dln

My husband and I plan on taking the train from Paris to either Aix or Avignon on the 30th of September, returning on the 6th of October. Today is exactly 60 days away from our return date, so I hopped on the sncf site to check out the PREM fares.

All I'm coming up with is a roundtrip of 100 euros. I know from reading many posts that I can get a r/t fare for half of that, and the cheapie in me wants to hold out, but the planner in me wants to book our tickets NOW!

So I was wondering how far in advance those of you lucky enough to have grabbed the 50 euro r/t fares reserved? Did you check the sncf site every day until the fares dropped? Did anyone end up paying more than they wanted because they waited too close to the travel dates?

I guess I'm getting a little antsy because the outbound trip from Paris that would be most convenient for us--the 11:20 am journey--has screaming green letters next to it saying "Hurry Last Seats Available!"

dln

any takers, please?

Travelnut

This is how I look at it:
If I want to get a discounted fare, knowing that it will be nonrefundable/nonexchangable, I get it as soon as I see it. Some routes/times may not have the same discounts as other times on the same day. I think they have 'peak' travel times where they don't offer the discount. Maybe that is what you are seeing. Do you see the even-cheaper fare on other times or on other days for your route?
I guess it's like airfare in a way, you grab what looks good now, but there's a chance something better comes later (but maybe not!).

kappa

I just tried Paris(G.Lyon)- Avigon on your dates and found a few trains for 25 EUR one way (or 50 if you put 2 persons). Wasn't the round trip 100 EUR you found for 2 persons? There also are some trains for 50 for 1 person/oneway even if though they are PREM's.

dln

Kappa, you must be my French travel guardian! Of course it was 100 euros for two people! Talk about a big "duh" from me. I got on the Sncf site and booked our tickets straightaway--for a grand total of 100 euros. Merci merci merci.

Thanks Travelnut for caring enough to respond. In the end, I did get it when I saw it!

Now, on to rent a car, since I know when we're arriving in Provence.

ninasdream

I'd say book it now. I put together a last-minute trip in April, and ended up moving my side trip to Brussels & Brugge to the end of the trip to get the 14-day advance rate. My 24euro each way tickets would be at least 50euro each way without the advance discount. Is this a ticket you need to buy in advance? I bought my Giverny and Brugge to Brussels tix once I was in Paris. I didn't pay any premium price for buing them on-the-spot. Some posters suggested I could wai t to buy my Pair to Brussels ticket at the window, but as I had hotel reservations, I didn't want to take a chance taht the trains would be full during Easter week. I fold up small, cna be quiet, & don't eat much- is there any room for me? Have a great trip.

kappa

Hi dln, happy to know it worked out for you!