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-   -   Geneva to Avignon by train (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/geneva-to-avignon-by-train-841620/)

amccann May 24th, 2010 09:04 AM

Geneva to Avignon by train
 
We're interested in taking the train from Geneva to Avignon in mid-June. When looking for reservations, we notice two designations, Geneva, France and Geneva. Are these in entirely separate locations? Anyone have advice on booking the TGV? Thanks.

Palenque May 24th, 2010 09:36 AM

There is a French (SNCF) train station inside the Geneva main Cornavin station i believe - it's all one station but the French station is separated - because until recently you had to pass thru Customs when entering France from Switzerland and vice versa. Anyway there is only one main station in Geneva though there is also a secondary Eaux-Vives station mainly serving trains to the Chamonix area.

Pvoyageuse May 24th, 2010 09:54 AM

There is also an SBB station at the airport.

Palenque May 24th, 2010 09:58 AM

Look for PREM fares at www.voyages-sncf.com on TGV trains - deep online only discounts but make them far in advance as they are sold in limited numbers for each train. Also non-changeable non-refundable so be sure of time and date and if arriving by air leave a large enough fudge factor for planes to be late. Just show up and you may pay literally $100 or so more.

amccann May 24th, 2010 11:36 AM

Thanks! I guess the next question is if PREM fares apply when going from Geneva to Avignon? I thought that these fares might only be available when travelling from France to France. Is that correct, or is it possible to use the Geneva FR station and obtain these discounted fares.

StuDudley May 24th, 2010 12:42 PM

Check the sncf I find out from the source !!!

Stu Dudley

altamiro May 25th, 2010 11:52 PM

>I guess the next question is if PREM fares apply when going from Geneva to Avignon? I thought that these fares might only be available when travelling from France to France.

Going from Geneva to Avignon is going from France to France. The tracks where the trains depart for France are part of the French rail network, the other tracks are part of the Swiss network. Network borders and national borders are not always identical.

Palenque May 26th, 2010 01:15 PM

Geneva and Basel yes both have SNCF stations in them and are considered part of the French rail network like altamiro says.

Say if you had a railpass valid in France you could use it to go to either Geneva or Basel without extra charge even though those two cities are a few miles inside Switzerland.


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