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 | Paris Trains: SNCF, TGV, etc. Reviews | Tips 31 - 40 of 203 |  |
The Basilique du Sacre Caeur is a Paris 'must see'. You can read more about it on our tip Basilique du Sacre Caeur :) This train is more a shuttle than anything else... for the young and the old and those just too lazy to walk up the hill to the Basilique du Sacre Caeur! We didnt use it as we are young and fit (lol) and plus it cost 5 euros EACH for a one way trip...so is a bit of a tourist trap we thought! Leave a Comment |
We took the train from Brussels to Paris. It was a "very fast train" and only took about 1.5 hours. The train was great, very clean and smooth.
Then from Paris we took an over night train to Barcelona (and back) which took around 12 hours (we had to stop on the border both times). Those trains weren't the nicest but we did manage to get some sleep in out couchette beds. Leave a Comment Theme: Train |
Check out the site, it's not so fab and the info is not always that great unless you can read French...whether it be Eurostar, Thalys or TGV you will have to deal with the SNCF. Les cheminots as we say in French.
In Zola's Rougon-Macquart series this is where you would find Jacques Lantier son of Gervaise Macquart (L'Assommoir) and Auguste Lantier, brother to Claude (l'Oevure), Etienne (Germinal) and half brother to Anna Coupeau (Nana), you simply must read Zola's novel "La Bete Humaine" when you travel by train. If only to pass time when they are on strike.
It is only so fitting that Jacques was a "cheminot" on the route from Paris to Le Havre, in my Normandy... |
In March 2001 I rode my first Eurostar or Chunnel as it sometimes popularly called. I found round-trip airfare thru Travelocity for $378 Cincinnati/London and paid RT $158 via Eurostar London/Paris. I learned that the total was definitely cheaper than flying directly to Paris and got to see 2 cities to boot!
I rode the Eurostar from city center of London (Waterloo Station) to city center of Paris (Gare du Nord) & then back. There were plenty of seats to choose from and I just took one from wherever. It didn't seem to make a difference. However, I did ride the Eurostar in March which is low season so maybe it might be more crowded during the time you'll be traveling.
Also, you might consider the time you save in getting taking the Eurostar. In the time you've take a train to the airport, go thru security, board the plane, fly, go thru customs on the other end, grab your luggage you could have just taken a train & it would have been cheaper.
Plus, taking the train you get to see the lovely countryside of France. And the thrill of arriving in Paris is just amazing!
UPDATE:
This past trip I captured a photo of the trains snaking into Gare du Nord from behind the station on boulevard de la Chapelle, which borders between the 18th & 10th arrondissements (3rd photo).
Photos: February 3006 & November 2007 Leave a Comment |
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The Gare du nord is nowadays the Parisien terminus of the Eurostar trains coming in from London.
The station has also recieved a 'makeover' in the last few years. Just consider these lines from a travel writer in the Guardian newspaper : "Arriving at the Gare du Nord by métro in the early '80's, was like ascending from a colorful coal mine to a dark hanger, full of smoke."
Few people hand around the place when coming or going, but it is worth looking at the Facade of the building which feature nine statues symbolising Nine Northern French towns or cities that can be reached from this station.
I also like the 'atmosphere' of the departure board, with destinations listed right across Northern Europe - London, Germany, Holland and even up to the Scandanavian countries.
A boring, ultilitarian name for a station it might be - but it does exactly what it says on the tin ! Leave a Comment Theme: Train |
As the Park is very large and getting from one section to the other can be quite a walk, there is a welcome train that runs around the circumferance of the Park, that you can hop onto for free (price is included in your entrance ticket), and you can clamber on board at Frontierland Station and climb off at Discoveryland Station!
The train is old fashioned, is made up with the usual exquisite detail found elsewhere in the Park, and is very enjoyable to go on. Leave a Comment |
From London, the Eurostar is definitely the most convenient way to get to Paris/Brussels.
It takes roughly 2.5 hours and is usually very prompt, well staffed and the carriages are in mint condition.
Prices start at 85 euros for a return. Leave a Comment |
There are 6 train stations in Paris each serving different areas.
Gare du Nord serves Britain, Holland, Belgium and Hamburg (Germany)
Gare de L'est serves Eastern France, Germany, Switzerland and Eastern Europe.
Gare d'Austerlitz is for trains to Central France and Spain.
Gare de Lyon is for La Riveria, Italy and South East France.
Gare Montparnasse serves Western France and Spain. Finally Gare St Lazare is for Normandy. Leave a Comment Theme: Train |
The Mobilis is a one-day ticket that allows unlimited travel on the Metro, RER, bus, RATP, ADATRIF, APTR, and SNCF suburban network. It excludes the Orlybus, Orlyval, Roissybus, Roissyrail and Orlyrail.
Mobilis one day pass
Zones Price
1 - 2 5.00 euro
1 - 3 6.70 euro
1 - 4 8.50 euro
1 - 5 11.70 euro
1 - 6 14.90 euro
1 - 7 16.45 euro
1 - 8 17.95 euro
Current as at 28/04/04 Leave a Comment Theme: Subway/Metro |
There are six train stations in Paris:
Gare du Nord
Gare de l'Est
Gare d' Austerlitz
Gare de Lyon
Gare Montparnasse
Gare Saint Lazare
The station you will arrive at will depend on the country you came from. Each station has it's interesting points and offer many products/services that will be useful. A locker to hold baggage, restaurants or stalls for food and drinks, souvenir kiosks and even a place to buy asprin or cold remedies. I suggest your first purchase could be a good Metro map.
While traveling from or to Paris consider The FAST train!
Normally it takes about four hours to get from Brussels to Paris by train. The fast train--Thyls--takes only one hour twenty minutes!
Makes even a day trip from Brussels to Paris a feasible plan. Such a smooth ride, one would never guess the speed of travel to be 200 miles per hour! The real advantage to this fast train is that either going to or leaving from Paris, your choice of day trips is extended due to reduced travel time.
This is a photo of an SNCB train pointed in the direction of Paris from Brussels and believe me that was a great weekend! Leave a Comment |
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