katzen

I'm getting ready to purchase tickets from Strasbourg to Avignon TGV.

Departing at 08h33 and arriving at 14h36. TGV 5405 Direct.

For 2 passengers the price is 132 and for 1st class for 2 passengers the price is 128. The seats that are showing for the 2 tickets for 1st class is:

Coach 2 - Seat 11
Coach 2 - Seat 14.

I'm assuming these two seats are not tear to each other?

Also, is Strasbourg Station the main train station in Strasbourg, France? I think it is but would like to confirm before purchasing tickets.

I also read on another post that the TGVs have "upper deck" seating. How do we go about getting this or is it luck of the draw? Are these good seats?

I hope to hear some feedback as I'd like to purchase my tickets tonight. Thank you for the help!!!

katzen

It might help if I gave you the date. August 13, 2006
Thanks!!

katzen

I also noted on MorganB's thread which has been very very helpful ... that if you use Safari (mac users) then it's best to download mozilla? I do have a MAC which uses Safari. I wanted to confirm that was true. If so, I will have to wait until tomorrow to print my tickets.

Thanks!

katzen

Is there a difference between Strasbourg Gare and Strasbourg Station? It seems the TGV is Strasbourg Station and all other trains show up under Strasbourg Gare. I want to make sure I have the correct train station in Strasbourg.

Anyone??

francophile03

I think Strasbourg Gare is closer to the city center than Strasbourg Station. But I am not certain. Usually if there are two train stations, one is closer to the city than the other one.

katzen

Thanks Francophile! The 1st time I tried pulling up my tickets Strasbourg Station came up and now I just did the same exact thing and Strasbourg Gare came up. It's very confusing.

katzen

From what I can tell Strasbourg Gare is where I need to be in order to catch the TGV 5405 train departing at 08h33 and arriving Avignon TGV at 14h36. I hope this is right!

MorganB

Hi there. The TGV with an upper deck have a logo that says TGV Duplex when you book. For your train , its not a duplex so no upper deck. Seats 11 and 14 are both single seats. First class is 2 - 1 config so thats on the "1" side. A seat with both window and asile access. These two seats could possibly be facing each other with a table in between or they could be one in front of the other or perhaps seperated by no more than one seat. If I had to guess I would think they might be facing each other.

It probably read Strasbourg station on the english version and Strasbourg gare on the french version of the sncf site. To the best of my knowledge there is only one station in Strasbourg.

As far as printing is concerned, just give it a try. I have a mac and have had trouble in the past with printing from Safari but the last tickets I tried to print worked fine. You can try and just do it again with another browser if it doesnt work.

Michael

I've had no problem getting PREM tickets on Safari.

katzen

Thank you very much MorganB!!!! I am going to go ahead and book our tickets - 1st class. If the seats are across from each other maybe someone will be kind enough to switch with us.
Maybe the duplex (double decker) are from Avignon TGV to Paris? I'll have to remember to check that out when it's time to book those tickets.

Michael, thanks for reconfirming regarding Safari. I'm going to give it a shot on my MAC and hopefully I don't get stuck in a position where I've bought the tickets but can't print them out!

Thank you again for your help!!

katzen

Update: I was able to print both tickets off of my MAC. I bought (2) 1st class from Strasbourg to Avignon TGV for 128 euro total. I'm assuming all I have to do is show up at the train station with my ticket and ID and we'll be set?

MorganB, it did say Strasbourg Gare and then went I booked the ticket it read Strasbourg Station so I'm thinking they are one in thet same, as you mentioned in your post.

Thank you for all the help!!

MorganB

Grats on the tickets and glad the printing went smoothly.

Just show up at the train station with the printed ticket and ID. Odds are they wont even check until after the train is on its way. Have a nice trip.

katzen

Thanks MorganB! One more question regarding 'upper deck' on a TGV for those of you who have ridden up there or know the trains ... my next train ride from Avignon to Paris will have an upper deck. I noticed at booking that it has an option for 'upper deck required.' I'm assuming this means I will definitely get one?

What are the seating arrangements like (2 on each side?)

Is upper deck seating (view wise) better than lower deck? If we didn't purchase the upper deck (2nd class) we would purchase the lower class 2nd class. I read one post that mentioned upper deck seating was great .. so looking for a bit more about it ... again, scenic wise.

Thanks!

MorganB

Upper deck seating is 2+2 in second and 2+1 in 1st. If you put upper deck required on the seating selection then the computer will put you upstairs unless there are no more seats upstairs. When you select the fare it will tell you the seat location so you will know before you complete the booking where the seats are. If you dont like them then you can try again.

View is MUCH better out of the upper deck. It also tends to be sunnier. The only connection between cars is on the upper deck. Those going to the snack car from the lower deck must go upstairs first. This does increase foot traffic in the upper deck. The lower deck is more quiet and darker with very little foot traffic as you dont connect to the other cars.

katzen

Thanks MorganB!!

katzen

MorganB, what are iDTGV trains like? Why are tickets so much cheaper (on some routes)than on the normal TGV?
It may be cheaper for me to take the idTGV ... but i'd like to know the difference or why someone would choose this train over the regular TGV other than price.

Thanks!

MorganB

The physical train is identical to that of the classic Duplex TGV. The seats are the very same. The staff is organized a bit differently and are not government employees so are paid less. There are additional services on the iDTGV such as movie rental, music player and game rental. Its divided into two "atmospheres". Basically the lower deck is quiet and the upper deck is where they rent movies and offer games and things.

The only other difference is iDTGV tickets are sold only on the net. You cannot buy them in the station or over the phone. You must print your ticket at home. If you can get the iDTGV for cheaper, I encourage you to take it.

katzen

Thank you MorganB. I did check and unfortunately they didn't have the time we needed. We are taking the 07h09 out. I didn't see any morning for the iDTGV train. Thanks again for your help!

MorganB

yeah usually there is just one iDTGV a day in each direction. Thats a difference I forgot to point out

Robespierre

francophile03 offers this brilliant flash of insight:

"I think Strasbourg Gare is closer to the city center than Strasbourg Station. But I am not certain." Well, that really nails it down. It's really great to get input from a truly knowledgeable traveler.

"Usually if there are two train stations, one is closer to the city than the other one." Well, yes, that would be true, wouldn't it? Unless they were the same distance, of course.