Train home after the Classic

[TheDeadPrussian]

Post the Le Mans Classic I am heading off on a bit of a ‘hoon’ with a few friends down in to the Alps and then back home via the ‘Ring and Spa (to watch a friend racing in the British GT Championship).

However, I need to get my wife back to the UK on Monday 7 July as she needs to return to work – how easy is the journey home on the train? I’m thinking Le Mans to Paris and then Eurostar to London. Has anyone done this or is a flight out of CDG the easier option?

[Printertosh]

Train is easiest is you go via Lille. 2 trains daily go to Le Mans so guess a couple return the same way. At Lille you just leave platform and wait until the connecting Eurostar arrives then go back down to platform. There's shops for refreshments in the main part of station which is above the platforms with large departure boards showing train times and platform number.

Another option is Ryanair to Stansted from Tours which was very easy as well.

[E36GUY]

Trains from Le Mans to Paris are now down to a hour.

[allojon]

Yes, but why would you want to cross Paris when you only cross a platform at Lille.

[williamp]

Raileurope.co.uk has times, prices etc

[lowdrag]

The Lille route is the best, but please check the availability of connecting trains. I looked a month back and there were but two slots without a humungous wait at Lille.

[Printertosh]

Yes, i had a quick look and it looks like getting to Le Mans via Lille is better than returning. Looks like there's only 1 or 2 trains. 1 at 7.30am and both with 80-90 min wait at Lille. In which case the 50 min wait at Paris in which time you can transfer from one station to the other might be a better option. Also Paris route will have more daily trains.

[TheDeadPrussian]

Thanks for the responses chaps. I’ve tried to book via the SNCF website, but it says I am too early!

[lowdrag]

IIRC, the maximum is three months.

[Printertosh]

You should be able to book at about 11pm uk time on Monday 7th April but might be midnight due to BST. My mate booked the other day at 11.15pm & it appears prices do fluctuate. It was showing £83 when it 1st came available and think he paid that but now its only £50!