Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
After the non-refundable rates are sold out, you can buy other fare types on the
French site only if you have set up the “Verified by Visa” or “MasterCard SecureCode”
program for your USA credit card. Otherwise, US customers have to order from Rail
Europe (
www.raileurope.com
)
, which offers both etickets and home delivery, but doesn't
have access to some of the cheapest rates.
InFrance,youcanbuyticketsatSNCFBoutiques(smalltravelagencieslocatedcon-
veniently in the city center). If you need to get a ticket at the station, buy it from a staffed
ticket window or from a machine (pay in cash as US credit cards normally do not work).
Youcanbuyticketsonthetrainfora€4-10surchargedependingonthelengthofyourtrip,
but you must find the conductor immediately upon boarding; otherwise it's a €35 minim-
um charge.
Train-Ticket Machines
The ticket machines available at most stations are great time-savers for short trips when
ticketwindowlinesarelong.Themachineswon'tacceptyourAmericancreditcardunless
it has a chip, so you'll need euro coins instead. Some machines have English instructions,
but for those that don't, here is what you are prompted to do. (The default is usually what
you want; turn the dial or move the cursor to your choice, and press
“Validez”
to agree to
each step.)
1.
Quelle est votre destination?
(What's your destination?)
2.
Billet Plein Tarif
(Full-fare ticket—yes for most.)
3.
1ère ou 2ème
(First or second class; normally second is fine.)
4.
Aller simple ou aller-retour?
(One-way or round-trip?)
5.
Prix en Euro
(The price should be shown if you get this far.)
Reservations
Reservations are required for any TGV train,
couchettes
(sleeping berths) on night trains,
andsomeothertrainswhenindicatedintimetables.Youcanreserveanytrainatanystation
(providing it's more than three days until your departure) or through SNCF Boutiques
(small offices in city centers). If you're buying a point-to-point ticket for a TGV train,
you'll reserve your seat when you purchase your ticket.
Fast and popular TGV trains usually fill up quickly, making it a challenge to get re-
servations (particularly for railpass-holders, who are allocated a very limited number of
seats). It's wise to book well ahead for any TGV, especially on the busy Paris-Avignon-
Nice line. Reservations cost €3 on top of the cost of a ticket or a France Railpass (more
during busy periods, $11 if booked in the US). If you've got a multi-country railpass,
they're $21. (If passholder reservations are sold out at the $11 rate, France Railpass hold-
