Paris to Zurich Train Tickets
May 21st, 2011 | 01:52 PM
#2
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
Don't whatever you do buy from RailEurope.
Buy in advance using the SNCF website www.voyges-sncf.com but don't select USA as your country of origin (even if it is).
Cheap fares are available, book as early as you can.
Buy in advance using the SNCF website www.voyges-sncf.com but don't select USA as your country of origin (even if it is).
Cheap fares are available, book as early as you can.
May 22nd, 2011 | 01:22 AM
#4
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 0
Well, let's check the facts.
The price you'll pay at the station is 111 euros, the normal full-price aduult fare.
Picking a random date 2 months from now, 12 July:
At French railways' own English-language site, www.tgv-europe.com (Select 'Canada' if you're from the USA to avoid being bumped to Rail Europe) I'm seeing an advance purchase price of 62 euros (about $89) on the 08:24 from Paris to Zurich TGV, or 49 euros ($70) on the 10:24 to Zurich. No postage fees, no hidden extras, what you see is all you pay. You either self-print your tickets or collect them at the station.
Now we compare prices at www.raileurope.com for the same date and trains. It's showing $173 (120 euros) on the 08:24 and $77 (54 euros) on the 10:24. They charge a $7.95 fee for the actually free SNCF e-ticket service.
So price comparison time:
Train 1:
Rail Europe price (inc delivery): $180.95
True price direct from train operator: $89, free collection. Save $91 over the Rail Europe price.
Train 2:
Rail Europe price (inc delivery): $84.95
True price direct from train operator: $70, free collection.
The price you'll pay at the station is 111 euros, the normal full-price aduult fare.
Picking a random date 2 months from now, 12 July:
At French railways' own English-language site, www.tgv-europe.com (Select 'Canada' if you're from the USA to avoid being bumped to Rail Europe) I'm seeing an advance purchase price of 62 euros (about $89) on the 08:24 from Paris to Zurich TGV, or 49 euros ($70) on the 10:24 to Zurich. No postage fees, no hidden extras, what you see is all you pay. You either self-print your tickets or collect them at the station.
Now we compare prices at www.raileurope.com for the same date and trains. It's showing $173 (120 euros) on the 08:24 and $77 (54 euros) on the 10:24. They charge a $7.95 fee for the actually free SNCF e-ticket service.
So price comparison time:
Train 1:
Rail Europe price (inc delivery): $180.95
True price direct from train operator: $89, free collection. Save $91 over the Rail Europe price.
Train 2:
Rail Europe price (inc delivery): $84.95
True price direct from train operator: $70, free collection.
