SNCF online purchase - AAARRRGGGHHHH!
 

Ok. Am trying to purchase train roundtrip tix online, Paris to Bruges on Sept. 20. I can't seem to get the option to print tickets at home. I've read every thread on the subject, and I'm at a loss. I didn't see where there was an option for cancellation insurance, so I don't think that's the problem.

Everything is fine till I get to the order page - no option for print at home. I can't move beyond this page because of the required address fields (for France). Any suggestions would be most helpful as we are pulling our hair out.

Thanks!

Other posters probably know more but I think that to print them at home:

1--they have to be non-refundable prem tkts
2--it can only be a maximum of 60 days ahead of your travel dates
3--Sept 20 is more than 60 days ahead.

You can always opt for picking them up at the station, which, of course means any station, and just get them after your arrival in France.

BUT you will need to present the same card you used to buy the tickets.

MorganB has put together a wonderful how-to for the sncf site. Just do a search here for his name and you will find much useful information that I think will answer your questions.

Why not just order your tickets over the phone? I just recived mine in the mail a week after the call.

Sept 20 is available (socialworker it is 90 days not 60)for 33.70€. I didn't find the "print" option and I suppose it is because you'll have 2 tickets.

The trip is not direct and the Prems ticket applies only on the 1st part from Paris to Lille and then it is a TER to Bruges with a normal ticket(not printable). Then you'll have 2 tickets.

I checked by taking a ticket Paris Lille, chose a prem's (20€) and was able to print it.(they ask you for cancellation insurance there).
Now you can always print the prem's ticket, order the second one and get it at Lille station (allow some time between train connections then)

Voilà! :-d
coco

Are you sure the timeframe is 60 days? I was told (here) very recently that for Prems the timeframe is 90 days.

>Now you can always print the prem's ticket, order the second one and get it at Lille station (allow some time between train connections then)

Easier option would be simply buying the Lille-Bruges ticket when you are in Paris. Since it is a TER you won't be able to reserve seats or do anything else that makes booking in advance justified.

Yes Dukey, I mentioned it in the beginning of my message.

Dukey, it used to be 60 days till about year ago. Now you can get it 90 days in advance.

... A year ago.

Coco and Kappa..thanks for that clarification...am sorry I read the messages too quickly and my apologies for repeating unnecessary information.

As I so prudently advised--other posters would know more than I !! :) It is good to know of that change from 60 -90 days...the last time I bought tkts and printed them was 2004 and apparently requirements have changed in the interim.

Hi jb,

You can buy your 20E ticket to Lille Flandres and print it online.

You can buy your 14E ticket to Bruges and have it mailed to you c/o your hotel.

((I))

> my apologies for repeating unnecessary information ..

Dukey, you asked a quesion and I provided with an answer. Nothing for you to apolgize at all.

Jbjayhawk, are you in the United States? SNCF tickets are available at www.raileurope.com. Perhaps this will help.

The RailEurope tickets will cost more than those ordered over the sncf site...good to know.

Thank you, Underhill.

Admittedly I have not taken the train much in France as I am usually only in Paris.

Is the website being discussed here www.sncf.fr? I ask because that site SEEMS to require an address outside the U.S. to use.

Aileron - Yes, the SNCF site is the one being discussed. US residents can use the site. To summarize what other posters have said above: If PREM (discount) tickets are available, customers print them themselves. Regular tickets are booked by selecting the option of picking them up in France at a station or ticket boutique or by having them mailed to an address in France (like a hotel).