why does train schedule keep changing?
Feb 28th, 2014, 11:55 AM
#1
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why does train schedule keep changing?
Hello,
I am trying to book one-way Colmar to Avignon TGV for Sat, May 24, 2014 for 2 adults.
I found a schedule that left about 1145am w/no changes. Now, it isn't listed...why?
Now, the only one I see leaves around 5pm and doesn't get there until after 9pm. I did not want to be driving to my B&B in the dark!
Am I too soon for the schedule? Is that why it's changing in front of me?
Help please.
I am trying to book one-way Colmar to Avignon TGV for Sat, May 24, 2014 for 2 adults.
I found a schedule that left about 1145am w/no changes. Now, it isn't listed...why?
Now, the only one I see leaves around 5pm and doesn't get there until after 9pm. I did not want to be driving to my B&B in the dark!
Am I too soon for the schedule? Is that why it's changing in front of me?
Help please.
Feb 28th, 2014, 12:08 PM
#2
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did you check both www.capitainetrain.com and www.voyages-.sncf.com - those sites should show all the trains - if you are using www.raileurope.com it does not show all the trains all the time - just ones they sell tickets on.
Feb 28th, 2014, 12:24 PM
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I just checked www.bahn.de/en - the German Railways site that IME is infallible or just about and for May 24 there give no direct train Colmar to Avignon - the only direct train list leaves around 4:40pm from Colmar - check www.bahn.de/en to see if it coincides with other schedules you referenced.
Feb 28th, 2014, 01:27 PM
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SNCF shows only one direct train from Colmar to Avignon, at 5:30 pm. Given the geography and routings, I wouldn't even expect there to be a direct train between those two places - I was surprised to see one. Is there a reason you can't do a connecting train? There are a number of those on May 24 that would get you to Avignon long before nightfall.
Feb 28th, 2014, 02:46 PM
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SNCF shows only one direct train from Colmar to Avignon, at 5:30 pm.>
exactly what www.bah.de/en shows too - 17:50 direct train only one that day and yes I too was surprised - all other links seem to take a regional train to a TGV train station.
exactly what www.bah.de/en shows too - 17:50 direct train only one that day and yes I too was surprised - all other links seem to take a regional train to a TGV train station.
Feb 28th, 2014, 03:51 PM
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Yeah, Pal, I was amazed that you could get directly from Colmar to Avignon.
And a regional train to a TGV station isn't THAT much of a hassle. Connections on the SNCF are usually pretty easy and seamless. I wouldn't be angling to insist on a direct connection; I actually like the whole changing train deal; it's interesting to get off in an unknown spot that isn't your destination and have a few minutes to look around, then hop on the next leg. But then, I love trains, and the connections are always interesting to me because they land in places for at least a few minutes that I'm not likely to be visiting. Just take a connecting trip and go with the flow.
And a regional train to a TGV station isn't THAT much of a hassle. Connections on the SNCF are usually pretty easy and seamless. I wouldn't be angling to insist on a direct connection; I actually like the whole changing train deal; it's interesting to get off in an unknown spot that isn't your destination and have a few minutes to look around, then hop on the next leg. But then, I love trains, and the connections are always interesting to me because they land in places for at least a few minutes that I'm not likely to be visiting. Just take a connecting trip and go with the flow.
Feb 28th, 2014, 08:32 PM
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I just figured it out...it is too early to find that particular schedule. I have checked every Saturday in March & April and up til May 3, there is a direct train from Colmar to Avignon at 1133 arriving Avignon 5 hrs 13 min later. I have to wait about 2 weeks til I can purchase that one.
On another note, I was able to finally purchase 2 tickets on the French voyages-sncf site today for my Paris - Strasbourg leg. It took a long time b/c I had to try several credit cards before it finally accepted one...good old Mastercard.
On another note, I was able to finally purchase 2 tickets on the French voyages-sncf site today for my Paris - Strasbourg leg. It took a long time b/c I had to try several credit cards before it finally accepted one...good old Mastercard.
Mar 1st, 2014, 01:34 PM
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PalenQ,
Thanks, that's me...champagne taste on a beer budget. Sometimes I get lucky. I've been reading the hints on here and when I saw those prices I jumped on it. I was actually able to navigate my way through the site in French!
Thanks, that's me...champagne taste on a beer budget. Sometimes I get lucky. I've been reading the hints on here and when I saw those prices I jumped on it. I was actually able to navigate my way through the site in French!
Mar 1st, 2014, 01:48 PM
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Now let's hope one of those pesky all too frequent train strikes don't pop up - unlikely but there have been several my French friend says during the last year - one of the day she landed back in Paris and had to take several hours to get to her home town of Orleans on the few trains that were running. No idea how discounted tickets are treated in that scenario!
Strikes are often previewed and I always ask the train station personnel is any are forecast. That said in Strasbourg recently I asked the night before about strikes and they assured me none were in the works.
Voila - showed up the next morning with a big Greve poster plastered all over the station - a wildcat strike had popped up when an SNCF train conductor had been assaulted on a regional train that morning - but long-distance trains were thankfully running and we go to Paris as scheduled.
The pain in France is mainly on the train at times like that!
Strikes are often previewed and I always ask the train station personnel is any are forecast. That said in Strasbourg recently I asked the night before about strikes and they assured me none were in the works.
Voila - showed up the next morning with a big Greve poster plastered all over the station - a wildcat strike had popped up when an SNCF train conductor had been assaulted on a regional train that morning - but long-distance trains were thankfully running and we go to Paris as scheduled.
The pain in France is mainly on the train at times like that!
