I'm wondering how easy it is to transfer in Paris to central train station, seems cost is same to fly within France but travelling by train would be a treat in itself. Thank you !
Depending on when your flight lands and what day, you may be able to catch a TGV directly from CDG to Bordeaux, then onward to Bayonne. This does not always work well, and you wind up having to overnight in Bordeaux or Bayonne. To complicate matters for a Planner, the train schedules are only solid three months ahead of time. That is the earliest you can buy TGV tickets.
To get to Montparnasse TGV station in Paris ( where the trains to the South West leave from), and then take the TGV to Bayonne onto SJPP, you have choices. The easiest and most expensive way is a taxi! No local would do that though, unless you are a group. Le Bus Direct operates frequent busses from CDG to Montparnasse (and Orly airport), and is also easy but only 12 euros. The fastest way is how a local would do it, by taking the RER B to the Montparnasse station. Its also the most complicated to figure out, as the RER system is the local regional transit and not well set up for tourists. That said, its how I do it.
Oh, and a Pro-tip for buying either bus or RER tickets: your credit card will not work in either of the ticket vending machines. Make sure you have Euros so you can pay cash.
As others have suggested, consider overnighting in Paris. If you are a veteran traveler and know how your body reacts to jet lag, by all means, do as you please. If this is your fist overseas trip though, plan to get off the plane, and take the RER or Bus into Paris to Montparnasse where your nearby hotel is waiting for you. There is a range of hotel choices around the station within a few blocks. Plan to walk, you are a pilgrim after all. Don't be afraid to buy a TGV ticket for 7:00 am the next morning.....these are invariably the cheapest, and you'll be awake!
Final point as you consider fly vs train. The plane is quicker (2 hours vs 5 on the train), but the train is a walk-up-and-get-on affair, versus getting to an airport, security, bag check, queuing for boarding, waiting for takeoff, waiting to deplane, etc,etc. In elapsed time for this trip, the train is likely faster. You can also pick up a picnic lunch the day before at a grocery store in Paris, including wine if so inclined, and make an event of it.
Oh yes, getting home should also be considered. As others have said, Porto is an excellent choice, but connections back to Vancouver will need to be considered. While Toronto looks like its on the way home, it really is not and adds to your travel time. Since you don't really know when you will get to Santiago, expect 1-5 days at the end of "slack" time. Don't be so sure that you know what your plans will be at the end as things have a way of changing along The Way. I usually catch a flight back to Paris on a ticket bought the week before when my plans became clear. Once from Santiago, once from Porto, and once from San Sebastion. You'll have to overnight in Paris once again, but for me thats part of the bonus. Pay attention when buying your ticket back to Paris, most of them go to Orly rather than CDG, so you need to catch a bus to CDG for the return flight.
Buen Camino
!
