3togo

I have been trying to become familiar with the TGV-europe.com website in readiness to book a train from Chamonix to Paris on May 25.

I realise that bookings may not have opened yet for that date, but, when practicing booking I noticed I could put in later dates for eg St Gervais les Bains to Paris rather than Chamonix to Paris and get results up to about the 11th May, (Chamonix to Paris only up until around 30 March).
Any suggestions? Am I not understanding something?

I just want to understand the site more fully so I can book ahead to get a cheaper ticket.

3togo

thursdaysd

It says reservations for that date are not yet available. What's not to understand?

parisian

From Chamonix, you have to take the "local mountain" train down to Saint Gervais. It takes around 30 min

The main train line starts from Saint Gervais. So, if you wish to practice the booking procedure, what you are doing currently is OK.

Taking into account the duration of the transfer from Chamonix, I would suggest you look for departure time from St Gervais after 11am

3togo

Thanks for your reply thursdaysd.

Thanks Parisian - I will keep checking.

3togo

3togo

Just to let you know what happened re: booking tickets from Chamonix to Paris

Tried to book thru TGV-europe with my CC. Tried 4 times, 2 different CC's. Kept receiving a rejected msge and to contact my bank.

All good on my bank's end but still TGV-europe would not allow transaction.

Contacted TGV-europe by email and they indicated to wait 24 hours and try again.
Also, some posters mentioned ticking boxes with only online eticket or pick up at ticket counter, instead of posting out, so I tried that too. So, after 4 fruitless attempts & 2 CC's later, TGV-europe said contact by phone to book.

I did but they said if I can't book online then can't book over phone either, same system.

The lovely lady with beautiful french accent said that due to some sort of security measures on TGV-europe website (SNCF)it will not accept Australian CC no.s or certain other CC's as well.

All my practicing was not completely wasted. I contacted Mark at seat61.com and he suggested two other websites to try.

I tried Capitainetrain.com and success!!

About the same prices as TGV-europe too!!

(Doesn't offer privacy area for 1st class couchettes on a night train that I could see like tgv-europe does- (so I will keep the extra 40euros and think about that later.)

Also, had to book a train for the Sunday 26th May, nothing showed up for Saturday 25th on any website I tried.

TGV-europe answered my email enquiring if it is possible that there would be nothing available on tgv-europe website for a train on sat 25th while there is on friday and the sunday either side of it, with ,it was not reasonable and to try a connection via martigny, switzerland. (not exactly sure what they meant- even though martigny sounds lovely- didn't want to do that)

So, in conclusion, the sad thing is we will have to stay an extra night in Chamonix and take a night train on Sunday 26th.

I can live with that!!

Thanks again for your help TA especially Parisian.

3togo

theotherside

Interesting you mentioned tgv-europe will not accept Australian credit cards; I purchased tickets 2 weeks ago from Australia without a problem on two different occasions. Would be interested to know if this is something only new in the last few weeks!