suec1

Well let me say first of all, when I started going to Europe over 10 years ago, it seems the train ticketing was easier! but also I go to Italy alot and that country so far seems to have escaped all the new fare structuring! Now it seems every year I have to plan more or PAY more!

That being said, I am going from Paris to Amsterdam in May - can I purchase tickets ahead of time? on-line? which site? how far in advance? I don't think there are PREM fares, which I have used in the past in France, but I am not sure. Please help me save a few Euros! Thanks!

Travelnut

I always buy mine on www.sncf.com, and look for the "Smilys" rate, around 38€ each way. You have to buy round-trip, just toss the return if you don't need it. You can buy within a 90-day window.

kerouac

By booking online 3 months ahead of time, you will save a ton of money. Among the many promotions that occurred in 2007, there wre even Thalys tickets for 10€ from Paris to Amsterdam.

Robespierre

Geez. Why do I always have to travel when deals like that aren't on offer?

Oh. I have to travel. Still, we got 60€ Thalys PAR-CGN First Class last August. Nice ride.

PalenQ

smilys scheme is passe

as now thalys offers bargain one ways at 25 euros Par to amsterdam cheaper than smilys if only going one way

Travelnut

Do you click on something in particular on the Voyages sncf site to see that 10€ fare, or does it line up with all the other avail fares on the booking page? (Smilys, Librys, etc). Does the 10€ fare have a cute name similar to the Smilys..?

PalenQ

i think the ten euro fare perhaps is one of those special promos that comes up once in a while

like raileurope,s 16 fare a few years ago

the new 25 euro one way fare is called <mini< fare in the thalys brochure i just picked up in paris the other day

there is no mention of any ten euro fare in the brochure

hopscotch

mark