St Pancras or, as Mushroom25 has suggested, simply walk down the road. (Note that unlike connections between National Rail services, Underground travel isn't included with through Eurostar bookings. You'd need to use a contactless debit card at the ticket barrier). A taxi wouldn't break the bank either, even at London's horrendous black cab prices!
Check in at the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras International and take the 1131 service to Paris.
Arrive Gare du Nord at 1447 (local time).
When you get onto the concourse, with the train you've just got off behind you, head off to your left, seeking out signs for Metro Line 5 (towards Place d'Italie). Take that line, for 9 stops, to Gare d'Austerlitz. (Note that you'll need to purchase a ticket from one of the many machines first).
[An alternative way to complete the transfer is to take RER Line B (towards Robinson / Saint Rémy Les-Chevreuse), for just 2 stops, to St-Michel-Notre-Dame and then follow the 'Correspondence' signs to find RER Line C (towards Massy-Palaiseau / Versaiiles-Chantiers / Dourdan / Saint-Martin-des-Etampes) where it's just one stop along to get to Gare d'Austerlitz. That's probably quicker than using Metro Line 5 but it does involve changing trains]
Get a meal, and perhaps look around the local area, at Gare D'Austerlitz. (The food outlets at Paris stations are generally rubbish but they all seem to have loads of good bistros just across the road).
Depart Gare d'Austerlitz at 1741
Arrive Brive-La-Gaillarde at 2156
Depart Brive-La-Gaillarde at 2225
Arrive Rodez at 0045
Coming back (on Monday 9th):
Depart Rodez 0621
Arrive Toulouse Matabiau 0836
Depart Toulouse Matabiau 0849
Arrive Gare Montparnasse 1313
Take Metro Line 4 (towards Porte de Clignancourte), for 14 stops, to Gare du Nord
Get a meal at one of the excellent bistros across the road from Gare du Nord
Take the 1613 Eurostar service to London
Arrive St Pancras International 1739 (UK time)
Transfer to Euston & get a meal
Depart Euston 1910
Arrive Bangor 2230
You can book the Bangor to Paris sector here:
https:/
and the Paris to Rodez sector here:
https:/
Depart 0514 (Arr 1347) £250.50
Depart 0618 (Arr 1447) £77.50
Depart 0722 (Arr 1547) £115.50
[The prices on Friday 6th are £270.50, £157.50 and £137.50, respectively]
I'll assume that you're not keen on paying two hundred and fifty quid, so that means that you'd be arriving in Paris at 1447 or 1547. Your only connection (from Gare d'Austerlitz, after transferring across Paris) would be at 1741, which wouldn't get you into Rodez until 0045. (There's a change of trains at Brive-La-Gaillarde, arriving at 2156 and departing at 2225). The single fare on that service is €73.60
So that's got you out there for under £145 (assuming you take the 0618 service from Bangor). Coming back though, the Eurostar website shows no services from Paris to Bangor on Sunday 8th.
On Monday 9th the last service leaves Paris at 1613 (getting you to Bangor at 2230) and costing £157.50. So you'd need to be up early to catch the 0621 service from Rodez, getting you into Paris at 1313. (There's a change of trains at Toulouse Matabiau, arriving at 0836 and departing at 0849). That service costs €76, making a total cost of about £225. [NB: that train arrives at Gare Montparnasse, not Gare d'Austerlitz]
So your return fare (excluding transfers across London and Paris) would be in the region of £370.
Putting all that lot into order gives the following:
Depart Bangor (on Thursday 5th July) at 0618.
Arrive Euston 0941
Take the Victoria Line (northbound) for just one stop to Kings Cross/St Pancras or, as Mushroom25 has suggested, simply walk down the road. (Note that unlike connections between National Rail services, Underground travel isn't included with through Eurostar bookings. You'd need to use a contactless debit card at the ticket barrier). A taxi wouldn't break the bank either, even at London's horrendous black cab prices!
Check in at the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras International and take the 1131 service to Paris.
Arrive Gare du Nord at 1447 (local time).
When you get onto the concourse, with the train you've just got off behind you, head off to your left, seeking out signs for Metro Line 5 (towards Place d'Italie). Take that line, for 9 stops, to Gare d'Austerlitz. (Note that you'll need to purchase a ticket from one of the many machines first).
[An alternative way to complete the transfer is to take RER Line B (towards Robinson / Saint Rémy Les-Chevreuse), for just 2 stops, to St-Michel-Notre-Dame and then follow the 'Correspondence' signs to find RER Line C (towards Massy-Palaiseau / Versaiiles-Chantiers / Dourdan / Saint-Martin-des-Etampes) where it's just one stop along to get to Gare d'Austerlitz. That's probably quicker than using Metro Line 5 but it does involve changing trains]
Get a meal, and perhaps look around the local area, at Gare D'Austerlitz. (The food outlets at Paris stations are generally rubbish but they all seem to have loads of good bistros just across the road).
Depart Gare d'Austerlitz at 1741
Arrive Brive-La-Gaillarde at 2156
Depart Brive-La-Gaillarde at 2225
Arrive Rodez at 0045
Coming back (on Monday 9th):
Depart Rodez 0621
Arrive Toulouse Matabiau 0836
Depart Toulouse Matabiau 0849
Arrive Gare Montparnasse 1313
Take Metro Line 4 (towards Porte de Clignancourte), for 14 stops, to Gare du Nord
Get a meal at one of the excellent bistros across the road from Gare du Nord
Take the 1613 Eurostar service to London
Arrive St Pancras International 1739 (UK time)
Transfer to Euston & get a meal
Depart Euston 1910
Arrive Bangor 2230
You can book the Bangor to Paris sector here:
https:/
and the Paris to Rodez sector here:
https:/
^^^ TGV services to Nice depart from Gare de Lyon, Jack.
Horseshoes:
If, after all that lot, you decide that you'd rather fly, then I suggest finding some accommodation close to Manchester Airport on Thursday evening (because there's not a train to get you there early enough on Friday morning). Then easyJet can get you to Rodez for £135.79 (single) on Friday 6th, including a change at Southampton, as follows:
Depart Manchester 0840
Arrive Southampton 0940
Depart Southampton 1115
Arrive Rodez 1340
(The second flight is actually operated by Eastern Airways but you can make a through booking on the FlyBe website)
You could then come back on Monday 9th, as follows:
Depart Rodez 1710
Arrive Southampton 1750
Depart Southampton 1835
Arrive Manchester 1940
That service is priced at £131.92 and would allow you to catch either the 2035 train from Manchester Airport (changing at Chester and getting you to Bangor at 2321) or the 2132 train (also changing at Chester and getting you to Bangor at 0013).
However you could opt to take a later flight from Southampton, at 2015. That reduces the through fare from Rodez to Manchester to £94.92. You'd then get into Manchester at 2115, enabling you to catch the 2250 service from Manchester Airport to Bangor (arriving at 0146, after changes at Manchester Oxford Road and Chester).
[NB: Note that Network Rail hasn't yet confirmed their new timetable arrangements with the train operating companies. You'd need to check those times closer to the date of travel].
Book flights here:
https:/
Check train times here:
http://
Ask if you need help finding accommodation close to Manchester Airport.
If you need to book accommodation in Rodez, or just to check out the tourism opportunities, see the official website here:
http://
Horseshoes:
If, after all that lot, you decide that you'd rather fly, then I suggest finding some accommodation close to Manchester Airport on Thursday evening (because there's not a train to get you there early enough on Friday morning). Then easyJet can get you to Rodez for £135.79 (single) on Friday 6th, including a change at Southampton, as follows:
Depart Manchester 0840
Arrive Southampton 0940
Depart Southampton 1115
Arrive Rodez 1340
(The second flight is actually operated by Eastern Airways but you can make a through booking on the FlyBe website)
You could then come back on Monday 9th, as follows:
Depart Rodez 1710
Arrive Southampton 1750
Depart Southampton 1835
Arrive Manchester 1940
That service is priced at £131.92 and would allow you to catch either the 2035 train from Manchester Airport (changing at Chester and getting you to Bangor at 2321) or the 2132 train (also changing at Chester and getting you to Bangor at 0013).
However you could opt to take a later flight from Southampton, at 2015. That reduces the through fare from Rodez to Manchester to £94.92. You'd then get into Manchester at 2115, enabling you to catch the 2250 service from Manchester Airport to Bangor (arriving at 0146, after changes at Manchester Oxford Road and Chester).
[NB: Note that Network Rail hasn't yet confirmed their new timetable arrangements with the train operating companies. You'd need to check those times closer to the date of travel].
Book flights here:
https:/
Check train times here:
http://
Ask if you need help finding accommodation close to Manchester Airport.
If you need to book accommodation in Rodez, or just to check out the tourism opportunities, see the official website here:
http://
Sorry for such a late reply. Thank you SO very much for all the trouble you've gone to. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Its just all so daunting. I just wouldn't know where to start.
Just something to note, I don't have to come back so soon after the wedding. I can hang around awhile a week or so. There seems to be lots of accommodation choice in Rodez. Although I dont HAVE to stay there.
Just something to note, I don't have to come back so soon after the wedding. I can hang around awhile a week or so. There seems to be lots of accommodation choice in Rodez. Although I dont HAVE to stay there.
Thanks for your reply.
Assuming that you still want to use the train, it might be worth considering spending a day or two in Paris on your way home. Then you'd have greater flexibility over train times. (i.e. you wouldn't necessarily have to get up really early when leaving Rodez and/or you'd be able to get back to Bangor a little earlier in the day).
Alternatively you could see what the rest of the Averyon department has to offer
http://
or perhaps stay in Toulouse for a few days and then take the train home from there:
https:/
(There are also flights from Toulouse to Manchester, with FlyBe).
Out of that lot I'd probably opt for Toulouse, as it's highly recommended as a place to visit and I tend to enjoy exploring cities (rather than smaller places). I've also been to Paris plenty of times but never to Toulouse.
If you can firm up your plans a bit (so that I know exactly where it is that you want to go), I'll be available to help you sort out any details if you need me.
Assuming that you still want to use the train, it might be worth considering spending a day or two in Paris on your way home. Then you'd have greater flexibility over train times. (i.e. you wouldn't necessarily have to get up really early when leaving Rodez and/or you'd be able to get back to Bangor a little earlier in the day).
Alternatively you could see what the rest of the Averyon department has to offer
http://
or perhaps stay in Toulouse for a few days and then take the train home from there:
https:/
(There are also flights from Toulouse to Manchester, with FlyBe).
Out of that lot I'd probably opt for Toulouse, as it's highly recommended as a place to visit and I tend to enjoy exploring cities (rather than smaller places). I've also been to Paris plenty of times but never to Toulouse.
If you can firm up your plans a bit (so that I know exactly where it is that you want to go), I'll be available to help you sort out any details if you need me.
Please don't hunt me down and kill me, but we've decided now that were not going to go to the wedding. It's a LOT of expense and as OH pointed out it, what we would likely spend, would pay for one of our much longed for cruise tickets. It is quite likely that we will make the trip down there another time but will probably go by car.
A huge thank you to all who replied to me, especially Chris.
A huge thank you to all who replied to me, especially Chris.
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