Molloy95

Maybe I'm just a dummy -- but I'm having a problem. I'm trying to check out fares for Roissy (CDG) to Montpellier for September 3. I have checked the schedules and there is are several, some direct. When I plug in my date, then it says: "There are no outbound trains after those displayed below, in the timeband that you have indicated." And there are none posted below. Does that mean that EVERY seat is sold for a Sunday train more than 90 days out? Or have I just done something wrong? Am I missing something. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

indytravel

No dummy Molloy95, SNCF doesn't explain it very well. SNCF only allows you to book tickets out 90 days. You're just a little early.

It will show you the schedule beyond 90 days, just no purchases.

Honestly mark your calendar for 90 days and check the day of. I've had Prem fares slip through my fingers as I debated for an hour 90 days out.

Maribel

HI Molloy,
This just happened to me when I tried to book the return Biarritz-Paris more than 90 days out. I could book the Paris-Biarritz, but since the return was 16 days later, I was too early. Forgot about that minor detail. As indytravel says, just mark it on your calendar-the magic 90 day limit.

indytravel

Maribel mentioned roundtrip. There really isn't a price break with SNCF for booking round trip. If you need RT, book the first half 90 days out, then a few days later book the return. If you wait until the entire itinerary is available you might lose out.

DeborahAnn

Molly, something that I have been doing. In order to know the times there will PROBABLY be trains is to check the same day of the week that you will be traveling as far out as you can go.

I was looking at August 18 and have been checking for a month or so on the the SNCF site for the latest Friday for Lyon to Paris. When my 90 days came up this week I knew what a good price would be and booked it. Not very scientific but I know I got a price and seat I can live with.

Hope you can understand the method of my madness Good luck. Deborah

Molloy95

Thanks to all of you. I'm just anxious to book for this trip, obviously! I feel a lot better now.

Maribel -- always great to see you posting here. (Regular Spanish posters/readers will understand this. I recently suggested to someone looking for a Barca restaurant to consult your guides w/o seeing that you had already posted to the message with an informed response.)

I wait . . . I wait . . . and I'm glad as always to have the Fodorites to advise me. Thanks again . . . .

Now, if I could just pick a place to stay in Languedoc . . . Pezenas, anyone?

Maribel

Hi Molloy95,
Yes, as indytravel says, there's no price break that I can see to a round trip.
I've now finished my 2 separate purchases of a Paris-Biarritz, Biarritz-Paris with Prems fares both ways and have printed my tickets. I purchased the first leg then waited impatiently for those magic 90 days out to do the return. Mission accomplished!

I really enjoyed my stay in the Languedoc-Rousillon . We spent lots of time exploring the Cathar country, French Catalonia (Cerdanya) and the hidden villages (Eyne, LLo) in the Pyrenees.
We started in Collioure on the Cote Vermeille and made our way up to Narbonne, then slowly west over toToulouse (Cuz Toulza). It's beautiful countryside! I'm saving Montpellier and environs for our next trip. I'll be eager to hear about your adventures. Lucky you!

I hope to see you in K.C. in the very near future, and thanks so much for your welcome back!

MorganB

Hi Molly, looks like all your questions have been covered. There is a price break for round trip but on the higher Discovery Stay fare. Prems are much cheaper and you will be able to get those booking 90 days out as others have suggested.