Prem Fares
Aug 9th, 2007, 01:45 PM
#1
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Prem Fares
We are traveling in Europe this fall( Sept & Oct ) Want to travel from Brussels to Paris on Oct 27th. would like to know the procedure to see if a Prem ticket would be available through the french train network, also I gather that this Prem fare is only available in France ?
Thanks, F. Currie
Thanks, F. Currie
Aug 9th, 2007, 01:59 PM
#2
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Do a search on here for MorganB's instructions for the SCNF. It is a long thread, but chuck full of great information. I used it and bought our PREM fare tickets for our trip this summer and saved a bundle this way!
Aug 9th, 2007, 02:00 PM
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yes, they are only in France. There are some other special fares for trains going into France that start in some other countries, though.
Basically, you have to go to the French railway website (www.voyages-sncf.com) and check the time and dates of the route you want, and see what prices come up and what discounts. If there are any special fares on that date between those points, it will show them. I doubt if there will be any reat deals on that.
Basically, you have to go to the French railway website (www.voyages-sncf.com) and check the time and dates of the route you want, and see what prices come up and what discounts. If there are any special fares on that date between those points, it will show them. I doubt if there will be any reat deals on that.
Aug 9th, 2007, 09:04 PM
#4
The international TGV lines have Prem's fares, although they may not use the same terminology. Earlier this year, there was a big sale for Paris-Brussels and Paris-Amsterdam (or the reverse direction) for only 10 euros (it was the anniversary of the Thalys). No matter what, if www.voyages-sncf.com has a cheap fare available for when and where you want to travel, it will show up.
Aug 10th, 2007, 07:19 AM
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There are two ways to save money when traveling between Brussels and Paris by train.
1. Book far enoough in advance (up to 90 days) at sncf.com to get a Smilys fare. You have to book a roundtrip ticket, but the total (€54) is less than a one-way ticket (€78). Book an arbitrary return date and throw away the unused portion. Leave France as the default country as if you were going to pick up your tickets there even though you'll be departng from Brussels, do NOT choose cancellation insurance, and print your own ticket.
2. Take regional trains from Brussels to Lille. Book a Lille-Paris TGV far enough in advance to get a PREM'S fare. Again, leave France as the default country, do NOT choose cancellation insurance, and print your own ticket.
Go to www.bahn.de to see timetables for the whole route, either direct or via Lille. Click on "Internat. Guests" for English. After you get summary timetables, click on "Details for all" to see connecting points, if any.
1. Book far enoough in advance (up to 90 days) at sncf.com to get a Smilys fare. You have to book a roundtrip ticket, but the total (€54) is less than a one-way ticket (€78). Book an arbitrary return date and throw away the unused portion. Leave France as the default country as if you were going to pick up your tickets there even though you'll be departng from Brussels, do NOT choose cancellation insurance, and print your own ticket.
2. Take regional trains from Brussels to Lille. Book a Lille-Paris TGV far enough in advance to get a PREM'S fare. Again, leave France as the default country, do NOT choose cancellation insurance, and print your own ticket.
Go to www.bahn.de to see timetables for the whole route, either direct or via Lille. Click on "Internat. Guests" for English. After you get summary timetables, click on "Details for all" to see connecting points, if any.
Aug 10th, 2007, 07:28 AM
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can also check www.thalys.com for Brussels-Paris fares on Thalys trains, which are the only trains running the route. Of course check www.voyages-sncf.com like instructed above.
The Lille route is often a cheaper if not longer alternative to Thalys fares if you can't snag the elusive SMILYS fare (chose a mid-week day for best chance) but takes significantly longer and you must change trains once or twice.
The Lille route is often a cheaper if not longer alternative to Thalys fares if you can't snag the elusive SMILYS fare (chose a mid-week day for best chance) but takes significantly longer and you must change trains once or twice.
