Hesitate to post here, but here goes....

We have booked train tix using the SCNF site (Rail Europe) many times in the past, however tonight I could not seem to lock in lowest prices offered. When I plugged in the departing city, arriving city, etc.. I was given a decent price (seniors discount), but when I actually tried to follow through with the booking the ultimate price was almost double? Suspect I am doing something wrong, but after multiple tries I just gave up. Also looks like the rail prices are much higher than last year.

It would be helpful to know which site you are indeed using. Generally the least expensive tickets known as PREMs are available on the SNCF websites (not necessarily Rail Europe which is not an SNCF website).

You might find PREMs on http://www.tgv-europe.com/. Select the UK as your country (just in case it is not).

The widest selection of tickets (including TER service) is found at http://www.voyages-sncf.com/ This site is only available in French but if you can use it, do so.

Hi,

I ued the www.voyages-sncf.com site a couple weeks ago and bought RT tickets from PAris to Avignon for a few days in a favorite spot of mine in Les Baux. Keep it in French..play with it a bit and I think you will figure it out. I paid for my tickets (good price), have the seats and confirmation and will go to a sncf boutique around the corner from my apartment to pick up the tickets upon arrival in Paris on 4/15. I am not going til the following week.

Come back if you have trouble..we will help you..

Joan

Your first sentence explains part of the problem. RailEurope most definitely is NOT a SNCF site, it's a North American travel agency and the site makes that pretty clear, even though you can buy French railtickets on it as well as many other countries (yes, I know SNCF has some part ownership of it, at least used to, but it is not SNCF). Now I believe if you insist on getting tickets IN North America (I mean where you retrieve them or obtain them), the real SNCF site does transfer you to Raileurope because they are an agency that will do that. SNCF will not send you tickets in North America.

But Raileurope has a phone number as far as I know (used to), so if you really wanted to buy from them, you wouldn't have to give up but could call them.

Maybe your results are just that the ultimate price was for two tickets, and the first price you saw was for one or something, don't know. I think only certain tickets are available for that senior discount, but I'm not sure.

It still does Christina. Rail Europe as it operates in the U.S. is a jointly owned subsidiary of the SNCF and Swiss Federal Railways. In the UK, Rail Europe operations are a wholly owned sub. Basically, the European lines have banded together to create an outlet for North American sales.

Barnum66,
As others have said, don't give up. Use the actual SNCF site. If you need help, there are plenty of people on this site that would be more than willing to help you.

Thanks all. I did indeed keep at it, and figured it out. The tix from Paris to Aix on RailEurope were $332 (Roundtrip for 2 Seniors). On the SCNF site they were $185. QUITE A DIFFERENCE. Have not ordered them, but will tomorrow.

I had entered 2nd class in the beginning and got the above fare. Can I assume that there is a second class on the TGV?

Keep in mind that discounted ticket prices can quickly disappear, even in front of your eyes. So if you know you want the tickets, and they are a discounted price, I'd buy them immediately.

What Will said. Remember that when it's 7:00 am in Texas it's already 1:00 pm in France. Lots of French or other Europeans could be scooping up those discounted fares before you get up in the morning. Do it now!

Hi B,

>Can I assume that there is a second class on the TGV?<

You may assume anything you wish, anytime, about anything.

Fortunately, in this case, you are correct.

Glad you kept at it and figured it out!!

Don't wait, as said..they change all the time!! If you see what you like, grab it!!

Joan

Has anyone encountered this problem on the SNCF website and if so have you found a way to get around it? I want to book a Paris-Amsterdam roundtrip for the weekend of May 8-10. When I search on the SNCF site it displays a range of different fares, but when I try selecting one of the cheaper fares I get a message saying "no train corresponds to your request." (I speak French, so it's not a language problem.) I can select the more-expensive fares without any difficulty, it's just the cheaper ones that won't work. I am guessing that the lower fares are sold out, but not sure.

Is there a way to find out if the seats face the way you are going when you reserve them? a seating chart?

sadly the sncf website doesn't seem to have this chart (which is weird if u ask me)... i have tried to find seating charts on the net, but findings have been inconclusive.
i was also asking this question on my other thread, apparently no one knows for sure...
do let me know if u find one! my tickets are classe 1, voiture 2, 33 and 34 coiture,fenetre
good luck!

yes! grab the cheap ones as soon as u see them!
i saw 45euro 1st class Prem tickets for 0946 and hesistated. the next day they were gone!! had to settle for the same type of tickets but at 0746 (when the prev day they were only 78!)

I was able to navigate the SCNF site in 2007 in English, and it was very easy to understand and use. Have they done away with that feature?

I will be purchasing the tickets today, and assume they will still mail them to me here in the states. If I run into questions I will be back to you folk quick. Thank you again for helping...

I lost out. The fare is gone, as you all predicted. I am in a quandry now. Might have to look for another town to pick up my car. Why has the site become so difficult?

Those tickets need to be picked up in a hurry..they change by the minute!

How about Avignon? That is where I will be picking up my car next month.

Joan

The site, www.voyages-sncf.com, is now available only in French. Tickets may be mailed but not outside of France. No problem because if you are able to purchase PREM fares, you can print them from your home computer. Otherwise you can pick up your tickets at any SNCF ticket window or boutique by providing:

1. the on line reservation number

2. the same credit card that was used to purchase the tickets on line.

I understand. After having no problem I am just disappointed in having so much problem. This USED TO BE the easiest part of the trip.

Have tried Avignon, etc.,and still now luck. Might have to reconsider our entire trip. Really disappointed in the SCNF site. It was so easy before....