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

richardw

dannny wrote: »

.... hes already looked at flights to Tours.....

Yes, I did read that. I didn't read "will only consider flights to TUF".

dannny_2

richardw wrote: »

Yes, I did read that. I didn't read "will only consider flights to TUF".

So, if hes on a budget you intended to fly him to Angers, west to Nantes, then get him to go east to Tours.

The question was imprecise, but not without clues.

richardw

dannny wrote: »

... you intended to fly him to Angers, west to Nantes, then get him to go east to Tours.

No my posts do not say that.

My posts are just airport suggestions for consideration by the OP based on the clue "Loire Valley".

wibs

MAssive thanks for all your hel;p so far.

I don't want you to fall out over it though!

More precise location is

Nearest Town Parçay-les-Pins - 2 kms (approx)
Nearest Airport Tours - More than 30 kms (approx)
Nearest Ferry Port Le Havre - More than 30 kms (approx)

Nearest large town is Saumur

Some more info:

I have permission to take my daughter for the week so that isnt a problem.

I live near SLough so J6 of M4 v near Heathrow

I think Train is probably best option as I want to make full use of the week rather than fly and lose a couple of days

I think my main concern is Eurostar and is there a best time to book. Costs quoted seem horribly high!

Coach is an idea I hadnt thought of, possibly get a coach to france then train from calais to Saumur or Loire?

I lived in Paris briefly in early 90's and can get by in French so not particularly daunted by crossing Paris on the Metro with my daughter.

Thanks again for any input :T

mcfisco

You should be able to get the Portsmouth - Le Havre ferry as foot passengers for ~£100 all in.
You'd obviously need reasonable connections at either end though.

richardw

Have you got any Avios or unused tesco clubcard vouchers?

dannny_2

wibs wrote: »

Nearest large town is Saumur......

Saumur is easily got to by train. Getting from there to Parçay-les-Pins could be a problem.

Last time I had to get people to a gite in that part of France I picked them up by car from Tours and drove them.

Also, be aware of the difference between Joue-lès-Tours and Tours when catching a train.

knightstyle

ask on the expat sites for a lift in exchange for a contribution?

peachyprice

wibs wrote: »

I think my main concern is Eurostar and is there a best time to book. Costs quoted seem horribly high!

I thought £276, all in, was quite reasonable for fares during school holidays, in three weeks time

Funky_Bold_Ribena

wibs wrote: »

MAssive thanks for all your hel;p so far.

I don't want you to fall out over it though!

More precise location is

Nearest Town Parçay-les-Pins - 2 kms (approx)
Nearest Airport Tours - More than 30 kms (approx)
Nearest Ferry Port Le Havre - More than 30 kms (approx)

Nearest large town is Saumur

Some more info:

I have permission to take my daughter for the week so that isnt a problem.

I live near SLough so J6 of M4 v near Heathrow

I think Train is probably best option as I want to make full use of the week rather than fly and lose a couple of days

I think my main concern is Eurostar and is there a best time to book. Costs quoted seem horribly high!

Coach is an idea I hadnt thought of, possibly get a coach to france then train from calais to Saumur or Loire?

I lived in Paris briefly in early 90's and can get by in French so not particularly daunted by crossing Paris on the Metro with my daughter.

Thanks again for any input :T

I don't understand why flying means you would lose a couple of days.

Last year I flew from East Mids at 8 and was in the centre of La Rochelle in 3 hours having a coffee and it only cost about £30 each way.