abbynicole27

Ok, so for one leg of my trip, I need to take the train from Milan to Lyon, do a little side trip to Valence (just south of Lyon), then go back up through Lyon to Paris. Is my best bet to just buy these in the train stations, or should I be looking to buy them online in advance? (the prices I've been quoted online so far seem pretty outrageous for such short/direct routes)

abbynicole27

BTW, this will be in late June (peak season prices, I'm guessing)

abbynicole27

topping

rex

Search here for PREM fares, as these are (SNCF) fares that are cheaper than anything you can get online (I think - - but I am not speaking from experience - - and come to think of it, maybe they have an advance ourchase requirement).

I don't think that trenitalia tickets are cheaper nor more expensive online versus in person (or from the vending machines there) - - but keep in mind that there are promotional fares(Saturdays, in particular, I think) which allow unlimited travel for something like 15 euro. Available only "there", as far as I know.

Hope this info isn't too fragmented or inaccurate.

Best wishes,

Rex

ira

Hi abby,

You can purchase your tickets online at either www.trenitalia.com/en or at http://www.voyages-sncf.com/.

The Trenitalia tickets are the same as in Italy.

Do check for travel specials, though.

The French tickets can often be bought, up to 60 days in advance, at a discount.

The Milan/Lyon leg can be bought from either rail system.

StCirq

There are often PREMs fares of 20 or 25 euros for the Lyon-Paris leg. You must purchase them in advance (but it can't be more than 60 days in advance), pay online with a cc, and then print out the ticket from your computer. It's a lot less than what you would pay at the station once you get there.

ira

Hi abby,

>The Milan/Lyon leg can be bought from either rail system.<

This is incorrect.

You can't buy international tickets online from Trenitalia, but you can from SNCF.