I tried to call to make reservations on a TGV train from Paris CDG to Avignon using the<BR>number published on the sncf webpage for Engligh. Every time I call they say all there operators are busy (and you can't hold on). Has anyone had sucess using the phone number for engligh and if so what time of day did you call? I tried about 3PM EST on a Friday. I don't want to try calling over and over again as it can get expensive.<BR>

Why don't you just book online without having to speak to an operator? It's very easy, you pay with a credit card and pick up your tickets when you arrive at CDG. Just be sure you have the credit card you used to show at time of pick up.

I agree with Mary about booking on line. I made my reservations last month for my May TGV tickets Paris to Avignon. Very easy to do and all I now need to do is take my confirmation letter (received via email) and pick up my tickets at any ticket office showing the credit card I used to make the reservations.

Thanks I thought about that but there are 7 of us traveling (3 adults 2children &lt;12 years and 2 seniors)I thought I would purchase 2 en fant cards since it appears cheaper but with 7 of us it became complicated to do it on the web site. Also I seem to behaving problems adding passengers. I also had a question to ask them , we are flying into CDG and taking the train to Avignon. I was allowing at least 2 hours between our arrival and the train but what if the plane is late? Would I be able to get a refund or at least get a credit to use on the next avialable TGV? With all this I thought it would be easier to call.

I haven't tried and can only say that I have read a couple posts, probably on here, from folks who have had success using that number. I would definitely try a better time of day as it sounds like you were calling them at 3 am their time when I expect there aren't very many operators working. Perhaps your phone plan isn't expensive, but usually that would be peak cost to call, also. If I were you, I'd try calling when it is normal working hours in Paris, or at least early evening. YOu might try about 1-2 am your time, or sometime in your morning, like around 10 am.

Last year we had a rail pass for France, but we booked our train (TGV) reservations from the US before our trip through Rail Europe at 800-237-2747.

Beth,<BR>I ordered my TGV tickets by phone a couple of weeks ago. Initially had the same problem as you (couldn't get thru). I think it was busy commute hours in France. However, I waited until 7 pm (France time) and got thru without any difficulty. I understand they are open till 10 pm, so I'd definitely try a little later in the evening.<BR>Got my tickets mailed to me in the US within 1 week. Tickets are not refundable, but if you bring the credit card you used to purchase them, you can exchange for a different time (in case you miss your scheduled train)

AFAIK, SNCF tickets are refundable (except for the special fares tied to an advance reservation, like J30 tickets which are only partly refundable). The reservation isn't refundable. Thalys and Eurostar tickets aren't refundable (or at least not wholly refundable).<BR><BR>And anyway, a ticket isn't tied to a given schedule. If you don't use your Paris---&gt;Avignon ticket, you can still use it on another train one hour or one week later. But you need to buy a new seat reservation.

AFAIK, SNCF tickets are refundable (except for the special fares tied to an advance reservation, like J30 tickets which are only partly refundable). The reservation isn't refundable. Thalys and Eurostar tickets aren't refundable (or at least not wholly refundable).

We just came back from France and we took the TGV from Paris to Avignon. We booked off the SNCF website in advance and it was very easy. We reserved with a credit card in advance and when we went to Gare de Lyon, walked up to a ticket counter, they had our reservation in the computer, handed them the credit card used to reserve the ticket and they handed us the tickets. Took about 2 minutes. I would not hesitate to reserve online