Check in time for trains
Mar 28th, 2007 | 12:13 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2007
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Check in time for trains
What is the recommended check in time for trains in France? Am traveling from Paris to Strasbourg and then Strasbourg to Frankfurt. Also what are your options if you have already purchased a ticket and miss your connecting train? Thanks
Mar 28th, 2007 | 12:27 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2004
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<i>What is the recommended check in time for trains in France?</i>
Check in as long as the door is open and you can scramble on board.
<i>Also what are your options if you have already purchased a ticket and miss your connecting train?</i>
You take the next train. If the next train requires seat reservations you buy a seat reservation, or wait for a train which does not require reservations.
Mar 28th, 2007 | 12:42 PM
#4
Joined: Jan 2007
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If you've bought a PREM (France) or SPAR faare in Germany these i believe are often not chanbeable or refundable but if you have a full fare ticket it can be used on other trains i believe just by paying a new reservation fee.
There are direct Paris-Frankfurt trains but not via Strasbourg i believe.
There are direct Paris-Frankfurt trains but not via Strasbourg i believe.
Mar 28th, 2007 | 12:54 PM
#5
Joined: Jul 2004
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It depends if you already have your tickets. If you need to buy tickets or pick them up (not from a machine) then allows some time in case there is a queue. I always have mine pre booked and like to be there 20 mins early if I have booked seats.
Mar 28th, 2007 | 08:04 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
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Actually in many cases, the train stops for 2 minutes at smaller stations.
If you are boarding the train at a large station, like Gare de l'Est, I would get there ahead of time just to make sure I can find the blooming platform.
Also, if you are on a train that does not require seat reservations and you don't have one, you should be there 15 to 20 minutes before departure so you can find a good seat.
It is not so much the check-in because there is none, it is getting to the station in time to find the train, find a seat, and get your luggage stowed before the train starts moving.
As stated, if you miss the train, take the next one. If you need a seat reservation, then you have to buy it.
NOW, you are raising an interesting question. Sometimes you can buy an advanced purchase, time restricted ticket that limits you to a specific departure time on a specific date. If you miss that train, then you are hung. In Germany, there is no refund; you might as well deposit your ticket in the trash, go to the ticket window and pay full fare for the next train.
I suggest not playing chicken with departure times.
Once in France we were leaving Giverny to return to the station in Vernon to take the train back to Gare St. Lazare.
The cab driver was late and came roaring into the station about 60 seconds before the train pulled in for its 2 minute pause. While my wife paid the cab driver, I ran to the machine and "composted" our tickets. (Required in France before boarding.) We scrambled on with 30 seconds to spare.
The driver waved good bye with sort of the attitude of "What's the problem? You made it didn't you?" Well yes we did, and my blood pressure might have broken the 200 barrier in the process.
I think your trip will be more serene if you give yourself time. Being in position is better than being out of position.
Not everybody can pull a James Worthy and win an NCAA basketball championship by being in the wrong place, 20 feet out of position, at precisely the right time.
If you are boarding the train at a large station, like Gare de l'Est, I would get there ahead of time just to make sure I can find the blooming platform.
Also, if you are on a train that does not require seat reservations and you don't have one, you should be there 15 to 20 minutes before departure so you can find a good seat.
It is not so much the check-in because there is none, it is getting to the station in time to find the train, find a seat, and get your luggage stowed before the train starts moving.
As stated, if you miss the train, take the next one. If you need a seat reservation, then you have to buy it.
NOW, you are raising an interesting question. Sometimes you can buy an advanced purchase, time restricted ticket that limits you to a specific departure time on a specific date. If you miss that train, then you are hung. In Germany, there is no refund; you might as well deposit your ticket in the trash, go to the ticket window and pay full fare for the next train.
I suggest not playing chicken with departure times.
Once in France we were leaving Giverny to return to the station in Vernon to take the train back to Gare St. Lazare.
The cab driver was late and came roaring into the station about 60 seconds before the train pulled in for its 2 minute pause. While my wife paid the cab driver, I ran to the machine and "composted" our tickets. (Required in France before boarding.) We scrambled on with 30 seconds to spare.
The driver waved good bye with sort of the attitude of "What's the problem? You made it didn't you?" Well yes we did, and my blood pressure might have broken the 200 barrier in the process.
I think your trip will be more serene if you give yourself time. Being in position is better than being out of position.
Not everybody can pull a James Worthy and win an NCAA basketball championship by being in the wrong place, 20 feet out of position, at precisely the right time.
