Howdy! For those who don't know/remember me,I'm a pretty average 17year old(how I do sell myself)fro...
Howdy! For those who don't know/remember me,I'm a pretty average 17year old(how I do sell myself)from Newcastle with an uncharacteristic passion for writing and reviewing...that kind of malarkey.I'm on here on/off throughout the ages.
Member since:12.09.2002
Reviews:37
Members who trust:30
I was using the TGV as a quick method of getting Marseille to Lille in just a few hours, without having to fly. From Lille I would change to Eurostar (see my op 'Why We're Going Off Eurostar') and from London I would change to GNER to Newcastle (see my forthcoming op) The options of getting to the south of France without driving are; flying, getting the 'Motorail' (sleeping on a train with uncomfortable beds while it cruises up France) or theTGV. With flying you have to check in at the Airport spend a couple of hours waiting and then have to endure a flight, plus I hate flying. On Motorail you have to sleep overnight (time wasting), but with the TGV you just need to have a ticket ready, step onboard and off you go, speeding through France on one of the fastest trains in the world.
- TGV Background Information -
TGV is basically a high-speed rail network set up by the French national rail company S.N.C.F. At the moment it only operates in France but SNCF hope to have it in Italy, Belgium, Holland and other European countries by 2020. There are 2 types of TGV trains. The original 80s' trains, with their square and blocky interiors that inspired the interiors of Eurostar trains, and the new, double-decker trains. The trains are also extremely fast. They have their own purpose built lines to carry them at fast speeds. One minute you're looking at hilltop towns in Provence, the next you're striking past the vineyards of Burgundy. The connection to Marseille St. Charles Gare only opened in 2001, so stations between Marseille and Euro Disney are all modern and flash looking.
- My TGV Experience -
Boarding TGV is simple. Just go to the station with your ticket (or buy one while your there) Put your ticket in this machine that clips a corner off to show you're going on a train, find the right platform, and get on. Seats are comfy and adjustable (unlike any English trains) so you can snuggle down an
d do what you like. A word of warning, though. It would be advisable to buy a baguette or something at the station, because from the small selection of sandwiches and snacks they are supposed to have, they frequently only have a few items, and it's drab and tasteless anyway. You should be all right with drinks though. The buffet service IS NOT service with a smile. Workers looked like they wanted to spit at you before you even say anything. A bit of disappointment considering everything else is top-notch. Trains don't stop in stations for very long so make sure when you're getting on/off you have all luggage and the correct people with you. All TGV stations have lifts to street-level, so if you have disabled people or heavy luggage, you should be OK there.
- Conclusion -
TGV is much better than anything Britain has to other, including Eurostar. This is because there is a lot of funding going into improving all French lines to high-speed links. So if you're in France and want to get somewhere fast - use the TGV!
You're quite right, I haven't included a price. This is largely due to the fact I am 14 and did not pay for the journey. Sorry.
I moved this op from my dooyoo account, monkfeesh, just in case you thought I nicked it!
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Advantages: You can buy a car or use the busing system instead at least Disadvantages: Cost, Smells, Locations, Strikes, Foul People, Unreliable, everything that could go wrong w/ a tra
Advantages: You can buy a car or use the busing system instead at least Disadvantages: Cost, Smells, Locations, Strikes, Foul People, Unreliable, everything that could go wrong w/ a tra
Nov 5th, 2002
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