Train from CDG Airport (Paris) to Gran Montparnasse (to catch train to Bayonne)

[SallyJane]

Does anyone have experience with this train trip?

I arrive at CDG Airport at 7.35 in the morning. I've looked at my airlines on-time arrival history and at times they have arrived as late as 8.45am. So I have to plan around a delayed arrival as a worst case scenario. I've factored in an hour and a half to get through the airport and get a train from the airport to Montparnasse station about 10.30am.

From there I wanted to catch the train to Bayonne at 12.15pm

The question and confusion I have is one website is saying the trip from the airport to Mon...train station can take over 2 hours whereas the train website journey planner says the trip takes one hour including a train change.

This is important info because it determines if I book the 12.15pm train or the train about 2pm.

Does anyone know how long the train trip from the airport actually is?
Many thanks.

 

[naplesdon]

Besides taking a taxi if you are pressed for time, there are two means of public transit. The RER and the metro which requires one change and a bus at the end of T2 (I think?) that goes directly to Gare Montparnasse. I have a similar connection at the end of April and I plan to take the bus, I have never had an issue getting to the noon train headed to Biarritz. It usually give me time to buy a sandwich and drink for the trip, too.

 

[Grousedoctor]

The RER and metro trip from CDG to Gare Montparnasse won’t take more than an hour. The advantage to this way is that you avoid morning traffic which buses or taxis will encounter. However, I have taken the bus into the city in the morning with no major difficulties. You should have no problem catching the noon train.

 

[Barbara]

12:38 to Massy TGV arrive 13:34
Then 14:18 to Dax arrive 17:30
17 :44 to Bayonne
Arrive 18:27
No need to go via Paris and your flight can be as late as it wants. Get some food, relax, Dax is a small station and you will easily make that connection.

 

[Kathar1na]

2:38 to Roissy TGV arrive 13:34

I think that you meant train from CdG to Massy TGV train station?

@SallyJane, you have the choice between the two options described: from CdG through Paris first by RER train and then by metro to Gare Montparnasse, or from CdG by TGV train to Massy TGV station, avoiding crossing through Paris.

I'd just like to add one thing: journey time from CdG to Montparnasse is indeed around 60 minutes. However, I remember that the first time that I did this or a similar trip, it took me longer than the second and subsequent times, because the first time I needed longer to figure out how and where to buy train and metro tickets in Paris, which stairs and corridors and directions I had to take in the various stations and so on because everything was unfamiliar. However, I cannot say how much this added to my journey time through Paris.

 

[Barbara]

I think that you meant train from CdG to Massy TGV train station?

@SallyJane, you have the choice between the two options described: from CdG through Paris first by RER train and then by metro to Gare Montparnasse, or from CdG by TGV train to Massy TGV station, avoiding crossing through Paris.

I'd just like to add one thing: journey time from CdG to Montparnasse is indeed around 60 minutes. However, I remember that the first time that I did this or a similar trip, it took me longer than the second and subsequent times, because the first time I needed longer to figure out how and where to buy train and metro tickets in Paris, which stairs and corridors and directions I had to take in the various stations and so on because everything was unfamiliar. However, I cannot say how much this added to my journey time through Paris.

Yes, sorry. Massy TGV

 

[naplesdon]

I am going to agree to disagree with Grousedoctor for some of the same reason Kathar1na brought up. If you are not familiar with the Paris metro there are someplace on that underground trip that are confusing and require buying tickets to change services. Admittedly the Le Bus can get jammed up in morning traffic but it still is just one ticket and one stop from when you leave the airport. I saw some other comments about spending time in Paris and given the rigors of your long journey that might be a good idea. If you have any travel disruptions from Thailand then a night to refresh in Paris with a good meal and a new day to start on the train to Bayonne would be a good idea. I live near Bayonne and it is a fantastic place to visit but if you can catch the train from Bayonne to SJPdP, I would do that. At that point you can stay a night in SJPdP and know exactly what date to reserve at Orrison.
FYI, I have already purchased my first class train ticket from the Train app to Biarritz on 21 April because I have done this trip before and gone to the train station without a ticket and found myself standing in the second class car most of the trip.

 

[Former member 92300]

The train usually takes about 1 hour from CDG to Montparnasse. Theoretically - you should have plenty of time. That said - I tend to want to play it safe and have a little more play room for any plane delays, if you are checking baggage - there could be baggage delays, and then of course there could be customs/immigration delays. And then there can be navigation confusion - especially if it is your first time navigating CDG and/or Paris. If you don't want to reserve a room in SJPDP - you would need to be on the earlier train to have a greater change of finding a bed. If you do reserve a room/bed - then you can take the later train, have a more leisurely lunch in Paris, and not worry about the possibility of missing a train. But again - if you DO book the earlier time - I do think you have plenty of time. Your choice!

 

[jrewins]

FWIW, I booked the complete train trip from CDG TO Bayonne through the SNCF website. It includes both trains and I was able to reserve seats. The train departs CDG ~12:10. My flight is supposed to arrive 9:30, so if I’m able to clear C&E quickly, I’ll try to find a train office, someone who speaks English, and see If there is a faster connection If not, I’ll just enjoy the hospitality of CDG airport for a few hours.

 

[Former member 92300]

FWIW, I booked the complete train trip from CDG TO Bayonne through the SNCF website. It includes both trains and I was able to reserve seats. The train departs CDG ~12:10. My flight is supposed to arrive 9:30, so if I’m able to clear C&E quickly, I’ll try to find a train office, someone who speaks English, and see If there is a faster connection If not, I’ll just enjoy the hospitality of CDG airport for a few hours.

Just so you know - if you pull up google maps while at the airport and ask for directions to Gare Montparnasse - it will give you all the transportation options - train and bus, the times that are coming up for those routes, directions on which trains to take, and how long each direction option will take you to get to your destination. It is pretty simple. Usually I can even get directions while in the airport to get through the airport. I always have my maps open at new airports in foreign countries (in the US I just follow signs). You would just need to find the kiosk for the train tickets - but the directions usually take you directly past the kiosks. I don't recall if they had a manned train information booth at CDG - I don't remember seeing anything except the kiosks to buy the tickets.