denisea

Quick question...we bought TGV tickets through Capitaine train (which is super easy to use without all the hassle of the official French site if you are American and don't read French). We got PDFs of our tickets and have printed them but we also got etickets which I downloaded to my iPhone.

I have not used the train system recently and remember needing validate tickets when boarding. So, can you use the e ticket barcode to board or do you have to use the printed tickets?

Michael

PREM tickets good only for a specific day and specific train do not need to be validated. Tickets printed from a home ticket will not fit in the validating machines anyway.

denisea

Exactly what I was thinking about the home printed ticket not fitting. They are PREMS and what you said makes perfect sense...thank you (very speedy reply).

Southam

The electronic tickets may be scrutized on board by train staff. It is possible that the conductor will also ask for entity proof, i.e. your passport. It's always a good idea to carry the credit card used for payment although it's not likely to be requested on the train.

MaineGG

Here's the SNCF information about various ticket types:

http://www.sncf.com/en/services/tickets-bookings

The conductor will be able to scan the QR code on your printed E-Tickets or from your phone.

historytraveler

As Southam and Maine stated the conductor will just scan the tickets. Also used Captained train. Great site.

denisea

Great info everyone....can't speak enough French to argue with the conductor, so great to know how it works. Capitaine is awesome. I had researched seat61's info on how to get instructions in English but choosing a county that wouldn't divery you to Rail Europe but Capitaine is just too easy to bother with SNCF.

Christina

It doesn't make any sense to validate a ticket that is a piece of paper you print off yourself and could make a zillino copies of.

grandmere

Just got back from France 10 days ago, and the conductors scanned the PREM tix, but did not bother to look at our passports although we did present them.

denisea

Thanks, grandmere. I am sure they only ask for your passport when you don't have it with you.