Flexipasses on French TGV?
 

Are SNCF Flexipasses...the ones good for, say, three days travel in 30...usable on the French TGV?

Yes, on all trains in France but you do not to get a seat reservation before boarding for 3 euros - pass covers train fare but not mandatory reservation charges. Suggest you make as early as possible once in France as there have been reported allotments for railpass holder seats even if the train is not full - this happens mainly on the Paris-Avignon-Nice lines. I've had situation where clerk said passholder place was not available yet they would sell me regular price ticket on that same train. Not the rule but does happen so make all your TGV reservations in advance upon arrival - can do at any station - but not in automatic machines on online to my knowledge. If you have any questions, BETS (800-441-2387) has a rail information line that answers all European train questions without charge or obligation - and i highly recommend them for that service. The pass is properly titled the France Railpass - there is currently a special one-day flexi pass in one month period being sold for $90 thru Dec 31, 2006. A value of the flexipass is for those taking Eurostar trains to London as this pass, as long as it's valid for the overall one-month validity period gets you a great passholder fare of as low as $77 (U.S. prices) and this ticket can even be changed once in europe without penalty.

Excellent, Bob...thank you for the very useful information.

If I may trouble you with another question, might one purchase a France Railpass online? I've poked around the SNCF website and I see no offer for such passes there. Or am I just missing it? Or must one buy the pass thru one of the agencies, which tend to be considerably more expensive than going directly thru the SNCF? (An appreciable difference in cost is significant since I need five passes).

France Railpasses are not sold in France as French can't use them - you have to buy it out of France. That's why it's not on the sncf.com site. If in US then RailEurope is one outlet where you can order online: www.raileurope.com - actually you're buying from the sncf because they own most of RailEurope - i do always recommend BETS (www.budgeteuropetravel.com; 800-441-2387), a RE agent for their superb service and expertise answering questions - Raileurope charges $25 to talk to someone when ordering i think. You may also check www.ricksteves.com for good info on passes.

But check www.voyages-sncf.com for PREM's fares if you can lock yourself into a certain train on a certain day and not change - the pass is good for free-wheeling sponteneity.

Correction to the wording in Bob's first sentence: He meant to say that you do need to get a seat reservation for TGVs. You CANNOT buy Railpasses through SNCF. Buy them at BETS or at www.ricksteves.com.

Gentlemen, thank you for sharing your knowlege and expertise. It will be most useful in planning my upcoming visit to France.

J.