Printing SNCF tickets???
 

Can you print Eurostar tickets (Paris-London)? It didn't seem to be listed among the possibilities.

The site also says you have to use that funky A4 format paper (slightly narrower and longer than 8 1/2 x 11). Anyone had problems with tickets printed on "regular" paper?

I did not know A4 is a "funky" format. It is the most common standard format here in Europe. Not in USA?

I'm a first timer for printing the TGV tix; I evidently didn't read the bit about the paper size. The tix look ok; I'll find out in May if they work. :-)
Good luck!

I have deduced that you can only print tickets that are discount and NON-refundable/NON-exchangeable, ie. Smilys

Wonder if that is a true statement? It is, based on my purchases for Ams-Paris (printable), Paris-St Pierre des Corp (not printable).

That's what I've read. I imagine it is true, it makes sense -- you can turn in a real paper SNCF ticket and get a refund, so if they allowed you to print your own tickets for all kinds that were refundable, I imagine there would be tons of fraud as it would be pretty easy to fake.

Yes, it's true you can only print the non-exchangable, non-refundable tickets. I've printed loads of PREMs tickets and never had a problem with the U.S. paper size.

Thanks, guys, that makes a lot of sense about the discountable tickets. Sorry if I seemed chauvinistic about the A4 paper. It is frustrating to try to file that size in standard American file folders.

Can I just clarify? Those of you who have done this, did you print from home before you left? I always thought US residents had to claim their tickets in France, even if they reserve at home. If I can print it here, that's wonderful.

IF the option is to print it yourself, then you do just that -print on your home or office printer, using normal-size paper, plain copy. When we showed our pages to the conductor, he did check against our passport.

IF the option given was to pick up at a station or boutique, then the ticket is a 'real' ticket that will be printed when you go to get them.

The only time you are offered the choice to print yourself is if the fare was discounted.

p.s. I bought tickets for a day-trip to Rouen next month. I paid online and chose 'mail' (since they're refundable, I figured I'd try it). I ordered and paid on July 31, and on Aug 6th, they were in my mailbox.

The mailing address I used was (disguised to protect the guilty):
Travelnut
1234 Main Street
Big City, Florida USA
FRANCE

It cost them 000,53€ postage. I make no claims as to whether this works so well every time, so try only at your own risk.

I too printed my (PREM) ticket at home on my regular old 8.5" by 11" paper. (Didn't even notice the A4 specification.) Anyway, the ticket worked just fine.

rsb99, everything that Travelnut describes is correct. I just completed my journeys a few weeks ago. I had bought and printed my PREM (discounted tickets) online. Only PREM tickets you're allowed to print out. You print them on any type of blank, white paper.

Most likely you'll reserve your seat and when you get to it there will be a small ticket inserted above the seat with your name and destination shown on it. This way the conductor will know to ask you for your PREM ticket. You present the PREM ticket with your passport; the conductor checks your passport info. against what's on your ticket: name and birthdate. Aferwards, he will validate it and hand it back to you. It was very easy.

THANK YOU for your quick and helpful responses!