Quick (and very general) rail question
 

Hello,

I have used many different configurations of rail passes over the years (Student Rail, InterRail, Eurail ect.), but this summer for the very first time, I will be using a very limited number of point to point tickets, specifically in France. So what follows is essentially are rookie questions.

My two questions are this:

1. If I buy a ticket via SCNF in advance that is not a TGV or other special train and that does not have a specific seat reservation, do I have to take that specific train or am I allowed to take any train on the date for which I purchased my ticket?

2. If my point to point ticket states: "Paris-Lyon", but I see an interesting town along the route, am I allowed to jump off (ala Eurail), spend some time, and jump on the next train going the exact same route as my original (ticketed, but not reserved) train?

These two questions sound very basic, are actually very related, and will probably be a snap for Fodors train experts

My experience has been that:

1. If you take any train other than the one you have a ticket for, you must exchange it at the window for a ticket that shows the actual train you are taking. I have missed a train and had to do this. I did not have to pay anything more for the same ticket, but that is not to say that you won't. Tickets are priced differently on different trains.

2. No, you can't just jump off at an intermediary stop, then get back on anaother train without paying. You can always get off early, but you'll need to purchase another ticket for the remainder of the trip, for the same reason as above - the ticket must have the number of the train on it.

Hi tim,

1. Your ticket is good for any train on that route.

2. Except for one train, where you have to change trains in Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy R, all Paris-Lyon is TGV.

(I have avoided answering because I am not sure. :) )

((I))

Hi, St Cirq,

I was under the impression that non-reserved seats are sold as open tickets.

It was a while ago, but one time we got on an earlier train than the one we had planned on and had no trouble.

Is this something new?

((I))

Hi tim,

I withdraw my answer.

St Cirq is correct.

See
http://www.voyages-sncf.com/info_res...guide/home.htm

((I))

Re Question no 2.

"Stop-overs en route: when purchasing your ticket, indicate that you want to make stop-overs en route and provide details on the duration and number of stop-overs envisaged. If your total travel duration does not exceed 24 hours, you will be issued with a single ticket for your entire trip. Where any stop-over exceeds 24 hours, or if the aggregate number of stop-overs made results in the validity period being exceeded, you will be issued with as many individual tickets as required. In this event, the price of each individual ticket will be determined separately".

Hi, ira:

Interesting info for question #2. I didn't know that you could indicate in advance you wanted to make a stopover and be issued a special ticket for that. Makes sense. I think the OP was thinking of just deciding on the spot to get off a train, but such a ticket would certainly work in case he did. I assume you wouldn't HAVE to make intermediate stops, though, even if issued such a ticket?

Thank you both (so far) for the answers and interesting discussion.

This is exactly the reason I (and so many others) rely on this board for help.

Thanks again!

A standard full-fare non-TGV train ticket in France is valid for two months from the time of purchase. Before starting your journey, you must stamp it in one of the orange machines on the stations; these stamp the ticket with codes indicating the station and date. The journey must then be completed on that date, but you can break the journey during the day. Fares are calculated from the distance and shorter journeys are relatively more expensive. Thus, for example, if you buy tickets for Paris-Caen and Caen-Bayeux, it will cost more than buying one ticket for Paris-Bayeux, but a Paris-Bayeux ticket will still allow you to spend a few hours in Caen before continuing to Bayeux. Note that very few French stations now do left luggage, so stopping off somewhere can be inconvenient as you'll have to carry your luggage around.