MorganB's guide to booking SNCF French train tickets
Feb 12th, 2006, 07:33 AM
#21
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That mistake does really hurt - yup, I will call them. I might make this another thread - what was your worst booking mistake, so that others may learn...
BTW, I found the sncf website to be clunky to use, although it is amazing how easy it is now to plan a great trip, with all the resources available. I am just getting back into travelling after staying sat home for a few decades, and I just can't believe it. Fodors and Slow Travel forums are especially good!
BTW, I found the sncf website to be clunky to use, although it is amazing how easy it is now to plan a great trip, with all the resources available. I am just getting back into travelling after staying sat home for a few decades, and I just can't believe it. Fodors and Slow Travel forums are especially good!
Feb 13th, 2006, 08:12 AM
#23
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Morgan,
I wished I had these wonderful directions a week ago! One question, though...When purchasing my regular fare tickets, it did not give me any options other than mail to my address. So, I posted on Fodor's "what do I do?" and was given the reply by a few people to leave the country as France, and to just pick up when I get to the station. But, now you say that my tickets will be lost and I will have to pay again. Which is it the correct answer?
Thanks for the help,
Beth
I wished I had these wonderful directions a week ago! One question, though...When purchasing my regular fare tickets, it did not give me any options other than mail to my address. So, I posted on Fodor's "what do I do?" and was given the reply by a few people to leave the country as France, and to just pick up when I get to the station. But, now you say that my tickets will be lost and I will have to pay again. Which is it the correct answer?
Thanks for the help,
Beth
Feb 13th, 2006, 08:37 AM
#24
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Beth if you chose the mail option at the time of booking, the tickets will be mailed. If it said this, "Receive your ticket free by post", and that is the option you selected then they will be mailed and you cannot pick them up. In order to pick them up you have to chose this option at the time of order:
Collect your ticket from an automatic ticket machine (except for business cards and the "Frequent Traveller and Flat Rate" season tickets) or from station ticket office or Boutiques (in France only).
If they are mailed, the envelope will read:
Beth
123 Main Street
ZIP, Anytown, State
FRANCE
So as you can see they certainly could be lost. Of course some people do get them without issue as the postmaster is smart enough to see the address is in the US and not France. I think what the people on Fordors were telling you is to select the pick up at the station option rather than the mail option. Hope that helps. Morgan
Collect your ticket from an automatic ticket machine (except for business cards and the "Frequent Traveller and Flat Rate" season tickets) or from station ticket office or Boutiques (in France only).
If they are mailed, the envelope will read:
Beth
123 Main Street
ZIP, Anytown, State
FRANCE
So as you can see they certainly could be lost. Of course some people do get them without issue as the postmaster is smart enough to see the address is in the US and not France. I think what the people on Fordors were telling you is to select the pick up at the station option rather than the mail option. Hope that helps. Morgan
Feb 13th, 2006, 08:38 AM
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<<Is there any way that I can get non exchangeable tickets exchanged, that anyone knows of?>>
no, they mean it. It isn't just nonexchangeable, but nonrefundable. That is why they are so cheap.
As for miel, I don't understand what you are saying, but it sounds like you selected the mail option even though you intended to pick them up. That wasn't a good idea. YOu should never choose the mail option if you intend to pick them up. I wouldn't ever advise anyone to do that and don't remember seeing people giving that advice on here, but I don't think it's good advice. Perhaps someone advised you to put in France for the country for pickup (which would be the case if you intended to get them in Franc) and choose the pickup option. I don't remember anyone not being given the choice of pickup except when they are trying to do unusual things, such as combining different tickets, buying insurance, etc.
no, they mean it. It isn't just nonexchangeable, but nonrefundable. That is why they are so cheap.
As for miel, I don't understand what you are saying, but it sounds like you selected the mail option even though you intended to pick them up. That wasn't a good idea. YOu should never choose the mail option if you intend to pick them up. I wouldn't ever advise anyone to do that and don't remember seeing people giving that advice on here, but I don't think it's good advice. Perhaps someone advised you to put in France for the country for pickup (which would be the case if you intended to get them in Franc) and choose the pickup option. I don't remember anyone not being given the choice of pickup except when they are trying to do unusual things, such as combining different tickets, buying insurance, etc.
Feb 13th, 2006, 09:51 AM
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-----I think you missed a step:
2a. Click on Information and Booking Schedule under Travel. (Then you can click on Advanced Search on the next page)-----
Rhonda, I dont see this anywhere. When I go to http://www.voyages-sncf.com and click on the union jack it takes me to a page that had "advanced search" near the bottom of it.
2a. Click on Information and Booking Schedule under Travel. (Then you can click on Advanced Search on the next page)-----
Rhonda, I dont see this anywhere. When I go to http://www.voyages-sncf.com and click on the union jack it takes me to a page that had "advanced search" near the bottom of it.
Feb 13th, 2006, 07:42 PM
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Oh Morgan, I am mistaken. I have been going to www.sncf.com site which requires that extra step rather than the site you listed. Sorry about that.
There are so many ways to get to the booking engine for the SNCF! I thought you might be talking about another site but wasnt sure which one.
Feb 15th, 2006, 12:32 PM
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I have always understood that people from the US should not pick up tickets in France by using the Automatic Ticket Machine. You must use the same Credit/Debit card you paid with, and the ATMs expect a chip card - which are not issued anywhere in the US (that I know of - my wife works for Visa). Has anyone tried to pick up tickets using a card issued by a USA bank (or other type if issuer)? We've always picked them up at any train station's ticket window.
Also, for several years up to about '02, we called the SNCF English speaking number, purchased tickets, and had them mailed to us in the USA. No Prems, however, but we did get the reduced fare tickets (forgot the name they used then).
Stu Dudley
Also, for several years up to about '02, we called the SNCF English speaking number, purchased tickets, and had them mailed to us in the USA. No Prems, however, but we did get the reduced fare tickets (forgot the name they used then).
Stu Dudley
Feb 15th, 2006, 10:17 PM
#33
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Stu, they have replaced all the automatic ticket machines in several train stations if not all of them. They are now fancy touch screen ones that work much better.
That said, I have not tested them with a US card to see if they work. You can certainly try as it doesnt create a problem but should continue to allow time to get them at the counter if it doesnt work.
That said, I have not tested them with a US card to see if they work. You can certainly try as it doesnt create a problem but should continue to allow time to get them at the counter if it doesnt work.
Feb 16th, 2006, 07:11 AM
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>>You can certainly try as it doesn't create a problem but should continue to allow time to get them at the counter if it doesnt work.<<
As I recall from the last time I purchased tickets on their web site (last year), there was a box you checked for picking them up at the ATM machine, and a box you checked for picking them up at the counter. There was not a single box for "ATM or counter". Your excellent write-up is a little vague about that - although it may be my memory that's vague.
That worries me - why would they offer two boxes/options, if when you pick up the tickets you could try the ATM and if it does not work, then try the counter. I'm concerned that if the ATM does not work because I don't have a chip card, the window will not be able to issue my ticket. It seems that the counter should be able to do it, but we've spent a considerable amount of time in France (2 months each year - wife speaks French), and "systems & procedures" there are not as flexible and well designed as they are in the US, IMO. We tried to make an adjustment one time to a TGV ticket, and got nowhere with the office personnel at the train station - mainly because they did not even know who was authorized to handle our situation, and the only person who might know was gone for the day.
I seem to recall a long thread last year on Fodor's or aol about the ATM machines, and at that time the conclusion was NO NOT USE THE ATM MACHINES. But that was last year - and things could have been changed since then.
Stu Dudley
As I recall from the last time I purchased tickets on their web site (last year), there was a box you checked for picking them up at the ATM machine, and a box you checked for picking them up at the counter. There was not a single box for "ATM or counter". Your excellent write-up is a little vague about that - although it may be my memory that's vague.
That worries me - why would they offer two boxes/options, if when you pick up the tickets you could try the ATM and if it does not work, then try the counter. I'm concerned that if the ATM does not work because I don't have a chip card, the window will not be able to issue my ticket. It seems that the counter should be able to do it, but we've spent a considerable amount of time in France (2 months each year - wife speaks French), and "systems & procedures" there are not as flexible and well designed as they are in the US, IMO. We tried to make an adjustment one time to a TGV ticket, and got nowhere with the office personnel at the train station - mainly because they did not even know who was authorized to handle our situation, and the only person who might know was gone for the day.
I seem to recall a long thread last year on Fodor's or aol about the ATM machines, and at that time the conclusion was NO NOT USE THE ATM MACHINES. But that was last year - and things could have been changed since then.
Stu Dudley
Feb 16th, 2006, 08:06 AM
#35
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Hi Stu, Glad you like the write up. Here's the exact text for the option which is above in the write up also:
"Collect your ticket from an automatic ticket machine (except for business cards and the "Frequent Traveller and Flat Rate" season tickets) or from station ticket office or Boutiques (in France only)."
So collecting from the machine or counter is the same option. No worries there. The new machines have been installed in the last year so i suspect the older write up was about the old machines. Of course the new machines could reject US credit cards also. In the past i have gone to the old machines and tried my card, when it didnt work I went to the counter.
I now always go to the counter because I travel with my dog and you can only get tickets for animals at the counter so i havent tested the new machines.
"Collect your ticket from an automatic ticket machine (except for business cards and the "Frequent Traveller and Flat Rate" season tickets) or from station ticket office or Boutiques (in France only)."
So collecting from the machine or counter is the same option. No worries there. The new machines have been installed in the last year so i suspect the older write up was about the old machines. Of course the new machines could reject US credit cards also. In the past i have gone to the old machines and tried my card, when it didnt work I went to the counter.
I now always go to the counter because I travel with my dog and you can only get tickets for animals at the counter so i havent tested the new machines.
Feb 19th, 2006, 10:20 AM
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I am trying to buy on line prem fares from cdg to aix en provence tgv - everythign goes fine until section to put country - USA does not come up - so i cannot continue to purchase them. I am really frustrated!! Help!!
Feb 19th, 2006, 11:30 AM
#38
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MorganB -
Now that I have printed my tickets...
When I get to the train station, what next? Do I just hand the ticket to the conductor, or is there somplace I get them stamped or verified?
(sorry if you already covered this and I missed it!)
Now that I have printed my tickets...
When I get to the train station, what next? Do I just hand the ticket to the conductor, or is there somplace I get them stamped or verified?
(sorry if you already covered this and I missed it!)
Feb 19th, 2006, 11:42 AM
#39
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Hi Teaberry,
You just go to the proper train and take your seat. On occassion you may have to show the ticket to gain access to the platform. On the train the conductor will come by and check it at some point during the trip and they may ask for ID but not always. Home printed tickets dont need to be validated. Have a great trip!
You just go to the proper train and take your seat. On occassion you may have to show the ticket to gain access to the platform. On the train the conductor will come by and check it at some point during the trip and they may ask for ID but not always. Home printed tickets dont need to be validated. Have a great trip!
