Luggage

Not having ridden on a train for about 25 years, a couple of things have just occurred to me.

When we board the RER at CDG, what do we do with our cases?

Also, does the same apply to the TGV?

We have printed TGV tickets, when do we hand these over? Prior to boarding the train or when asked by a conductor during the journey?

Off in two days. Thanks so much to everyone who has helped so much.

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On the RER you just keep the luggage at your feet or you can heft them above your head on luggage racks. Look for the express train into Paris that makes fewer stops. There are less passengers on these trains so more room for luggage and you dont have people coming and going all the time so the ride is more comfortable. The times savings on the express trains is negligable, its more about comfort. To tell if its an express train just look above your head on the platform, if the first stop after CDG 1 or Parc des expositions is Gare du Nord , then it is express. IF all stops are lit then it is a local service train.

On the TGV you will have room at the end of the cars for your luggage as well as in the middle of the car. If it is a single deck TGV you can put smaller bags on the rack above your head. On double deck TGV you can only put personal items on the rack above your head.

You will keep your ticket, they may look at it before you get on the train at the head of the platform, or they may look at it on the train itself after the ride has begun, or both.

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Also, on the TGV your ticket will tell you which car and seat you have. Then you can check the board on the platform to find the appropximate location where that car will be when the train stops (so you don%26#39;t have to run the length of the train with your bags to get to the right car!).

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%26quot;We have printed TGV tickets, when do we hand these over? Prior to boarding the train or when asked by a conductor during the journey?%26quot;

Be careful, you will have to validate your TGV tickets before going on the train: you will find machines that punch the tickets at the beginning of the quay.

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I took the iDTGV first class two weeks ago. Can only fit small items at your feet and above. Any larger suitcases are placed on designated racks. There were four areas per side of the car.

BTW, Morgan, thanks for your writeup on using the SNCF website. We saved a bundle of money and never wouldve known how to navigate it otherwise.

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Lui1: Glad you found it useful!

You only have to validate tickets that came from the SNCF via mail or at a ticket window/ticket machine. If you printed them at home there is no validation, just get on the train.

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You people are priceless!! Despite being very well travelled around the UK and Asia, Europe is a totally unknown quantity to us - feel very much comfortable now. Can%26#39;t say thanks enough.

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