Provence by train?

August 2, 2010 5:48 AM

TravelFilter: French Public Transport advice. I'm flying into Marseille MP2 airport and need to find my way to Carpentras near Avignon to meet some friends. I'd prefer not to hire a car as I won't need it while there. My firends might be able to pick me up in Avignon but would be good to get all the way to Carpentras if easy enough (and cheap).

The friends are not locals so probably don't know.

posted by mary8nne to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

The shortest way is: Shuttle from MP2 to Marseille train station; then TGV from Marseille to Avignon; then a bus from Avignon to Carpentras. Total should be about 1-2h travel.

There are also busses between Marseille and Avignon, but then the travel duration is extended by 2-3 hours more.

Depending on the period when you're traveling, you may want to book your train ticket in advance (http://www.voyages-sncf.com/) to be sure to get your preferred schedule.
posted by knz at 6:01 AM on August 2, 2010

This link is a PDF schedule of the (very frequent) Avignon-Carpentras/Carpentras-Avignon bus service.

This page tells you how to get to Avignon from the airport in Marseilles.
posted by mdonley at 6:01 AM on August 2, 2010

Maybe there is a direct TGV from MP2 to Avignon, but you would need to check on the aforementioned web site.
posted by knz at 6:02 AM on August 2, 2010

Best answer: There seems to actually be a direct a bus from Marseille to Carpentras

posted by spaghettification at 6:10 AM on August 2, 2010

Just a head's up, the times in spaghettification's link are from 2009. Regional bus times change at least once a year; plus it's vacation season here, which means regional bus hours are reduced.

Furthermore, having lived 10 years in Southern France, I can assure you that the TGV is much more comfortable than a bus in hot summer weather - go for knz's recommendation.
posted by fraula at 6:32 AM on August 2, 2010

Response by poster: The Bus from Marseille looks like ti takes only 2 hours to Carpentras. (are these Air-Conditioned buses do you think?)

Is the regional train to Avignon going to be cheaper than the TGV?
posted by mary8nne at 7:09 AM on August 2, 2010

Response by poster: On a releated note: would anyone recommend spending an afternoon / evening in Marseille before heading to Carpentras or just goign directly to Carpentras?

I've travelled a bit in France but not Marseille. So can mumble a few basic phrases in french and read a menu (for the most part) is it a waste not to sepnd the afternoon there?
posted by mary8nne at 7:11 AM on August 2, 2010

Best answer: slightly more up to date schedule (the times weren't changed as far as I can tell). The bus costs 14.70 €. If you decide to do this, you should reserve your tickets here. The buses on the website look like they should be air-conditioned, but I couldn't find any explicit mention.

Note you'll still have to find a way to get from the Marseille airport to the bus station, but that should be much simpler.

And yes, the TGV will be more comfortable, only a bit more expensive, but then you also have to figure out the transfer in Avignon. This could help if that's what you decide to do. The buses are in sync with the TGV's from Paris, so it'll be either a 10 minute transfer or a 45 minute wait in the train station.
posted by spaghettification at 11:15 AM on August 2, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks, I think I might take the TGV and then the bus - or have my friends colelct me in Avignon
posted by mary8nne at 2:08 AM on August 3, 2010