Booking trains dircetly through SNCF
#21
Join Date: Feb 2003
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I think I'm getting in over my head and I don't want to mislead you. However, when you said you "received your printable tickets" for Paris-Avignon, do you mean that you printed them yourself? With the second set (Avignon-Paris) you say you chose insurance and gave an address. If it was a real address in France (your hotel, for example), I presume the tickets will be mailed there. But don't take my word for it. You might want to call SNCF Direct at 0892 353 535.
#22
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I did print the Avignon-Paris portion myself. I am very grateful for your effort. I tried calling them. They said that their # is for SNCF only, not the internet.
She seemed to think that the ticket will return to SNCF (I put my US address) and they will have my record. I think I'll just print my confirmation, if they accept it fine, if not I learned a lesson. Many thanks for trying.
She seemed to think that the ticket will return to SNCF (I put my US address) and they will have my record. I think I'll just print my confirmation, if they accept it fine, if not I learned a lesson. Many thanks for trying.
#23
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> When I "pretended" to book a ticket and (like you) included cancellation insurance, I was asked to give a French address and was not given the option of printing my own ticket.
Tim'S,
That's interesting to know. Things I learn on this board! I did not know this problem as I always chose "No" to this insurance offer.
Rjderama, you asked,
> I don't have to make reservations for seats I buy through SNCF directly do I? Am I correct in assuming that these ticket prices include the reservation fee since there are seat numbers given me when I checkout?
Sorry what do you mean by "checkout"?
In any case, if this night train Prem's ticket works as day train Prem's, and you do see the seat (or rather couchette) numbers on the tickets you have printed, that means all are paid. I think that's also the point of Prem's, all done through internet and everything needed is printed by yourself. However I cannot tell 100% for sure as I have never bought Prem's for a night train.
Anyway good luck to you all on your travel planning!
Tim'S,
That's interesting to know. Things I learn on this board! I did not know this problem as I always chose "No" to this insurance offer.
Rjderama, you asked,
> I don't have to make reservations for seats I buy through SNCF directly do I? Am I correct in assuming that these ticket prices include the reservation fee since there are seat numbers given me when I checkout?
Sorry what do you mean by "checkout"?
In any case, if this night train Prem's ticket works as day train Prem's, and you do see the seat (or rather couchette) numbers on the tickets you have printed, that means all are paid. I think that's also the point of Prem's, all done through internet and everything needed is printed by yourself. However I cannot tell 100% for sure as I have never bought Prem's for a night train.
Anyway good luck to you all on your travel planning!
#24
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I bought PREM tickets for the night train from Toulon to Paris for a trip I took in June. To re-confirm what I said upstream, the price included the reservations and the couchette numbers were printed on the tickets.
#25
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Elba - there is a slight possibility that your ticket will arrive in the mail. I bought various tickets for Paris/St Pierre des Corps(TGV)/Amboise and was able to print the discounted ones and the others came in the mail to me in Florida (within 10 days).
#26
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OK, maybe someone can help me out -
I am in the US. I bought 2 PREM tickets, Avignon to Roissy. I expected to be able to print them out, only to discover I can't, since I took the cancellation isurance (I figured that at 2EU per person it was worth it). So now what can I do? I doubt the 'Hard Copy' tickets will make it to New Jersey and I can't print them. I can probably get somehting arranged at the station, but REALLY do not want to waste trip time on working this out with SNCF staff. Is there a number or email address that has proved helpful? Any suggestions are welcome.
Thank you,
David
I am in the US. I bought 2 PREM tickets, Avignon to Roissy. I expected to be able to print them out, only to discover I can't, since I took the cancellation isurance (I figured that at 2EU per person it was worth it). So now what can I do? I doubt the 'Hard Copy' tickets will make it to New Jersey and I can't print them. I can probably get somehting arranged at the station, but REALLY do not want to waste trip time on working this out with SNCF staff. Is there a number or email address that has proved helpful? Any suggestions are welcome.
Thank you,
David
#28
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I replied on another post Atuin made, that I just ordered Thalys tickets w/insurance and they arrived by mail to Florida within 10 days. This is the 2nd time I have rec'd by mail in short time (see above post, about 2 up).
#29
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Thanks to all who chimed in. I kinda left this thread thinking I was done and saw someone posted some more stuff, AND I NEVER SAID THANKS....
So here goes...THANKS!!!!
BTW, my wife and I decided to fly to Lourdes, the time was a factor and the cost was pretty good, about $150/person. We leave in 2 days!!! Yeah!
RJ
So here goes...THANKS!!!!
BTW, my wife and I decided to fly to Lourdes, the time was a factor and the cost was pretty good, about $150/person. We leave in 2 days!!! Yeah!
RJ
#30
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hi rjderama. I am planning to travel from Paris to Lourdes on May 13 but I am having trouble booking online on the SNCF site. Just wanted to know where did you get the airfare tickets for $150/person? I'm getting frustrated of trying to get a train ticket coz I've been trying to book it since last week.
To TimS, and to anyone who can help me, how to book online using the SNCF site. I live in the U.S. but I want to pick up the tickets in France since I am going to Paris first. But when I get to the Order Page, it only gives me the option of choosing free delivery by post and it's asking me to put an address. I put FRANCE when I was on the Search Page and tried to get the ticket with and without the insurance but still ended up having this problem. Please help!
To TimS, and to anyone who can help me, how to book online using the SNCF site. I live in the U.S. but I want to pick up the tickets in France since I am going to Paris first. But when I get to the Order Page, it only gives me the option of choosing free delivery by post and it's asking me to put an address. I put FRANCE when I was on the Search Page and tried to get the ticket with and without the insurance but still ended up having this problem. Please help!
#31
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dayslpr - I just checked and there are a few 40 E PREM tickets left for Paris-Lourdes on May 13. However, I also had trouble with the English version of the SNCF site and had to use the French version. (The French version did give me the option of printing my own tickets.) I have several suggestions. First, clear your cookies and see if becoming a first-time visitor to the English site works. If it doesn't, you could choose to have your tickets mailed to your hotel in Paris. Or you could call SNCF. Since my previous post I've found a different number for SNCF which is specifically for English speakers: 08 92 35 35 39. To call dial 011 (international access code for the US and Canada), then 33 (country code for France), then the number (omitting the initial zero which is only used for calls within France).
#32
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Hi day,
I just sumulated purchasing a ticket for the 10:10 from Gare Montparnasse to Lourdes on May 13. 81E, 2cl (The PREMS fare is 75E, but it requires chabging trains).
I got this notice:
>Confirm your order by paying online and choose to:
Receive your ticket free by post
Collect your ticket from an automatic ticket machine (except for business cards and the "Frequent Traveller and Flat Rate" season tickets) or from station ticket office or Boutiques (in France only).<
You can have your tickets mailed to you c/o your hotel
OR
You can bring your confirmation number and the same CC and collect your ticket in Paris.
NOTE: There is a 55E 1cl PREMS available on the 14:40 from Montparnasse; also a 35E 2cl couchette PREMS and a 60E 1cl couchette on the 23:40 from Austerlitz.
Hope this helps.
I just sumulated purchasing a ticket for the 10:10 from Gare Montparnasse to Lourdes on May 13. 81E, 2cl (The PREMS fare is 75E, but it requires chabging trains).
I got this notice:
>Confirm your order by paying online and choose to:
Receive your ticket free by post
Collect your ticket from an automatic ticket machine (except for business cards and the "Frequent Traveller and Flat Rate" season tickets) or from station ticket office or Boutiques (in France only).<
You can have your tickets mailed to you c/o your hotel
OR
You can bring your confirmation number and the same CC and collect your ticket in Paris.
NOTE: There is a 55E 1cl PREMS available on the 14:40 from Montparnasse; also a 35E 2cl couchette PREMS and a 60E 1cl couchette on the 23:40 from Austerlitz.
Hope this helps.
#33
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dayslpr, I think logging off and back on again later may help, or the cookies thing, but is it possible you are trying to do something unusual or buying some special kind of fare or seats or something? Often that is when people have problems. Aside from the insurance, there are some other things also, they can cause this problem, I think (I've never had that problem myself), like trying to get certain discounts, combine fares or something.
It may just be retaining your information from your prior searches, also, if you already selected things to buy, and that's the problem, as these things may already be on your "account".
Try reading the post with detailed instructions on this forum by MorganB with notes by others -- just search for "SNCF and guide" without quotes in the search box.
It may just be retaining your information from your prior searches, also, if you already selected things to buy, and that's the problem, as these things may already be on your "account".
Try reading the post with detailed instructions on this forum by MorganB with notes by others -- just search for "SNCF and guide" without quotes in the search box.
#34
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Thanks for all your help! I did try to clear the cookies from my computer and even tried 3 different computers but still having the same result so I ended up getting an aifare instead for $150/person at travelocity.com. Do you guys know why is it cheaper to fly than taking the train? I hope I did the right thing. And also, I posted a message under BMorgan's thread which is just the same inquiry I put in here. Just disregard that post.