Buying train tickets online - help?
 

I am trying to purchase SNCF or Thalys tickets for Paris to Brugge to take advantage of the cheaper rate vs RailEurope. Unfortunately the only option either site is giving me is to have them mailed, and of course (I live in Canada) I can't do that. Which means that I am not able to grab these tickets at this great price.

Is there a way around this? Anyone have any suggestions as to how I can purchase these tickets online?

Hi C,

If it is a PREMS ticket, you can print it at home if you don't buy the insurance.

If not, you can pick it up at any train station or SNCF boutique when you arrive OR
you can have it mailed to you c/o your Paris hotel.

((I))

I'm taking the same trip in 2 weeks. I'm curious, what is the price difference to buy them ahead of time vs. buying the tickets when I get there. I had planned to just wait and take care of it once I'm in Paris but if I can save some money...
Thanks!

>what is the price difference to buy them ahead of time vs. buying the tickets when I get there.

If you get PREM tickets, or Smileys as it is callled on Thalys, then the savings can be significant. If the discounted tickets are sold out, it does not matter price-wise at all whether you buy ahead of the time or not.

If you are trying to buy them on SNCF, they clearly show you all the different rates (including standard), so you can see what the difference is.

Well, I switched my tickets from Paris-Brugge to Paris-Lille and I was able to purchase and print out Prems for all of us (5) - at a reasonable rate (20. eur each). I will then buy tickets in Lille on a regional train to continue on to Brugge. As far as I can see it should cost the same as trying to buy the entire trip online.

And the Lille route is just as quick as the Thalys route - i'd buy the Lille-Bruges ticket in Paris before boarding so you can catch the next train as there is often just a few minutes between trains and you could wait an hour for the next one. Will be same price in Paris as it is in Lille - though lines in Lille may be less. Apparently automatic ticket machines of SNCF do not take American credit cards.

I'm glad I followed this thread. I just booked prems for Paris to Lille for less than 58 euro per person (RT)! I'll book the Lille/Bruges leg when I get to Paris, it looks to be about 35 euro person. I was looking at 177 euro per person for Paris to Bruges so this is quite a savings. Thanks everyone!

Hi cls,

www.voyages-sncf.com list Lille Flandres to Bruges as about 14E pp.

((I))

Thanks, Ira. Was that for RT or one way? I was pricing the RT. I just checked again now and I'm seeing departures close to what I think I need for 13.80E pp each way. So, even less than than it was last night!

Hi cl,

14E each way.

((I))