Okay, let me tell you about sorting out that trip between Nantes and Marseille. It wasn’t exactly rocket science, but it took a bit of figuring out, you know?
Getting Started: The Idea
So, the plan was simple: get from Nantes down to Marseille. Had some time off, felt like seeing a different part of the country. Marseille sounded like a good bet, totally different vibe from Nantes. First thing I did was just check the distance, get a feel for how far it really was. It’s a fair old way, gotta say.
Looking at Options
Right, next step was figuring out how to get there. I looked into a few things:
- Driving: Thought about it for a second. But honestly, the drive looked long, like really long. Plus, tolls, fuel, parking in Marseille… seemed like a hassle, especially on my own. Nah, decided against it pretty quick.
- Flying: Checked flights too. There were some, yeah, but when you add getting to the airport in Nantes, waiting around, then getting from Marseille airport into the city… it didn’t feel much faster than the train, and probably more stressful.
- Train: This seemed like the best bet. Looked like there were direct high-speed trains (TGV, they call ’em). Seemed comfortable, straightforward. Less faffing about than flying.
So, the train it was. Seemed the most practical way to do it without tearing my hair out.
Booking the Train Ticket
Went online to the train company’s site. It was okay, mostly clear. Found the direct TGV options. The prices varied quite a bit depending on the day and time, as you’d expect. I wasn’t super flexible, needed specific dates, so I just grabbed one that worked. The booking process itself was fine, standard stuff – pick seats, pay up. Got the e-ticket on my phone straight away, which was handy.
One thing I learned: booking a bit in advance probably saves you some cash. I didn’t book super early, but wasn’t last minute either. Looked like waiting till the day before would have cost a fair bit more.
The Journey Itself
On the day, I got to Nantes station with plenty of time. Found the platform easily enough. The train arrived pretty much on time. Got on, found my seat. It was comfy enough, standard TGV carriage.
The journey itself was… long. Can’t lie about that. It’s several hours. But it was smooth. Watched the scenery change out the window, which was nice for a bit. Listened to some music, read a book. They have a buffet car onboard, grabbed a coffee and a sandwich at some point. Nothing fancy, but did the job.
The train made a few stops along the way, but mostly just powered through. No major delays or anything, which was good. Just settled in for the ride.
Arriving in Marseille
Finally pulled into Marseille Saint-Charles station. Stepping off the train, you definitely feel you’re somewhere different. The air felt warmer, the light seemed brighter. The station itself is quite impressive, sits up high overlooking the city.
Finding my way out and towards where I was staying was the next step. Took a few minutes to get my bearings, but managed it okay. Just followed the signs for the metro.
Final Thoughts
So yeah, that was my trip from Nantes to Marseille. Took the train, booked it online, sat on it for hours, and got there. Pretty straightforward really. Driving would’ve been tiring, flying probably more hassle. The train was just the easiest, most sensible option for me. Long journey, yeah, but you just sit back and let it happen. Got me from A to B without any drama, and that’s what I needed.
