Short trip train tickets in France
 

After spending a few days in Riquewihr we will be catching a train back to Strasbourg. Should we buy our train tickets ahead of time or just wait until the day of our trip.
Will there be much difference in the cost?

You can find that out yourself by going to the SNCF site, putting it your itinerary for the next day or so and then for a day a couple months hence, and see if there is a difference in price.

Thanks Michael
I tried it previously on the TGV site and it crashed, had to restart my computer. I haven't used the SNCF site but I will give it a go.

Are you sure that there is a train to Riquewihr?

IIRC, there is a bus from Colmar.

((I))

Yes take a bus to nearby Colmar for trains to Strasbourg - these are mainly local trains that do not require seat reservations and probably none are even possible and there is a flat low-cost fare structure - there may be a small train station a few miles from the actual town of Riquewihr but the bus would still be more convenient if going from the town itself. Just buy that ticket once in Colmar - no need to buy ahead. Bus tickets may have to be bought in a tobacconist in Riqeuwihr - I do not know but often the case if the driver does not sell tickets - he may for all I know. I think the buses are sporadic so check schedules.

I'd use the TER SNCF site
http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/Alsace/fr/Default.aspx and set your google to autotranslate. Then look for the timetable map.

I't will be a Ira and PalenQ say but you have all the details there

For TER tickets, you just get them out of the machine and get on the train. No reservations or anything. They are commuter trains.

The SNCF runs quite a few bus lines where rail service has ended, so don't be surprised when you find out that your train is a bus.

Thank you all for your replies.
We will just buy our train tickets in Colmar. With it being a commuter train and no reservations it will suit us, as we hope to arrive in Colmar in the morning and spend the day looking around. Our main problem will be finding somewhere to store our luggage.

Hi A,

>Our main problem will be finding somewhere to store our luggage.<

I don't think that there is a place to store your luggage. Not at the train station, anyway.

How are you getting to Riquewihr?

Can you visit Colmar as a daytrip?

Have you made reservations at http://www.le-maximilien.com/ yet?

((I))

Hi Ira

That restaurant looks wonderful! Is booking ahead necessary?

We will have a rental car for our Riquewihr stay, this is where we are staying http://www.i-love-riquewihr.com/o_4-EN.html

We are due to drop the car back at the Europe car office in Colmar in the morning. Our plan was to spend the day in Colmar and then catch the train back to Strasbourg late afternoon.

Was hoping the station may have had lockers, maybe the car rental place would let us leave the bags there? Any suggestions?

Hi A,

>That restaurant looks wonderful! Is booking ahead necessary?
Highly recommended.

We will have a rental car for our Riquewihr stay, ......... maybe the car rental place would let us leave the bags there? Any suggestions?<

Highly likely the the rental office will let you leave your luggage while you visit Colmar.

Nice apt.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Thanks Ira

I have enjoyed reading your trip reports of the Alsace area and have used them in our planning.

I am getting excited as our trip draws nearer.

Colmar station facilites here http://www.gares-en-mouvement.com/fr/fraej/accueil/

Thanks bilboburgler - thats a good site lots of gares to research.

though stations like Colmar are probably still under the Vigipirate act of years ago that shuttered most coin lockers in train stations across France except a few huge stations with airport-like security sceening devices - but there is often some cafe or other establishment nearby that may accept bngs - I find these in tourist towns like Colmar where many tourists come thru - you could contact the Colmar Tourist Office to see about that.

Don't miss the copy of the Statue of Liberty that graces Colmar!

Yes PalenQ I will contact the tourist office, that is a good idea.
I had to google the Statue of Liberty in Colmar. I will try to get a pic with it, thanks for the hint.

I believe the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty was from Colmar and thus the relation!