 Poster: A snowHead
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Two of us will be travelling to Chamonix over Xmas for London. We're booked on Eurostar to Paris where we change to an overnight train with couchette to Chamonix.
In Paris, we have to transfer from Gare du Nord where the Eurostar drops us off to the Gare D'Austerlitz for the overnight train.
Any advice on this - e.g. would the Metro or a Taxi be better?
We will have full ski luggage incl. ski bags etc.
Thanks
BrightonSki 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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BrightonSki, it's a doddle to get the metro to Austerlitz - one line, about 9 stops. Only problem is stairs but it's not so bad.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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When you buy the Metro ticket on the way there, get the return at the same time. Just saves the bother on the way back
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Come off the Eurostar platform, turn left, go down an escalator when you see it (slightly to your right) keep on going straight ahead and you come to Ligne 5.
9 stops down that and just after you cross the river, you're at Gare d'Austerlitz.
There are maybe 20 steps to descend at Gare du Nord and about 40 to descend at Gare d'Austerlitz. Obviously these 40 steps are going up on the way home but at Gare du Nord there's an escalator in that direction.
There's a left luggage office at G d'A where for about 7.5eu you can leave your bags for up to 24hrs. Useful if you want to go to dinner or even spend a day in Paris baggage free.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thank you 
How long is the journey on the Metro? I think we've got about an hour spare to make the connection.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Easy peasy - about 20mins usually.
You'll probably find time to get a take away on the way through.
Check your tickets and note the Train Number.
There are sometimes 2 sleeper trains leaving at the same time to the same destination, obviously only one will be yours.
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Fantastic responses ... Thank you 
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The taxi alternative is quite expensive and you might have too long a wait for the taxi (the queue is often huge, especially after a Eurostar gets in - could be as much as 45 minutes) so I reckon a taxi might be cutting it scarily fine if this is the case. A taxi would probably be no quicker anyway.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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How easy would it be, on one's own, to take a ski bag and one wheeled bag on the metro?
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The metro is appallingly designed for anyone carrying more than a beret and a baguette- few escalators, ticket gates that Kate Moss would struggle to squeeze through and often there aren't even any of the luggage gates to slide your ski bag, etc through.
That said, whilst it's a bit of a struggle to get to and from the metro trains, the journey between the stations is pretty quick and painless with no/ minimal changes to get to gare d'austerlitz or gare de lyon. Taxis are few and far between, the queues for them long and the Parisian traffic pretty bad at most times of day.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Great advice, thanks. We're going to try train to Andorra and this is going to be the same cross Paris trip, complete with kids, luggage, boots, skis, board etc.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Oh, one more thing to add, avoid rush hour (i.e. 8.30am-9.30am and 5.30pm-7.30pm on week days) at all costs. The trains are completely rammed (possiblly worse so than London) and there's no way you'll get on with kids, baggage, kitchen sink, etc. On my way home from work last week a fight erupted (fists flying everywhere) over the last square inch of spare space.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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What makes it difficult to sleep in the couchettes?
Noise?
Temperature?
Uncomfortable bunks?
Any advice appreciated.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I found it was people entering in the middle of the night and turning the light on; a blindfold and earplugs essential. The trains rock and roll a bit too and this doesn't help. Temperature was fine on my last journey and the bunks aren't particularly comfortable but OK. I like the top bunk for least disturbance.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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What's the luggage space like on the train?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
Taxis are few and far between, the queues for them long and the Parisian traffic pretty bad at most times of day.
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Right on. The only time we did this, we had loads of time, and started on the bus, to see a bit more. Then after the bus had sat stationary for quite a long time, near a metro station, we jumped off the bus and dived underground.
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What's the luggage space like on the train?
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Tight, or very tight, depending on how many of you there are in the couchette. Ours was full, other 4 people pleasant young Italians who just wanted to sleep. So we had a peaceful night (this wasn't the Tour Operator train for brain-dead boozers), passed in very close proximity to our baggage. I found a rucksack with folded ski jacket on top made quite a useful pillow. 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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BrightonSki, I second everything that's been said about taking the metro, by far the easiest option, but be warned it's strike time in France and particularly Paris at the moment and it was chaos on the trains 10 days ago  , hopefully tho you won't catch a strike day. Good luck!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thirded (or Nth'ed by now). The Metro seems (from our admittedly small experience) to be excellent as far as escalators and lifts go. You sometimes have to look around a bit to find the lift (usually a glass box at the end of the platform) if there isn't an escalator, but although it's flagged for wheelchairs and pushchairs no-one seems to object to their being used by people whose only problem is that their luggage capacity exceeds their musculature. Actually, if you compare the London Underground from the point of view of a disabled user you have to cringe.
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However, in case the above sounds too gloomy, lying horizontal all night is infinitely preferable to sitting up on a coach, the ordinary train or a flight to North America. Just be prepared to get more intimate than usual with your skis. And it's stupendous to wake up (probably about 25 minutes after you've fallen asleep) in the mountains.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Jane L wrote: |
| Great advice, thanks. We're going to try train to Andorra and this is going to be the same cross Paris trip, complete with kids, luggage, boots, skis, board etc. |
Rather you than me!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I often have problems getting to sleep normally, but usually sleep reasonably OK on the train. Also I've never had people coming in at later stations on the way out and certainly not drunk ones - I'm quite surprised about that as I've done this about 8 or 10 times.
If it is possible to choose your bunk when you book ask for a low one as it can be too hot on top and the French like it hotter (hotter than I want anyway). Once you get to the train, however, take the bunk you were allocated since I find the French sometimes insist on the one on their ticket and get you to move.
There is the possibility of booking a taxi from England but I think it is the larger, more luxurious type and costs a fair bit more.
Actual cost of the train is more but you get 2 more days of skiing so it is easily worth it.
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Tue 9-12-08 10:28; edited 1 time in total
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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BrightonSki, To save a bit of time & queues at Gare du Nord, you can buy a carnet of metro tickets at St Pancras before you leave England.
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In January I am looking at travelling by train by day - since airports have become such a hassle. I rarely sleep well on a train overnight.
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You know it makes sense.
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achilles, what is the point - it is cheaper to fly - and you don't get the two extra days of skiing which is, surely, the point of the train.
As has been said on other threads, you need to buy tickets the day they become available as there are a few hundred (roughly) half price tickets, but these sell out quickly.
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Tue 9-12-08 10:08; edited 1 time in total
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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I've done the the charter sleeper service from Gare du Nord several times and always had a reasonably good trip down to the Alps, but I think I would be reluctant to do it if travelling by myself or just as a couple. If you know everyone in your cabin it is easier to organise the limited storage space (floor space underneath the 2 bottom bunks, large shelf above and behind the door), and people are more prepared to make compromises. Although I'm a light sleeper I've always had enough sleep to justify the two extra days skiing. The trip back can be a bit depressing, but a shower at Gare di Nord and petit déjeuner in a nearby cafe perks me up in time for the rather more civilised Eurostar back to London. For two extra day's skiing I'd say it's definitely worth putting up with the inconveniences of the sleeper service.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| snowball wrote: |
| achilles, what is the point - it is cheaper to fly |
If booking in advance I usually find it works out about the same, especially if going to a resort close to the station: You save hugely on transfers.
Of course I have the advantage of being (relatively) near St Pancras to start with...
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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The train I took was not the TO charter. On the way back I had an entire compartment of 6 bunks to myself (hubby having gone home to cope with an emergency). Sitting up all night sucks.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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pam w, yes I agree - not the TO charter which has a disco carriage and people clumping up and down and talking loudly all night.
Wabbey, yes, I suppose if you get the cheap tickets it might not be very different - I don't know the transfer cost for flying because the few times I flew it was with a TO and that was included.
When I used to do the train 20 years ago with TOs it was slightly cheaper than flying - but flying has got cheaper.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| snowball wrote: |
| achilles, what is the point - it is cheaper to fly - |
Really? Even when you take into account the cost of getting to the airport, more expensive transfers at the other end, the cost of checking in extra bags and skis on budget airlines, etc, etc?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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snowball, I just find the whole airport thing tiring and degrading, and am not too bothered about the cost, even if it is greater. The biggest hassle looks to me the cross-Paris thing. The rest of the trip could be very relaxing. I wonder if it is possible to change at Lille - will check.
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achilles, is it possible to book a seat on the chartered snowtrain service? That leaves from Gare du Nord, so need need to transfer across Paris to Austerlitz.
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rob@rar, Thanks, I'll think about it. I'll be going to Grenoble, so the TGV is attractive - and I have now found that, if I can time my Eurostar right, there are direct TGV trains from Lille to Grenoble.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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achilles, if you travel on daytime TGVs it is but you'll still have to change at Lyon for a regional train, so you won't gain anything and the journey would be more of a hassle.
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achilles, I agree with you re DAY time train travel. Mrs Axs and I did the train Journey to Wengen for the last MSB and although it involved quite a few changes (about 6 as I recall) the relaxation and comfort of the train was far more pleasant than the airport hassles and delays. It was also nice to see the countryside rather than just the clouds.
It's just the overnight train journey that I detest. I don't see the benefit of having two extra days on the slopes if you spend the first one (and the one after you get back) completely knackered!
(Personally If I want two extra days on the slopes, I'll fly out a day early, and back a day late  )
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