1. The SNCF will allow me to buy Prem tickets for May 1 now (90 Euros one way). Is the point that the will become cheaper within 60 days?
2. Can persons over 60 take advantage of seniors' fares or do we need a France issued card?
3. Any advantage to First class over second?
4. Closser station to Hotel La Residence in Lyon - Perrache or Part Dieu? Walkable?
Thanks for sharing your expertise.

90€ is high. I would wait for the 60 day period and see if some deals are coming up.

I did a quick check and found a PREMS fare for May 1 for E25. The senior's fare (no card needed) is E44. PREMS fares are the same for everyone, regardless of age. They're cheapest when the 90-day window for ordering opens. Then they get more expensive as time goes by until they're gone altogether and you have to pay the full price. Book now! There are advantages to first class on night trains (4-person rather than 6-person couchette), but the only thing you get on a day train is more leg room and fewer people per car.

There seems to be conflicting information. 60 day or 90 day window?

Until a few months ago, online orders could not be placed more than 60 days in advance. That has now changed to 90 days. Again, the longer you wait, the more you will pay. There are limited numbers of discount seats available. When they're gone, they're gone.

first class is 2 seats/aisle/1 seat vs 2 and 2 sor seats are bigger and more confortable. Also quieter. that's it however.

I believe it is a 3 month window - not 90 days. Also remember, the US (except Hawaii & Alaska) is 6 to 9 hrs behind France, so you can order tickets now for May 3.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for the clarification.
Does anyone know which Lyon station is closer to Hotel La Residence, 18 rue Victor Hugo?

Perrache is much closer. If you can't take the TGV to Perrache directly, take it to Part Dieu. There is usually a train leaving in 20 mins or so for the 10 min ride to Perrache.

If you have lots of luggage, consider taking a taxi from part Dieu to your hotel. We walked from Perrache, but we only had an overnight bag packed - it's about a 15 min walk.

Stu Dudley

Lyon has two TGV stations, Part-Dieu is in the city and Saint-Exupery TGV is 24 km outside the city near the airport. The regional train station, Perrache, is near Part-Dieu.

Looks like Perrache is closer but still 10 blocks or so. I know we stayed at a hotel that was attached to one of the stations in Lyon, but I didn't book it & I don't remember which one. It was convenient though, as I had a group of 20 following me around.

Ian

Michael, TimS,benjino, StuDudley, Ian... Thanks very much. You guys are great. We ordered and printed out 2 Prem tickets, Paris to Parrache @ 45 Euros each. It would have been super intimidating without the help of people on this site.

You can easily walk to La Residence Hotel from Perraches, if you don't have heavy baggage to carry. La Residence is straight ahead on that main pedestrian street as you leave the station. I didn't stay there, but was looking for that hotel as I almost did and was curious how far it was. I stayed at Hotel Des Artistes, which is further, and I was tired of the walk by the time
I got there, but not to La Residence.

FYI I was in Lyon on May 1st, 2004. The public transit system was completely shut down for the holiday. Not a subway, tram, funicular or bus running anywhere.

>> Not a subway, tram, funicular or bus running anywhere.<<

And I bet all the stores were closed also. Many restaurants too.

Stu Dudley

Hotel Residence is within easy walking distance from Perrache. It's basically a straight line along a pedestrian street.

Indy is right that most shops will be closed and public transport service extremely limited in Lyon on May 1. Some bars, restaurants and cinemas will be open though, and perhaps a few shops in touristy areas like Vieux Lyon.

Weather is usually nice at that time of year though and the city's pleasant to stroll through, even when things are closed.

A few clarifications.

I think OP bougth Prems' 1st class that is offered at €45 per person. There are till 2nd cls tickets for €25.

Sombody said there were two TGV stations in Lyon (Part-Dieu and St.E TGV)but this is misleading because Many TGV go to Perrache too. e.g. Paris-Lyon TGV are mostly (or always?) to Perrache direct (stop at P.D. too though).

I agree with most posters above about distance Perrache - Résidence. I stayed there once. It does not take 15 minute. With luggage you can handle, that's less than 10 minutes, easily, on Av.(rue?)V.Hugo. I do it in 5 minutes with my usual overnight bag.