Why take the Gare de Tours?
During longer trains trips throughout Europe, it’s nice to upgrade to first class if your budget allows. However, if you are based in the Loire Valley and using the Gare de Tours train station while visiting local castles (like Chenonceau and Amboise), there’s no reason to upgrade your ticket. The trains are clean, fast, and you gain very little from sitting in first.
If you stay in Tours (which I highly recommend for convenience), trains are always on time out of the Gare de Tours. Make sure to arrive a few minutes early, because in my experience, these trains are always on time.
Ideal blend of form and function.
The Gare de Tours is a particularly beautiful station that blends form with function. I remember the first time I pulled into this station after arriving from seeing Paris landmarks. Something about it looked magical, and I continue to be beguiled by this beauty of engineering. The station’s architecture is steeped in history, and it is really gorgeous to walk through it.
Brush up on your French.
There is pretty much no English, but I found staffers here to be helpful if you are confused about what to purchase. Tickets are inexpensive, and someone is usually walking around who is willing to help. Additionally, you can purchase tickets on the day of your train trip, but the station is in town, so it’s easy enough to duck in and purchase tickets ahead of time. Of course, you can also buy tickets online, but it doesn’t tend to be a requirement at this station.
Also, most European trains will make announcements in their native tongue first and then make announcements in English. This does not happen much in France, and not at all in the Loire Valley. So, brush up on your French or prepare to be confused a lot. Honestly, both work.
