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HELP!! Cannot buy train tickets in France for May 8th--Why?

HELP!! Cannot buy train tickets in France for May 8th--Why?

Old Feb 9th, 2014, 11:58 AM
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HELP!! Cannot buy train tickets in France for May 8th--Why?

We are traveling from Nice to Paris on May 8th and I have been waiting for 90 days to purchase our train tickets. I knew it was a national holiday so I have been checking each day for the past week. SNCF and Capitainetrain.com both are not listing any trains for May 8th. When I try to purchase tickets on SNCF for May 8th, they push me to May 9th.
Does anyone have a clue what is going on. I did some research on this holiday and they indicate that trains, buses, etc. run on this holiday. Help????
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 12:37 PM
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They're simply not loaded on the system.

I wouldn't worry about it. If you can't buy tickets the same applies to everyone else. Just keep checking and they will become available.
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 01:56 PM
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Thank you. It just seems strange they would just skip a day and start selling tickets for May 9th. I will be patient.
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 02:05 PM
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I copied this from a post on TA. Can't vouch for its accuracy.

"No TGV trains are running because of extensive remedial work in the PACA region on that day. (May 8)

Public holidays are quite often picked for a massive round the clock stoppage to get line work done."
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 02:20 PM
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That is what I guessed. Not France -- but IME in the UK major engineering works are done on weekends and holidays. So it very well may be there are no trains at all that day.
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 02:34 PM
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Here's what it says on the SNCF site:

Préparation 3ème voie entre Marseille & Aubagne

Du 7 au 8 mai

En raison de travaux sur les voies, aucun train ne circulera entre Marseille et Nice du mercredi 7 mai (23h) au jeudi 8 mai (23h). Aucune substitution routière ne sera mise en place durant cette période.
Les TGV Paris Nice seront supprimés. Les autres TGV au départ ou à destination de Toulon et Nice seront origines / terminus Marseille.

http://aide.voyages-sncf.com/toute-l...ons-et-travaux

Basically, from May 7th through May 8th, because of work on the line,the Paris-Nice TGVs will not operate. There will be no substitute service.
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 03:22 PM
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I'd just fly, that's a pretty long train trip, anyway, about 6 hrs. Or else you'll have to change your date by a day. At least you found out about it so you can make plans.

You can fly Easyjet from NCE to ORY for only about 50-60 Euro, that's what I'd do if you have to be there that day. It's only a little more than the cheapest train fare. The flight is only 1.5 hrs.
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 03:38 PM
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It seems that only the run from Nice to Marseille will be shut down. There are TGVs from both Marseille and Aix to Paris. It is a 2 hr drive from Nice to the Aix TGV station. If you have a rental car, drive there. If not, search for buses to either Aix or Marseille, then taxi/shuttle to the TGV station.

Stu Dudley
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 03:44 PM
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I see from a prior post that you are staying in Eze & will have a car.

Simple solution - drive to the Aix TGV station, return the car, and take the TGV to Paris. You'll get to Paris faster this way than you would if the TGV was operational and you had to drive to Nice, return the car, and then take the TGV from Nice to Paris.

Stu Dudley
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 06:57 PM
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Thank you, thank you, thank you all. You have been a life saver!! Will drive the car to Aix TGV and take the train from there. I could not find that information on the SNCF site myself so thanks to MaineGG.
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 07:08 PM
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Flying can be cheaper than trains. I have been traveling to Europe since 1990 and mostly go between cities by plane unless the cities are really near each other. As in the United States, trains are generally more expensive than discount airlines. You just have to remember not to bring too much baggage. Even first class trains can be hot in the summer (European a/c in old trains leaves a lot to be desired). The TGV is nice but also very expensive.
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 07:38 PM
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lauren_s_kahn--I got two first class seats for 80 Euro. Love the trains in Europe as we do not get to take them in the USA. We fly everywhere here so it is a real treat to ride the rail when in Europe. I got seats on the upper deck which was recommended to me on an earlier post so you can look out, relax and enjoy the view. You are in Paris in 3 hours and then 15 minutes to our hotel. No security checks, no waiting for your luggage. I am more than pleased.
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 08:44 PM
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kakiebell - Glad things worked out for you. You'll enjoy your train trip. Comfortable, cool, relaxing, scenic, snoozes, and then entering Paris at the Gare de Lyon is a treat. In the Gare, "check out" the Train Bleu restaurant - which I consider to be a "must see" in Paris.
http://www.le-train-bleu.com/uk/index.php

Stu Dudley
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Old Feb 10th, 2014, 09:09 AM
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StuDudley--what a beautiul restaurant in a train station---only in Paris!!
When we are leaving St. Remy and driving to Eze Via Michelin has us driving on the A8 past Marseille. If we are in Eze and going to Aix, is this the best way to go back to the Aix train station?
Our train leaves around 2 p.m.
Thanks for your suggestion to go to Aix as we were about to fly and we would have missed the opportunity to take the train.
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Old Feb 10th, 2014, 09:21 AM
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The Aix TGV station is southwest of Aix - about half-way between Aix and Marseille. Take the A8 towards Aix, and then catch the A51 south for a "bit", then the D9 to the station. It should be well marked. The station is small, and last time we picked up a car there, the lots & offices were close to the station. Make sure the station is open on a holiday, however.

Stu Dudley
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Old Feb 10th, 2014, 01:34 PM
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Thanks everyone--fodorites came through again!
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