Trying to get to the Loire by train with a 4 year old

wibs

Hi

Long time observer but never posted before but need your help.

After a long custody battle I have managed to stop my ex moving abroad to the States with my daughter. :D I am the Father by the way.

Consequently I am financially wiped out and mentally cream crackered!

However, my parents and sister have booked a holiday in the Loire and have said they will pay my accommodation and food etc if I can get me and my daughter there. I would love to go as it would be my first holiday with my daughter and in all honesty it would be lovely to be away from London for a week with her.

I've sold several things on ebay, and have managed to rustle up approx £250 been trying to work out the best way to do it and I dont think there are any flights to Tours Airport on my dates 10th to 17th August

Driving is a no no as I'm not sure my car would survive, so I presume train is best option. But unsure the best way to go about it, whether to book Eurostar now or wait, then how to get from Paris to Loire.

Do I do the whole trip in one or should I buy a separate Paris to Tours ticket when I get there for me and my daughter.
Do I purchase now or wait till right beforehand?

Any tips in cutting cost would be hugely appreciated. GEnuinely.

And I just would love to be able to tell her not only are we going on a holiday with Grandma and Grandpa, but we are going on a train under the sea!

thanks for any help :):):A:A:A

cte1111

Where do you live, e.g. where is your nearest airport / station?

cte1111

You could get flights from Stansted to Tours on August 11th, returning 16th for £267.80. That was with Ryan Air.

I wouldn't fancy a long train journey with a 4 year old personally and would go through all the flying options first.

dannny_2

wibs wrote: »

Any tips in cutting cost would be hugely appreciated.

Bus to Paris then on to Tours. They used to do a direct service between london/Tours many years ago. (eurolines)

Its only 160 odd miles from Caen to Tours after a ferry crossing. Roads are long and straight!

Train to Paris then on to Tours. TGV is quick (non TGV was a pain as it was stopping at almost every place en-route, but tickets were cheaper).

richardw

Crossing Paris with a young child can be a pain, so the train isn't that easy.

Btw BA fly LCY to Angers and city jet to Nantes.

Where in the Loire Valley do you want to get to?

cte1111

Have you looked at the prices for the Eurostar on your dates? It's coming up at £269 for the London - Paris Eurostar trip on the dates you mentioned. Not sure if anyone knows any way to get a discount on these?

dannny_2

richardw wrote: »

Btw BA fly LCY to Angers and city jet to Nantes.

Off in the wrong direction as hes going to Tours seemingly.

WestonDave

I'm sure you've already got it covered but if you are planning on taking your daughter abroad off the back of a custody battle, I'd get permission to take her out of the UK in writing before you expend any more money!

richardw

dannny wrote: »

Off in the wrong direction as hes going to Tours seemingly.

The OP's destination is actually "Loire Valley" which can include ANE, NTE, PIS and TUF airports.

peachyprice

London to Tours 10/08/13 - Tours to London 18/08/10 £274.00


London St Pancras Int'l to Paris Gare Du Nord
Eurostar
Departs 07:31 on Sat, 10 Aug
Arrives 10:47 on Sat, 10 Aug
Standard Non Flexible
Change station (86 mins)
Paris Montparnasse to Tours Station
SNCF
Departs 12:13 on Sat, 10 Aug
Arrives 13:28 on Sat, 10 Aug
Standard Non Flexible
1 x adult (£109.50)£109.501 x child (£40.00)£40.00
Total travelling time 5hr 47 mins

Tours Station to Paris Montparnasse
SNCF
Departs 11:32 on Sat, 17 Aug
Arrives 12:49 on Sat, 17 Aug
Standard Non Flexible
Change station (144 mins)
Paris Gare Du Nord to London St Pancras Int'l
Eurostar
Departs 15:13 on Sat, 17 Aug
Arrives 16:39 on Sat, 17 Aug
Standard Non Flexible
1 x adult (£84.50)£84.501 x child (£40.00)£40.00
Total travelling time 6hr 7mins

total:£274.00

If you do your homework crossing Paris with a 4yo is no worse than negotiating airports with one, it's one Metro direct from Gare du Nord to your connecting station Gare Montparnasse.

As long as you take plenty for her to too it should be a breeze, you'll have reserved seats and you'll be able to get up and walk around. I'd rather a train for that length of time than a plane.

dannny_2

richardw wrote: »

The OP's destination is actually "Loire Valley" which can include ANE, NTE, PIS and TUF airports.

The Loire valley is nearly 300km in length, and as hes already looked at flights to Tours.....

wibs wrote: »

I dont think there are any flights to Tours Airport on my dates