I had sent an email to the French web site
http://www.voyages-sncf.com/ to determine if I could use it and print out my tickets here in the US. The email I got back was not clear. Does anyone know if in fact I can pay for my train and print the tickets instead of picking them up at the station?

Thanks

We did this (printed the tickets at home) two years ago, without any problem.

For the most part you can't, except when you can. I assume that's why their reply was confusing.

Certain types of discount ticket can be printed at home, but only these. All other tickets need to be picked up at a station or "boutique" or posted to your home. AFAIK they won't mail to the US (assuming that's where you're from.)

As Pete-R above said, it depends on the tickets you are buying. Typically "prem's" tickets can be printed at home, others not. If the site gives you the print option, you can. If it doesn't, then you cannot.

yes, you can if the ticket allows it. I think that technically, they are not going to respond to you in a way you can understand for several reasons -- first, translation difficulties, second, it totally depends on the ticket; 3, I think SNCF doesn't ever encourage Americans to use their website or buy tickets from them directly.

If you know enough French to read the website, it would be clear if you could do this or not, as it would offer you the option before you ever gave them your CC.

I've also printed my PREMs here at home. MorganB has a thread here that is a fine 'how-to" guide for this.

It depends on what type of tickets you're buying. You can ALWAYS print out PREM tickets. Others, no. If you read French, it's obvious whether you have the imprimer option or not.

There are many SNCF Boutiques around Paris. I bought tickets online last Spring and then picked them up at the Boutique on St. Dominique, which was only a couple blocks from my apartment.

I will caution you though..look online for their locations and the one that will be near you for pickup. Check their open hours..they are NOT all the same! Also, I went to the one near me mid afternoon and it had many waiting. I left and returned at the posted hour of opening..there were already people in there. I only had to wait a couple minutes. I would suggest that you get there a little before posted opening time.

You may get PREMS and be able to print online, too.

Joan

If the site gives you the option of printing your ticket, you can do so anywhere in the world.