Southam

Another very useful set of instructions for buying TGV tickets is the blog http://parisbytrain.com/tgv-tickets/
It goes step by step, reproducing the TGV pages to make it easier for non-French-speakers.
Buy the tickets as early as possible; TGV prices resemble European budget airlines, increasing as the departure date draws closer. Americans and Canadians can often find better prices than offered by RailEurope, the default site where the French rail computers try to push us.

justretired

A comparison price:

I had previously bought tickets on the TGV from CDG to Montpellier, at 45€ each (PREM), for September 9. Just today, we rented our car, picking it up in Montpellier, and returning it to Avignon TGV station. We then bought tickets from Avignon TGV to CDG, this time at 35€ each, also PREM tickets, for September 22. This was all done on the http://www.voyages-sncf.fr site.

I appreciate the information on the reason for the two train numbers on what, on the Avignon-CDG run, is obviously one train (same departure and arrival times). We couldn't figure out what that meant, but now it makes sense.

JeanneB

Lots of train savvy posters here, so I'll take advantage of it!

I get frustrated with sncf because I've never found any kind of "route map" or list of station names. For example, if I'm staying near Tours, I might want to know what destinations are available to me within a short train ride.

How would I research such a thing?

justretired

I'm not sure if this will help, but here's a list of the stations by region, with a list of nearby towns:

http://www.gaf.tm.fr/fr/france/garesncf.php

You can click on a region, and see what's nearby.

Below is a simple list of all the stations in France:

http://www.keskeces.com/sncf/liste.php

JeanneB

Well, that's more info than I had before. And can be useful in determining whether there's a station in a particular place.

What I would like, though, is like the maps the airlines offer: click on a city and it tells you the direct routes you can fly out of that city. I'd like to click on a station (Tours, e.g.)--- or pull up a list for that station --- and see the direct destinations I can access from that departure point.

JeanneB

Actually, I may have found something. On that first link you gave me I found a tab called "Carte du Departments". Still trying to figure it out, but you lead me in the right direction. Thanks.

justretired

It seems to me that it's a bit harder to do this for a train than for a plane, because a train has so many stops. You could list all the local stops on a (non-TGV) line, a single line, but some of them would be ten minutes away, and some six hours. If you're in a city with multiple lines, the list could be enormous. If you're in Paris, the list will include every station in France.

Sarastro

<b>JeanneB</b> - There are brochures at the Tours train station which give detailed information about transportation to nearby locations.

Alternatively, you can try the following link which has an interactive map:

http://www.ter-sncf.com/centre/carte...res/index.asp#

Not all of the smaller stops are shown on this map but selecting the schedules can give you more detail to include departures to Amboise or Blois.

For instance there is a train from Tours to Chenonceaux, the station is Chisseaux and the schedules are available for the 24 minutes ride.

clemson91

Bookmarking

JeanneB

Sarastro: Wow. That's exactly what I was seeking! It's going to take a little practice.
Well, a LOT of practice. But it's a lot more info than I was able to find anywhere else. Thanks!

mpprh

"Plan2GoSoon on Jun 23, 09 at 08:20 PM

Just remember that if you buy in French, notify your credit card company before you do it."

Why ?

Peter

kismetchimera

My credit card company called me after I bought the TGV tickets to inform me about the charges and to verify that the purchases were legitimate.

bniemand

Like kismetchimera, my CC company also called after I ordered my CDG to Avignon tickets to verify the charges. I guess I'd say you don't necessarily need to call them in advance, but don't be surprised if they call you.

I ordered tickets for the return leg of my trip (Avignon to Paris on Oct 6) last week and this time the CC company didn't call. I used TGV-Europe again, same as before claiming Great Britain residency, and got the 22 Euro PREMS fare.

justretired

A couple of years ago, I rented a car on-line <i>without</i> calling my credit card company first (I forget which card I used). They actually refused the charge from overseas, which caused a lot of aggravation as I worked it all out. So now I always call them in advance before I'm going to make European charges.

I'm now using a Capital One card, because it doesn't have any fees on purchases made in a foreign currency. Even when I notify them in advance, they sometimes call me to check on a purchase. But they don't refuse it; they just give me a call.

Also remember to notify them of your travel dates when you actually travel. Otherwise, you could find yourself overseas with a non-working card. Ditto the bank that carries your ATM card. If you have a working cell phone with you, and you know the number in advance, let them know it too.

farrermog

Bookmarking (& thanks from another who found tickets half the price of those offered in my own currency by Rail Europe).

rmw555

bookmarking - thanks

ldh

Bookmarking. Thanks to all.