Taking a Train from London to Limoges

[Martin963]

Some friends are planning to come and see us (in 24) this summer but wish to travel by train.     I have absolutely no idea what to recommend that they should do in terms of booking such a trip,  and would be grateful for any advice you lot can offer!

They would be able to get (by train) to London by 10.00 am,   and as their final destination is Limoges this would seem to leave a good margin of time for the journey.    We can see (via the internet) a train that gets into Limoges (direct from Paris) at about 20.30 which would be fine;   I'm assuming that even with the hour-jump they could be in Paris by say 14.00 which gives them time to take "ligne 13" from the Gare du Nord to the Gare d'Austerlitz.

As this is their first time outside the UK since 1972 should they simply go to a travel agent and get them to do it all?   I think that they would want to be sure of seats for example.   The wife is over 60,  can she get any sort of discount?

Unfortunately their (BT!) Broadband connection is totally unreliable and they are not in any case experienced internautes.   In my turn I know nothing about train bookings and am loathe (I'm afraid) to try and do it for them and then get the blame when they end up stranded somewhere!

But if it's really simple to do and would save money then obviously we should find a way between us to "cut out" the travel agent and book it ourselves.

Many thanks to anyone who can point us in the right direction.

[cooperlola]

A travel agent or a main line station will do this - many of the latter have travel offices which are by far the best bet as they're rail travel specialists.  All TGV and Eurostar seats are reserved.  She may get a discount for her age, but the travel centre at the station will know - she may need to hold an OAP rail card.

[Russethouse]

Have they got a large local railway station ? I live fairly close to Reading and they have a section where you go and discuss your requirements, best deals etc, for longer journeys normally.........perhaps they have a largish local station within reach that offers similar?

I have done the trip from Reading to Quimper -my tip is that if they have to cross Paris to change stations they should allow plenty of time -

[Anton Redman]

You cannot book on the site below, but you can research connections. They quote 55 minutes for Nord to Austerlitz in Paris. I have not looked at transitting Marne La Vallee (AKA EuroDisney) but Lille has a 10 minute walk for Lille Eurostar to Lille Europe and is worth considering as it is a lot less stressful to transfer.

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en?newrequest=yes&protocol=http:&

[cooperlola]

Anton's got a point.  Although I always cross Paris, my 83 year old mum did the Lille version - much more straight forward for the less frequent rail traveller!

[Cendrillon]

Seniors do not need a special card to get a discount on Fr. trains which I think entitles them to 1/3rd off but with a Fr. senior rail card the discount is even more.

if they come via Paris advise them to take a taxi from Gare du nord to Austerlitz, not that expensive and for two people with luggage, well worth it. They join the official taxi queue outside the staion, even if it looks "long" it moves pretty quickly.

 

Timings: in the past I have left Waterloo at 08.30 and arrived at Limoges by late afternoon, Austerlitz to Limoges is not the fastest of trains. I expect timings from the new St Pancras station will be similar.

[Judith]

[quote user="cooperlola"]Anton's got a point.  Although I always cross Paris, my 83 year old mum did the Lille version - much more straight forward for the less frequent rail traveller![/quote]

I have said this before - I always go via Lille, much easier, no change of station, and no struggle with the metro.  And you only need allow 15 mins change if you know what you are doing, though I would always recommend longer, so yuo don't need to rush.  The only time I went to Paris to connect to an RER station I had to change stations, find my way thorugh the metro, and then find my way through another station, all the while lugging the luggage beind me.  Too many steps and turntiles for me!  Don't know how frequent the services to Limoges are from Lille, or if they serve it all, it may just be one of those that goes from Paris. But for first timers I would avoid Paris like the plague, it will add considerably to the stress and hassle factor.

As for booking online, the first time is the worst, and you do need a reliable and relatively speedy connection or it times itself out.  I booked for my next trip (next week) by going to St Pancras and getting Eurostar to do it for me, so it may also be worth looking at what they can do for you (telephone rather than call as I presume you are not in London!).  I also believe Rail Euorpe will take telephone bookings (for a fee).  But if I were you I would try your local travel agent, or larger railway station first.

Travelling by rail in France is good and much less stressful than travelling in the UK, and as someone said, your ticket comes with a reserved seat, so no standing allowed (in theory!) I have always found people very helpful in finding the right seat, helping with luggage etc.  You may also find, depending on how early you book, that you can travel first class for only a few euros more than second.  Whilst there is no problem with second, you get much more space in first, and for a long journey it is good to be able to spread out at little. 

[Russethouse]

 I have tried the traveling via Lille option  on the web site but both my proposed destinations were to the West - it didn't work at all, so I guess it depends very much on your destination.

[Martin963]

Thanks to ALL who have contributed so helpfully.

I was initially seduced by the idea of our friends changing at Lille,   but I don't think it works for Limoges;   it isn't really entirely clear from the German website that Anton recommended (although in every other respect it's excellent) but it looks as though the Paris Metro is still involved.

I'll tell our friends to go off to a travel centre or agent.

[Benjamin]

I know they want to travel by train, but is flying not an option?

[cooperlola]

Then I'd be inclined to splash out on a cab for crossing Paris - worth a few extra euros to be hassle free, imo.  Beats the 'plane any day - but then I'm ex railway so I guess I'm biased.  At least you don't have to worry about what's in your bloomin' luggage!

[Martin963]

Well it is an option of course for most,   it's just our friends are adamant that they don't want to!

I haven't flown since 1997 and have no desire to either.   It's just "one of those things" I suppose.

[Russethouse]

Martin, I took a taxi ! Worth every cent ( can't remember how much, but certainly reasonable) the taxi's are clearly marked and organised, your friends wouldn't have to go onto the street looking for one. However it still took about 45 minutes because of the traffic so worth not cutting it too fine.

[Martin963]

I think the taxi advice is excellent.    As it's a one-off trip it's hardly an extravagance.    And whilst the habituées of metro travel would think it daft not to use it that's because they are habituée,  not novices.

[Russethouse]

All I can say is that Will had kindly posted instructions for the metro etc but also warned that it was a decent walk,  I was travelling alone and had a largish case, taxi was easy........

[Anton Redman]

Thanks to ALL who have contributed so helpfully.

I was initially seduced by the idea of our friends changing at Lille,   but I don't think it works for Limoges;   it isn't really entirely clear from the German website that Anton recommended (although in every other respect it's excellent) but it looks as though the Paris Metro is still involved.

I'll tell our friends to go off to a travel centre or agent.

Set the time of travel to tommorrow at 7 am.  There are at least two connections a day when you do not have to change at Paris. If you cloick on details this will show the additional information

[Anton Redman]

Thanks to ALL who have contributed so helpfully.

I was initially seduced by the idea of our friends changing at Lille,   but I don't think it works for Limoges;   it isn't really entirely clear from the German website that Anton recommended (although in every other respect it's excellent) but it looks as though the Paris Metro is still involved.

I'll tell our friends to go off to a travel centre or agent.

Set the time of travel to tommorrow at 7 am.  There is at least one connections a day when you do not have to change at Paris. If you click on details this will show the additional information

[Martin963]

I'm being very stupid here Anton but can't see the "details" that you've mentioned,   can't see (at the moment) how you tell where the "change" takes place.

Could you guide me a bit further please...?

[Anton Redman]

There is an onscreen small arrow with 'List all details' text below is for the one connection the site lists sorry it is unformatted :

London St. Pancras International  Tu, 11.03.08  dep  14:34      EST 9138 EUROSTAR

Subject to compulsory reservation, Special ticket or supplement required, Please observe check-in times, Non-smoker train, Bistro Cafe

Lille Europe Eurostar  Tu, 11.03.08  arr  16:54    

Lille Europe Eurostar  Tu, 11.03.08            walk 10 min. 

Lille Europe  Tu, 11.03.08          

Lille Europe  Tu, 11.03.08  dep  18:15      TGV 5298

TGV 5299 TGV

Subject to compulsory reservation, Global price, Bar coach, space for wheelchairs

Runs as TGV 5298 up to Juvisy, then as TGV 5299

Limoges-Benedictins  Tu, 11.03.08  arr  23:09    

However if you search for London to Lille you get :

8:53 arrives 11:24 , 10:00 arrives 12:24

If you then search for Lille to Limoges

13:29 arrives 19:16

Which is direct without Paris changes or the tripto Lille Flaunders

 

 

 

[Anton Redman]

When you have the screen up which shows the journey times in the bottom row there are two red arrows :

Left hand side 'List the details' ( click on this one and there are full details of walking time between stations on which tranfers to use)

Centre 'Later'

 

[Martin963]

I'm now with you Anton,   I've got a list all details arrow which has achieved the desired result.

Thanks,   sorry to be so idiotic.

[Anton Redman]

Glad you arrived. I find it the best of a bad job when it comes to searching.