TGV 1st. Class Cheaper Than 2nd. For Real?
 

Checking TGV fares from Paris-Avignon and find 38Europ.p.p one way in 1st. and 40Euro in 2nd. Is this fare for real and has anybody a logical answer.

Some of these PREM first class fares may be cheaper but in effect there are far fewer available - only a certain number sold and none on peak trains whereas the 2 euro more 2nd class fare may be available more. Ordinarily first class is significantly higher except on these special deals which come with strings attached. The 40 euro second class is similarly a discounted ticket that also may have limited availability - you probably pay much more by just showing up at the station.

Are you saying those are the fares for the exact same train and time and date? No, I've never seen that.

I have seen fares very similar or even the same on some trains that are not in high demand on that route, such as ones around noon. But I've never seen the exact same train with a higher fare in second class. Could be a fluke by a few euro and it's one of those routes they are trying to fill.

Christina, yes on the same train and from my view point very hard to understand but this fare has been available for a few days now which seems to preclude a mistake in maybe someone reversed the prices.

It seems yeh they have so many seats in first class at 38 e and so many in 2nd class at 40 euros - both much cheaper than normal fare but probably only seats that they expect not to fill - why first class is 2 euro cheaper is a mystery but may be a comeon to make folks book far in advance just to get them and second class goes later.

Hi Corky,

I've seen it where 1cl has been 30% less than 2cl. I've seen one where a 1 cl double was cheaper than 2 berths in a T3 2cl.

This happens when the 2cl discount tickets have sold out and the 1cl discount tickets are still available.

It is definitely for real.

((I))

http://www.fodors.com/forums_reg/pgM...&start=100

Please see the posts from ewt and me on above thread. There is a case of PARIS-ROME 100E in 2nd and 60E in 1st class !

Kappa, yes checked your comments and similar situation as I found.
But from a business standpoint it makes no sense to advertise cheaper 1st.class and expect to sell 2nd. class at a higher price. Nevertheless i'm going ahead and book the 1st. class and at that price as it is cheaper than flying Easyjet from ORY-MRS.Train is 1 hour longer but more conveinent in that it leaves from Gare de Lyon closer to where we are staying.

That must be an iDTGV fare (http://www.idtgv.com). As seats are sold the fare goes up. There are like 12 fare levels for each class. That is the cheapest price for 1st, the cheapest price for 2nd is 19 euros or something like that. So that means that they have sold lots of second class seats but almost no first. Grab them while you can, its not a mistake.