MorganB's French Rail SNCF Booking guide version 2
Aug 3rd, 2006, 10:10 AM
#41
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not that I doubted it...BUT THIS ALL WORKS! I had to do it a few times to get to print off my tickets but I gottem!
Yaaaay. I think the train journey from Roissy to St. Raphael will be a great part of the vacation!
Yaaaay. I think the train journey from Roissy to St. Raphael will be a great part of the vacation!
Aug 15th, 2006, 10:59 AM
#44
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another huge thanks!
Had no problem whatsoever booking/printing Paris/Lyon tickets today.
Note to everyone: If your destination has more than one train station, PAY ATTENTION when you select. Even though you enter a specific station when you get started, others will come up...
Had no problem whatsoever booking/printing Paris/Lyon tickets today.
Note to everyone: If your destination has more than one train station, PAY ATTENTION when you select. Even though you enter a specific station when you get started, others will come up...
Aug 21st, 2006, 06:48 AM
#47
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great work MorganB BUT....
I have tried everything you said to buy 2 PREM tickets from Roissy (CDG) to Lyon, one way...SNCF wants to mail them to me....of course the Canadian postal code knocks out that option. I can't for the life of me get the option for France counter pick-up.
I sent SNCF an e-mail last night and their server wouldn't accept it!
I tried the Thalys web site route but they don't have a link to SNCF that I can find.
I just tried the English version phone number you noted and it connects me with the Eorostar office!
How frustrating! I am tempted to just take my chances when I arrive....this may actually be my only option!
I have tried everything you said to buy 2 PREM tickets from Roissy (CDG) to Lyon, one way...SNCF wants to mail them to me....of course the Canadian postal code knocks out that option. I can't for the life of me get the option for France counter pick-up.
I sent SNCF an e-mail last night and their server wouldn't accept it!
I tried the Thalys web site route but they don't have a link to SNCF that I can find.
I just tried the English version phone number you noted and it connects me with the Eorostar office!
How frustrating! I am tempted to just take my chances when I arrive....this may actually be my only option!
Aug 21st, 2006, 10:03 AM
#49
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did both: with and without insurance. With insurance I get post option only. Without insurance I also get the print option. I NEVER get the pick up at a french counter option.
I would prefer with insurance just in case my flights into Paris get messed up and I miss that train.
I just got a reply from my e-mail to SNCF (they were closed for the weekend hence my problems with their server!). Nothing they suggest is any different from the MorganB Booking Guide.
RailEurope has tickets for 3 times the price of SNCF (maybe they are worth it given the time I have spent on this project!).
I would prefer with insurance just in case my flights into Paris get messed up and I miss that train.
I just got a reply from my e-mail to SNCF (they were closed for the weekend hence my problems with their server!). Nothing they suggest is any different from the MorganB Booking Guide.
RailEurope has tickets for 3 times the price of SNCF (maybe they are worth it given the time I have spent on this project!).
Aug 21st, 2006, 02:03 PM
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Ferros. Prems cannot be picked up at the counter which is why you arent getting the option. You must print them, have them mailed, or buy them directly at the station or boutique. Of course by the time you get to France all the Prems will be gone.
You might want to read the insurance carefully. I am not sure it will help if your plane is late. I suggest allowing some time between your plane and train , not selecting insurance and just printing your tickets at home.
Alternately you may want to consider booking a plane ticket that includes your train travel.
You might want to read the insurance carefully. I am not sure it will help if your plane is late. I suggest allowing some time between your plane and train , not selecting insurance and just printing your tickets at home.
Alternately you may want to consider booking a plane ticket that includes your train travel.
Aug 21st, 2006, 09:45 PM
#51
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you're taking an overnight flight from the USA to CDG, skip the insurance and just select a reasonable train departure time.
My understanding (with which I have little confidence) is that the insurance covers you if public transportation (a strike, perhaps?) to the train station is not available. The coverage is translated from French to English and not very clear. Don't think it covers your plane being late, but you may have a different understanding or interpretation.
In all our trips to Europe, only once was our flight delayed (medical emergency on the inbound plane from London with Virgin, or at least that what they told us, three hour delay).
I would think if you allow plenty of time, in case you are bussed to the terminal because there is no gate available for your arriving flight, there's a long line at passport control, or the luggage is slow in coming out, you'll be just fine without the insurance.
My understanding (with which I have little confidence) is that the insurance covers you if public transportation (a strike, perhaps?) to the train station is not available. The coverage is translated from French to English and not very clear. Don't think it covers your plane being late, but you may have a different understanding or interpretation.
In all our trips to Europe, only once was our flight delayed (medical emergency on the inbound plane from London with Virgin, or at least that what they told us, three hour delay).
I would think if you allow plenty of time, in case you are bussed to the terminal because there is no gate available for your arriving flight, there's a long line at passport control, or the luggage is slow in coming out, you'll be just fine without the insurance.
Aug 23rd, 2006, 06:41 PM
#52
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think there some kind of voodoo against me booking through SNCF! I have gotten as far as inputing my Visa details (tried several times with different computers and different Visa card numbers... (all legitimate and available for business with anyone who would care to take my money...per discussions with the bank)...YET SNCF claims that my bank is refusing to process the payment!
I have sent 2 emails to SNCF (one in very pathetic high school French!) and am now beseeching them to give me a contact phone number!
I suspect RailEurope is trying to cut in on the North American action hence SNCF is making it as difficult as possible.
It is making me more determined than ever to avoid RailEurope where the fares are more than 3 times the price. I don't mind service fees but honestly THAT is a big gouge! If all else fails I will just take my chances after I land in Paris.
I have sent 2 emails to SNCF (one in very pathetic high school French!) and am now beseeching them to give me a contact phone number!
I suspect RailEurope is trying to cut in on the North American action hence SNCF is making it as difficult as possible.
It is making me more determined than ever to avoid RailEurope where the fares are more than 3 times the price. I don't mind service fees but honestly THAT is a big gouge! If all else fails I will just take my chances after I land in Paris.
Aug 24th, 2006, 08:43 PM
#54
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the time tip but I have tried day and night.....BUT now finally
uccess...sort of!:
I got a email back from SNCF today (in French)with a phone number (same as your French number in your "guide"
> I more or less understand French so finally made it through to a very nice English-fluent lady who manged to book me 2- 2nd class tickets at 75 Euros each (on line they are 52 Euros each for 1st class!)....only to be told that my bank was again refusing payment. I thanked her and proceeded to raise hell at my Visa bank. My bank was completely USELESS saying that the payment request was not even registering on their end and my card was in good standing!!! and all European merchants were obliged by law to honor my card!!! Well duh...reality was proving the legal system really useless!...came home and tried an old MasterCard that we never use and BINGO it worked like a charm. I have printed the tickets and am going 1st class because it was cheaper than 2nd Class (go figure!).
I conclude that this is all about the darned Visa chips that they are so obsessed about in Europe! Looks like the biggest rail company in France just does not accept North American Visa cards (at least not the Canadian ones!)..it does not even TRY to process the payments!
Am applying for an Amex card just in case!
Am moving on to booking a ferry between Normandy and England...wish me luck. Nothing could be so convoluted!
Thanks for all the advice!
uccess...sort of!:I got a email back from SNCF today (in French)with a phone number (same as your French number in your "guide"
> I more or less understand French so finally made it through to a very nice English-fluent lady who manged to book me 2- 2nd class tickets at 75 Euros each (on line they are 52 Euros each for 1st class!)....only to be told that my bank was again refusing payment. I thanked her and proceeded to raise hell at my Visa bank. My bank was completely USELESS saying that the payment request was not even registering on their end and my card was in good standing!!! and all European merchants were obliged by law to honor my card!!! Well duh...reality was proving the legal system really useless!...came home and tried an old MasterCard that we never use and BINGO it worked like a charm. I have printed the tickets and am going 1st class because it was cheaper than 2nd Class (go figure!).I conclude that this is all about the darned Visa chips that they are so obsessed about in Europe! Looks like the biggest rail company in France just does not accept North American Visa cards (at least not the Canadian ones!)..it does not even TRY to process the payments!
Am applying for an Amex card just in case!
Am moving on to booking a ferry between Normandy and England...wish me luck. Nothing could be so convoluted!
Thanks for all the advice!
Aug 25th, 2006, 01:08 AM
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Glad you got it done! My US visa works fine with their booking system. Doesnt have a chip. I would chalk it up to one of the great visa network mysteries! Glad you perservered and got first class!
Aug 25th, 2006, 04:10 AM
#56
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you, MorganB! What a great service you have done for people to document these steps. You saved me so much time and frustration - you would have saved me more if I had read your instructions an hour earlier! I was trying to book a route that had a prem leg and a regular fare leg but I could not print at home. But I managed to book just the PREM tickets leg and I can do the 2nd leg when I arrive in Paris! I'm saving a lot of money - I was looking at 177 euro each for Paris to Bruges. I found a PREM for Paris to Lille for 116 euro for TWO! So, if you are in Paris early September, we should meet so I can buy you a glass of wine!
Aug 25th, 2006, 07:31 AM
#58
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Morgan, my e-mail is [email protected]. Let's schedule a drink!
Sep 13th, 2006, 03:37 PM
#59
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HELP! I can't seem to get to the english version of the site. It always take me to the french site: http://org-www.voyages-sncf.com/leis...dispo/home.htm
and there is no flags at the bottom. Can someone post the specific web site address for the english page please?
Thank you!!
and there is no flags at the bottom. Can someone post the specific web site address for the english page please?
Thank you!!
Sep 13th, 2006, 03:44 PM
#60
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The SNCF web site is currently down, which is why you're getting that strange page. I would try again by entering www.sncf.com, then clicking on the english flag at the bottom in 5
or 6 hours as it's now very late at night in Europe (just before 2am).
Good night ;-)
Andre
or 6 hours as it's now very late at night in Europe (just before 2am).
Good night ;-)
Andre
