The TGV known as the high speed trains used in France. With speed of up to 200mph, it makes it easy and convenient to travel around France. A TGV train station is conveniently located in the center of terminal 2 in Charles de Gaulle airport. After you picked up your luggage, follow the signs SNCF or Gare SNCF. Should you need to catch up on sleep or just a little extra time to recharge, you can step into the Sheraton hotel right above, the only hotel built directly in the terminal.
It is best to purchase TGV tickets on-line as early as 3 month in advance to save time and money. SNCF has flexible and discounted pricing for early bookings.
SNCF’s friendly user site is www.tgv-europe.com . If you book from North America, sncf wants you to book with Rail Europe, its North American agent, but you may be missing specials and pay commission. You can bypass that by clicking on Canada or U.k as country of residence and continue to book your tickets in euros. Do not forget to request that you want E-tickets, which you print out at home.
Attention: make sure you book the right train stations Roisssy CDG and Avignon TGV As TGVs often arrive in their own train stations.
Seats: All seats are by reservation and the trains are non-smoking.
2nd class seats are comfortable. They have a drop down tables big enough for laptops (face to back seats). Some have fixed tables (face to face seats) .you can choose isle or window. Some trains are duplex and you will see choices of upper deck isle or window.
1st class seats offer the same seating with some upgrades like power points for lap tops and mobiles with European style two pin sockets. There are luggage racks above the seats and at the end of the car for larger items. Here, you can be more specific with the seats. Two seats facing each other called dual face to face. Four seats around table called club four, two seats side by side facing seat backs in front called dual side by side, ad a single seat facing a seat back called solo.
Café -Bar- Most TGVs have a café-bar serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and few hot dishes. The café-bar is located in the center of the train, between the first and second class cars.
Check in : Since you have printed your E-ticket, you don’t have to stand in line at the counter or at the vending machines.
The TGV waiting area at Roissy airport has a large board as well as few TV screens for departure times and track numbers.. There is also a waiting room which is more quiet and has a Wi-Fi connection (not free). In order not to get confused, look only for your train number, not the destination. Trains show the last stop.
Many times, the track number for your train will show up on the screen only 15-10 minutes before departure. Find your track number for boarding. Since you have printed your E-ticket, you do not need to stamp your tickets when boarding. (That is a yellow machine located at the entrance of the track. Normally a failure to do so results in a fine on board the train). Locate the approximate position of the car number on the electronic board on the track. You find the car number on your ticket under voiture. The car number will also be listed on the side of the train near the doors. Entering the correct car will avoid carrying your luggage through train corridors.
See you in Provence!
