JoMark

Oh, I forgot to ask what does this line that appears in red at the top of the page actually mean? "Attention, you cannot make reservations for certain journeys in this list"

MorganB

They are typically released at midnight central european time 90 days prior to travel. I would assume they are available every day.

kappa

"Attention, you cannot make reservations for certain journeys in this list"

The list might have Non highspeed TGV trains, eg, Corail or TER. You cannot reserve seats espcially on TER. You just get on the train and sit whatever seat that is free.

"Piccolo fares as these are nearly half the cost of the PREMS"

Picolo : €20
Prem's : the lowest is €25 (but it's true there are €35, €50.)

JoMark

Help, I've booked my prems tickets and paid for them. Nothing doing was I going to be able to print on line-so they have been sent to England. With the final button push the system dropped out a line of the address making the likelihood of them turning up incredibly remote. How can I contact SNCF, before they issue the tickets to ensure the address is corrected. have tried the phone number given on this post- not for voyages I was told, and I couldn't comprehend the new number I was given ??36 35# 77

MorganB

There's really not much you can do . I think its all automatic. Just keep an eye on the mail box and cross your fingers.

hax

Morgan B,
Thank you, thank you for this helpful information. Thanks to you, I was able to reserve PREMS (four tickets) from Paris to Avignon and from Nice to Paris without any trouble. I chose to print later as I was out of town on the date 90 days prior to travel, and I am relieved to report that I was just now able to print them out using Internet Explorer as my browser, again with no troouble. (Some previous posters had trouble with this browser.) Without your post, I would have been clueless. Thanks again!

MorganB

Hi Hax. I am glad to hear you were able to reserve and that you found the post helpful. Have a great trip!

PalQ

Monsieur MorganB: do you know if they still have "sur reservation" tickets on TGVs and trains requiring reservations - these tickets which existed several years ago would be sold on full trains to make up for no-shows - used to be in the TGV fiche literature but can't see references to it now. Merci in advance.

MorganB

Yes I still see them from time to time. The system will just show sur reservation rather than giving a seat assignment when you book online. Price is the same. You probably already know that you just ask the controlleur and he/she will try and find you a seat. Of course if there is no seat then you have to sit in the bar or in the hall somewhere.

averyjade

I am trying to figure out what a "family compartment" is, I am looking to book La Rochelle - Cannes, 1st class, overnight sleeper for 2 adult and one 5 year old child. A picture of a teddy bear shows up with no explanation. Does any one know what that is. I don't want a 4 person Couchette. Also th green shamrock for insurance, does that cover PREM seats also?

MorganB

If you take insurance the tickets MUST be mailed so you would need to find someone in France willing to accept them for you. I havent really taken couchettes but usually when you are making the reservation if you click to select seat type it will tell you if it is a 4 person couchette or not. I can check if you give me more detail as I dont see a direct night train. What times / train numbers / dates are you looking at?

MorganB

IF you are talking about the Corail Lunea, there are couchettes in first for 4 people or there are "voiture-lit" for one or two people. The voiture-lit do not appear to be bookable via the net so you would need to call. Not sure if they will accept a child of 5 in a Voiture Lit for 2 as it says only children under 5 can travel without an assigned space.

33 8 92 35 35 35 (French)
33 8 92 35 35 37 (Italian)
33 8 92 35 35 38 (Spanish)
33 8 92 35 35 39 (English)

averyjade

Thank you Morgan for your help. I copied the info from the sncf site to show you what I get. It doesn't show the picture of the bear. I actually want to go the following week but it isn't available yet. Thank you for the phone numbers, I will give them a call. If I find out I will let you know what that means.

1 OUTWARD JOURNEY available for Saturday 08/07

Sort by: Price Journey time Time of departure Time of arrival

Departure and destination stations Times Train(s) Facilities Journey time: 11h35

LA ROCHELLE VILLE 22h08 4625 First Class - Non Smoking Options

CANNES GARE 09h43 Reservation required
First Class couchette 523.20 € • REGULAR FARE. : Exchangeable and Refundable.

MorganB

I think the teddy bear just means a comfortable sleep and is part of the Lunea logo but I could be wrong. Found the train and it is indeed Lunea service which is good as those are upgraded over the standard night trains.

DeborahAnn

I just wanted to let it be known that iDTGV did credit my visa card for the amount of a double charge. I actually made out a little better because the value of the dollar was a bit stronger Contacting iDTGV through their posted email address was all it took. Deborah

maitaitom

Morgan, great info you've put together. Here is my question...

My wife, her friend and I are considering taking the overnight train from Paris to Venice in December.

In a trial booking today, I tried to book a few months out. It shows a four person couchette, while I want a T3 sleeper (I believe). I was unable to click on anything (or could not find) to try and book a T3 sleeper. It shows a special Mini C rate of 210E for a first class couchette - 4 person) Do you know what I am doing incorrectly?

Once again, thanks for the wealth of info.

jaa37

Morgan, thanks so much. Quick question: if we run a search for our date of departure, and the results only show "Regular Fare" tickets, does that mean that there are no cheaper fares available (i.e., PREMs, for example)?

MorganB

MaiTaiTom, your in luck! I just happened to be going to pick up SNCF tickets today so I inquired for you. The T3 arrangement is 2nd class, not first. 2nd is T3 and 6 person couchettes and first is T2 and 4 person couchettes. The price for T3 is 120 euros per person. I dont really see a way to book it on the net however so you might have to call the phone number i mentioned earlier in this post.

Jaa37, it could mean that the discount fares are sold out or it could also mean that there is no Prem fare offered on that route. Prems are only on select routes.

jaa37

Thanks -- so I guess I'll just go ahead and book the full fare tickets. You've been a real help!

maitaitom

Morgan...Thanks for the info.

What I gather then is there is no Sleeper car that accomodates just three persons. We would be in the couchette with other people. I appreciate you asking for me. Have a great trip.