Apparently to book advanced reservations for a Thalys round-trip Paris-Amsterdam in Sept, I have a choice of either paying 118 Euros ($151) on RailEurope's website (convenient because I believe they will mail the tickets to me) OR paying 107 Euros ($136) directly to NCCF on their website (inconvenient because they won't mail to the USA and I will have to stand in line somewhere--probably Gare du Nord--when I get to Paris, wondering all the while if they will really have my tickets).

I realize this is a subjective decision, and the approx $15 difference is not a deal-breaker, just irksome, but is there a third alternative I'm overlooking? I prefer having the tickets in my possession before I leave home.

Another oddity: I'm 60 yrs old, so RailEurope's more expensive alternative has me down for two one-way Senior Fares as the least expensive ticket, while NCCF's computer has me down for a "Mezzo Plus" return ticket as the least expensive--and also includes my seat reservations (car & seat, with choice of window/aisle). I can't find that RailEurope gives me the option to do that, which come to think of it may mean another line and fee for booking seats.

Enlightening info appreaciated, as always. Thanks. It's my understanding that this is a non-smoking train now, right? Thanks.

RE charges a service fee and the shipping fee, doesn't that increase the 'margin'..?

In Paris, you don't have to go to a train station to pick up tickets - you can go to one of about 50 office locations as well. I'll find one nearest your hotel.

p.s. you couldn't find a "Smilys" ticket on SNCF.com ? Those are 38€ each way, but nonrefund/nonexchange.

Thalys is non-smoking. To pick up your ticket at the station or boutique/office, bring your confirmation email + the credit card you charged it to. Don't buy the 'insurance' or the option to pick up at a station will not be displayed to you.

There should be a SNCF "boutique" at 54 blvd St Michel, near/next to the RER station Luxembourg. The next nearest might be at 18 rue du Pont Neuf, metro Chatelet...Offices open around 9am-6pm (7:45 weekdays) but closed on Sunday. Sometimes they might close for lunch.

If you want to find other alternatives, go here:
http://www.voyages-sncf.com/info_res...r/Adresses.htm

Many posters here have bought tickets online at www.sncf.com and picked up tickets with no problem, including myself.

Hi logan,

You can have your tickets mailed to you c/o your hotel.

Have you checked prices at www.sncf.com? They have SMILYS for 33E each way.

I vote no.

And see http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34844869

Best wishes,

Rex

You vote "no" to what, Rex? Unclear. I did read the postings you sent. Not pleasant, is it?

Travelnut, I owe you an agent's commission. If I had your email, I'd just address my questions to you. Your 2 locations for picking up my ticket are, as you said, convenient to where I'm staying. I'm now leaning toward risking doing it via SNCF and going there for pickup, although the links you both gave me are in French only, which I can read well enough but don't want to navigate through a purchase. The link I used earlier is in English.
I assume that eventually in the process of buying the ticket, it will ask me where I want to pick it up? Otherwise, I just go anywhere and it's in their computer?

There is no Smiley fare showing on my dates and time of day, by the way...must be only at certain times. 107 Euros for MetroPlus is the cheapest they show for my train numbers (9333 and 9324). Thanks to all for the help.

Don't know if this applies....senior fares on Thalys starts at age 60 and does not require advance purchase or return ticket purchase...

Might it be just as easy to stop off at the SNCF office and pick up the tickets at your leisure? (Think I saw something about a senior ticket in the thread)...

<< If I had your email, I'd just address my questions to you. >>

And then the whole point of this forum would fall apart, if everyone simply got e-mail addresses here, and corresponded privately.

I vote no... to the question in the message header.

You'll be asked eventually if you want to pick the ticket up at a ticket office and that's when you say "oui." They let YOU decide which office/boutique to use.

You can scroll down to the bottom left of the screen at www.sncf.com and change to English, and the entire transaction will flow in English. Leave the country as "France". Don't buy the insurance. Choose 'pick up at station'. You don't have to specify - just show up at any of the offices and they print the ticket then.
p.s. you might have to pull a number and wait for it to show on a display with the number of the the desk or window that will help you.

(Rex was linking you back to the person who got their tickets in advance and then lost them temporarily. Won't happen if you just have a confirmation to keep track of).

I am happy I could help someone. I have asked some strange questions in the past; someone always has an answer

For better or worse, I did it. Have "SNCF'd" my advance ticket reservation for the trip. I'm chancing 2nd class, so I hope there is room for luggage above the seat. I don't like the thought of leaving luggage out of sight at the end of the car.

As for retrieving my ticket once I arrive in Paris in Sept, won't there be a SNCF office at CDG? If it's near the RER station, I'll be able to pick it up there and save hassle later.

Yes, since you're going there anyway to buy the RER ticket. You might have to go to one office for the RER ticket and the one next to it for the Thalys ticket (welcome to France )

2nd class Thalys cars have a rack above your head for bags, and can hold carryon size suitcases (19-22&quot, backpacks, etc.

Hi L,

>I don't like the thought of leaving luggage out of sight at the end of the car.<

Would you like to buy a never-used bicycle cable to attach your luggage to the rack?

The only time anyone can make off with your luggage is when the train is in a station.

You won't stop until Brussells.

At that time, you can stand up and walk along with the folks getting off to check on your luggage.

Have a nice visit.

A bicycle cable? There's a thought, Ira; thanks. As a newly turned sexagenarian, I rode bicycles "back in the day" when thoughts of security never entered our minds. I've never used or even seen one up close. May go to Target this afternoon at look at 'em.

A bicycle cable is too heavy... if you really want a locking cable, find one that retracts and is a thin cable.
But you don't really need one on this route - it's eastern Europe or maybe southern Europe where train theft is more common.
Are you packing a large suitcase or equipment? If not, the overhead rack will be fine.

I had planned to check one squat, rather fat canvas-like suitcase on rollers for the trip (probably too fat for train overhead) plus taking a little over the shoulder carryon. I'm guessing the suitcase will be too fat for the overhead.

I took both on my last trip, but my main train travel was a 1st class overnight sleeper from Venice to Prague, and I had my own little compartment so it wasn't a problem. By the way, I have some decent travel notes on Venice & Prague including the name of a great guide in Prague, if anybody is going soon.

We lay our rolly bags down on the rack, so it has to be wide enough for that, say...14-16 inches?

Just measured the suitcase. It's about 25" long, 18 1/2" wide, and only about 10" deep. I guess I was assuming the width of the rack would not be a problem, that it would be the depth. True or false?

Seems like the <i>weight</i> might be the main problem. Huge, by my estimation - - fully loaded - - 50 or 60 pounds? Pack it full, then lift it over your head and walk around your home.

&gt;A bicycle cable is too heavy...

No it's not.