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BETS--Putting People on the Right Track Since 1978! 800-441-9413; 800-441-2387;
in KS & MO, 877-441-2103
France Flexipass
This pass provides 3 to 9 days of unlimited
rail travel to be used anytime over 1 month on the French national railway system. French
trains are among the best in Europe, with service being frequent, punctual and fast. And none are faster than the TGVs
that travel up to 200 mph on routes out of Paris to many places, such as Nice, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Geneva, Brussels,
Amsterdam and London. If you're focusing only on France, the France Flexipass is a true bargain when compared
to point-to-point tickets; but a direct comparison is difficult because France uses a market-based pricing system for
point-to-point rail tickets, where there is a range of fares for any particular route with peak-time trains costing
more (sometimes considerably more) than off-peak ones. Further complicating the calculation, many of the cheapest French
rail tickets have advance purchase requirements (usually 14 to 30 days). But unless just doing a day trip out of Paris
or a few short trips, the France Flexipass will usually be cheaper than any tickets whether bought here or in France.
In fact, even if you are taking as few as two long train rides, the France Flexipass may save you money. A striking example
is the 5.5 hour train ride from Paris to Nice on the French Riviera; the 3-day 1st-class France Flexipass is actually
cheaper than nearly all 2nd-class round-trip rail tickets. And if you can use the third rail day, the deal is even
better! Certainly, if you are planning on taking two long-distance train
rides or more, or three 2-hour rides or more, buy the France Flexipass. Even if point-to-point tickets are somewhat cheaper
than the railpass, the pass allows flexibility, with changes to schedules and routes possible, something that is not
possible at all on any of the cheaper French rail tickets.
Inexpensive Splurge
As there is only about a $12 per day price difference between 1st-class and 2nd-class France Flexipasses,
treat yourself to 1st class -- if traveling as a couple, you can reserve two plush seats facing each other across a small
table, where each of you will have an aisle and a large picture window to view the scenery. In addition, as you have much
more personal space, it is easier to store luggage right at your seat. If traveling in a party of four, you can
reserve Club 4 seating, where your seats are also arranged around a table with a large picture window.
Seat Reservations
Seat reservations are required on all high-speed TGV trains,
on many regular intercity trains and most international trains. On regional and local trains, reservations are not needed.
Reservations can be made up to 90 days before the train departure date at a small extra fee for railpass holders. The reservations
can be done in Europe right up to the departure time, but should be done as early as possible for popular routes or times
as the number of seats for railpass holders is limited and can sell out. If you need to be on a particular train or don't
want to waste valuable vacation time standing around French train stations, we recommend making them before you leave for
Europe. (Call BETS for seat reservations: for all travelers buying their railpass or point-to-point tickets from us,
we do all of the work, getting you the best seats available--all you have to do is show up before the train departs.)
Questions About Rail Travel in France ?
Talk to a Real Person !
Before buying your France Flexipass, talk to one of our rail experts
about your French itinerary to make sure you make the most of your precious vacation time and get the right pass for
your trip. Our rail consultants have traveled extensively in France.
For Info or To Order Your France Flexipass
Just call BETS!
Call 800-441-9413 or 800-441-2387
(in KS & MO, call 877-441-2103)
9am-5pm Mon-Fri (Eastern Time)
2008 France Flexipass Prices
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Adult*
Single Traveler
1st Class
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Adult*
Single Traveler
2nd Class
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Saver**
2-5 Adults
1st Class
(Price/Adult)
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Saver**
2-5 Adults
2nd Class
(Price/Adult)
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Senior
Age: 60+
1st Class
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Youth***
Ages 12-25
2nd Class
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* Children under 12: half single adult fare -- under 4: free.
** Price is per person based on two or more people traveling together; children 4-11:
half Saverpass fare.
*** Youthpass is also available in 1st class at 25% off corresponding 1st-class single adult traveler rate.
Pass must be validated within 6 months of purchase. Prices are in U.S. dollars, and are subject to change
due to fluctuations in the dollar to euro exchange rate.
For
many "France" is only Paris. But Europe's largest country is a lot more than just the sights of Paris -- its
real beauty lies in the bucolic countryside punctuated by crumbling orange-roofed villages lost in time. France, the country,
like Paris, is not to be missed. Unfortunately, most tourists are able to go to France for only a week or two, and yet there
are a year's worth of places to visit. With this in mind, this two-week circular trip, will give you an
introduction -- but just an introduction -- to regional France. This itinerary is designed to take you, with
short and easy train rides, to French cities and villages that still retain much of the look of your imagination
-- historic old towns of twisting narrow streets inside medieval walls. From Paris, modern, comfortable TGV
trains, traveling at nearly 190 mph, take you to the walled city of Avignon with its famous 14th-century Palace of the
Popes; to Carcassonne, often called the world's most impressive fortified medieval town, with its double defensive walls
and 52 towers dating from the 13th century; to Toulouse, a city of unique regional architecture, which serves
as a base to visit Albi or Lourdes; to Tours, a university town in the Loire Valley that makes a good base to explore
the many nearby chateaux before returning to Paris.
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Sightseeing
Day Trip to Arles
Day Trip to Nimes (add 1 day)
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Train to Toulouse*
* If wishing to go the French Riviera, Nice makes a good base to explore the surrounding Mediterranean villages
and beaches, including Monaco and Cannes (both 30 min from Nice). A local rail service (valid with railpass) runs frequently
to all towns along the coast. Add in 2-3 days.
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Day Trip to Carcassonne
Day Trip to Albi or
Lourdes (if doing both, add 1 day)
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Day Trip to Chateau de Chenonceau Or you can train to Blois (40 min), rent a bike and enjoy a leisurely 10-mile cycle ride through
the Forest of Chambord to the Chateau de Chambord, which along with Chenonceau is the consensus most spectacular
chateau.
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Other Passes
for France
If traveling to another country besides France, one of the following railpasses may be the best ticket for you: France
& Italy; France & Spain; France & Germany; France & Benelux; France &
Switzerland; Eurail Global; or Eurail Select. Call BETS for prices and details.
Have questions? Just call BETS!
Our rail experts will gladly help you find the perfect railpass for
your itinerary.
Call 800-441-9413 or 800-441-2387
(in KS & MO, call 877-441-2103)
For Your Information Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is connected
to the Gare du Nord rail station in central Paris by Line B of the RER (Rapid Area Transport
System; 35 mins; 4 trains/hr). Due to often congested road conditions, this is usually the quickest way to cover
the 15-mile distance from the airport into Paris. From the Gare du Nord, located in the north part of Paris, it is only
a short cab or Metro ride (usually no more than 2 miles) to most Paris hotels. Cost of this RER rail ticket is about
$12; railpasses are valid on this line to the Gare du Nord rail station. There is a RER station in Terminal 2 (Air France
terminal); but from Terminal 1, you must take the free CDGVAL shuttle, an automatic light rail line, to
the RER station. Connections from Charles de Gaulle Airport
to other parts of France: There is a TGV rail station at the airport (in Terminal 2; need to take the
automated shuttle from Terminal 1), from which you can take direct high-speed TGV trains to Lyon (2 hrs); Avignon (3
hrs); Aix-en-Provence (3.5 hrs); Marseille (4 hrs); and Nice (5 hrs). There are also direct trains to St. Pierre-des-Corp,
near Tours and the Loire Valley (2 hrs); Bordeaux (4.25 hrs); Nantes (3 hrs); Rennes (3 hrs); Strasbourg (2.5 hrs);
and Lille (50 mins). There are also direct trains to Brussels (1.5 hrs). Paris to Italy: Many travelers ask us about rail service from Paris to Italy. There are
two daily night trains from Paris: the first departs Paris at 7pm and arrives in Florence at 7:16am the next day and terminates
in Rome at 9:50am; the second departs Paris at 8:28pm and arrives in Milan at 5:38am the next day and terminates in Venice
at 9:28am. Sleeper compartments consist of singles, doubles, triples and 4- or 6-person couchettes. These trains are often
sold out, especially around holidays and in the summer months, and should be booked as early as possible (up to 90 days in
advance). People with railpasses only pay the sleeper supplement.
Call BETS to book or for more information. Also there are three daily trains from Paris to Milan departing
at 8:04am, 2:14pm and 3:50pm, and arriving at 2:50pm, 9:20pm and 10:50pm respectively. Seat reservations are required. Despite
the overall time of this trip, this is an enjoyable ride as it takes you through much scenic French countryside
and via the French Alps into Italy to Turin and on to Milan. At Milan there is hourly train service
to Venice (3 hrs), Florence (3 hrs), Lake Como (40 mins), Cinque Terre (3 hrs; change in Genoa) and Rome (4.5
hrs).
Paris Day Trip to Versailles:
There are three rail/RER stations in Versailles. The Rive Gauche Station is the closest to the chateau
(less than one-half mile) and is served by RER Line C5 from central Paris about every 15 minutes. The other two stations are
just under a mile from the chateau: Chantiers Station is served frequently by both RER (Line C8) and national
rail (from Montparnasse Station in Paris); and Rive Droite Station is connected to St. Lazare Station in Paris by
national rail about every 15 minutes. Railpasses are valid on all services, but the ticket costs only about $5 each
way. RER Line C runs through central Paris along the Left Bank of the Seine (south side of the river) and can be boarded
at any Left Bank RER station. As RER Line C has several branches, you need to pay attention to which RER C you are getting
on: Branches C5 and C8 both go to Versailles, but C5 takes you closer to the chateau entrance. Paris Day Trip to Giverny & Monet's Gardens: Train 1 hr to Vernon (from St. Lazare
Station in Paris), from where you can take a bus (meets most trains) or taxi the 4 miles to the gardens that were the
inspiration for many of Monet's impressionistic works including his famous Water Lily series. Paris Day Trip to Chartres: Only one hour from Paris (Montparnasse Station),
Chartres is in its own right a charming French village, but is most famous for its magnificent 12th-century Gothic cathedral
and its sublime "Chartres blue" stained-glass windows considered to be the most extraordinary medieval
windows ever crafted. Paris Day Trip to Reims and/or Épernay:
Both are easily reached from Paris Est Station (Reims, 45 mins by high-speed train; Épernay, 1 hr 20 mins by local
train). Reims is noted for its cathedral, the traditional coronation site of the French kings, and its champagne tours. Most
of the famous champagne houses offer guided visits through the chalk caves to see how the precious bubbly is made. Nearby
Épernay is home to several of the most prestigious houses, such as Moët & Chandon. As frequent local trains
connect Reims and Épernay (25mins), ambitious people can combine both cities in a single day trip.
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