TGV train Paris to Avignon and back
Feb 5th, 2002, 09:33 AM
#21
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Monica, that's why I told you to read the terms of use. You cannot book from the US way ahead of time due to the time frame of when you must pick up tickets. You can put in France for ticket pickup (you have to, you can't have them delivered to US), but you must pick them up within the frame they tell you. You cannot order and prepay from the US way ahead of time as you've noted, they don't list the US as an option because you can't. I have done this so an familiar with the rules. Basically, you will probably have to fall into the category of having to pick up within 7 days of your online reservation date (this is the requirement for bookings 9-62 days ahead). That's why I said to do it about a week before you go. There is some risk of no seats at that point, of course. You have a choice of taking that risk or paying Raileurope's markup. If I were you, I'd compare Raileurope's fare to the fare for booking a week ahead if you can figure that out and see whether it is worth the difference to risk not getting a seat. I booked online for an Avignon-Paris TGV last July, placed my order about 1 week before getting to France, but for tickets about 3 wks out--I got a J8 discount fare (reserving 8-60 days prior), but picked up my tickets in Aix within 7 days of reserving online. In retrospect, I did save about $25 over Raileurope, but I'm not sure it was worth it as it took about an hour of my time getting them at the Aix railstation which is small and has very long lines. It really wouldn't have been worth it if I hadn't gotten a seat, but my dates were nothing unusual. If you do reserve online and pick up within a week, you must be sure to take copies of ALL documentaiton with you, a printout of the page when you made the reservation and a copy of the email they send you in notification, it has a key password on it. Sounds like you should only need your personal ID and they could look it up, but they couldn't.
Feb 5th, 2002, 09:56 AM
#22
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The way I am reading the terms and conditions is this:
As long as you PRE-PAY (the second option, not just reserve) it doesn't matter where you are from, and can be picked up until time of departure.
"Holders of foreign-issued credit cards may collect prepaid orders from SNCF outlets and train stations by presenting the same card as that used for their booking.
Prepaid orders cannot be collected from travel agents.
Prepayment allows you to collect your order at any time — right up to your train's departure time. "
As long as you PRE-PAY (the second option, not just reserve) it doesn't matter where you are from, and can be picked up until time of departure.
"Holders of foreign-issued credit cards may collect prepaid orders from SNCF outlets and train stations by presenting the same card as that used for their booking.
Prepaid orders cannot be collected from travel agents.
Prepayment allows you to collect your order at any time — right up to your train's departure time. "
Feb 5th, 2002, 11:48 AM
#23
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Christina, I know that I can’t have the tickets mailed to me, which is why I’m trying to get the information to do this on line and pick them up when I get to Paris.
I emailed SNCF today and this the response I just received (which Kelly also stated pretty much the same information):
“Now on our server, you can reserve and pay on our server with a payment system. You can withdraw in a French railway station your ticket just before the departure of your train. You have to choose a withdraw in France. I inform you that the bank card used for the payment is necessary when you withdraw your tickets at the SNCF desk. The payment is only accepted over 100FF and under 5000F. The bank cards accepted are: The French bank cards The bank cards Eurocard, Mastercard and Visa (except Diners Club and American Express cards). The tickets can be picked up in France at any SNCF desk ( CDG Airport,
Paris Montparnasse...).”
Thanks everyone!
I emailed SNCF today and this the response I just received (which Kelly also stated pretty much the same information):
“Now on our server, you can reserve and pay on our server with a payment system. You can withdraw in a French railway station your ticket just before the departure of your train. You have to choose a withdraw in France. I inform you that the bank card used for the payment is necessary when you withdraw your tickets at the SNCF desk. The payment is only accepted over 100FF and under 5000F. The bank cards accepted are: The French bank cards The bank cards Eurocard, Mastercard and Visa (except Diners Club and American Express cards). The tickets can be picked up in France at any SNCF desk ( CDG Airport,
Paris Montparnasse...).”
Thanks everyone!
Mar 19th, 2002, 08:25 AM
#24
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I just wanted to let folks know that I was able to purchase my TGV tickets for May online at sncf.com. It was very easy and all I have to do now is pick up the tickets at any ticket office in Paris and show them my confirmation letter I received via email. FYI, the tickets were 187.40 Euros for the two of us, round trip, so that's about $42 per ride, pp.
Mar 19th, 2002, 11:41 AM
#27
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Ok, I think I have it.
The options are:
1. prepaid mail-order - not available to residents of US/Canada (need to use Rail Europe if want this option)
2. Prepaid and pick up in France any time prior to departure - available if you stipulate at what station you'll pick up the tickets. However, only full fare tickets possible - special discount tickets like J8 or J30 can't be done this way.
3. Pre-reserve but pay and pick up in France within 7 days of ordering tickets - possible for all fare types, but note that J8 and J30 tickets must be picked up within 7 days of ordering AND 8 days, or 30 days, respectively of the journey date.
I sure hope I got it right, someone correct me if I'm wrong.
The options are:
1. prepaid mail-order - not available to residents of US/Canada (need to use Rail Europe if want this option)
2. Prepaid and pick up in France any time prior to departure - available if you stipulate at what station you'll pick up the tickets. However, only full fare tickets possible - special discount tickets like J8 or J30 can't be done this way.
3. Pre-reserve but pay and pick up in France within 7 days of ordering tickets - possible for all fare types, but note that J8 and J30 tickets must be picked up within 7 days of ordering AND 8 days, or 30 days, respectively of the journey date.
I sure hope I got it right, someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Mar 19th, 2002, 01:12 PM
#28
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Sue, you have some of that wrong:
1. prepaid mail-order - not available to residents of US/Canada (need to use Rail Europe if want this option). CORRECT.
2. Prepaid and pick up in France any time prior to departure - available if you stipulate at what station you'll pick up the tickets. INCORRECT. You just need to order on line and bring with you your confirmation letter (sent to you via email) to any SNCF outlet, as well as the credit card you use on line to order/pay for your tickets. For me, I'll pick mine up at the ticket office at the airport.
However, only full fare tickets possible - special discount tickets like J8 or J30 can't be done this way. INCORRECT. My return ticket is a J30, so again, I can pick up the tickets anytime before departure at any location.
3. Pre-reserve but pay and pick up in France within 7 days of ordering tickets CORRECT. - possible for all fare types, but note that J8 and J30 tickets must be picked up within 7 days of ordering AND 8 days, or 30 days, respectively of the journey date. Not sure about this last portion.
In any case, order on line and pick up when you get to Paris.
I hope this helps!
1. prepaid mail-order - not available to residents of US/Canada (need to use Rail Europe if want this option). CORRECT.
2. Prepaid and pick up in France any time prior to departure - available if you stipulate at what station you'll pick up the tickets. INCORRECT. You just need to order on line and bring with you your confirmation letter (sent to you via email) to any SNCF outlet, as well as the credit card you use on line to order/pay for your tickets. For me, I'll pick mine up at the ticket office at the airport.
However, only full fare tickets possible - special discount tickets like J8 or J30 can't be done this way. INCORRECT. My return ticket is a J30, so again, I can pick up the tickets anytime before departure at any location.
3. Pre-reserve but pay and pick up in France within 7 days of ordering tickets CORRECT. - possible for all fare types, but note that J8 and J30 tickets must be picked up within 7 days of ordering AND 8 days, or 30 days, respectively of the journey date. Not sure about this last portion.
In any case, order on line and pick up when you get to Paris.
I hope this helps!
Come visit the east coast someday!
Mar 20th, 2002, 03:48 PM
#31
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You can buy the TGV tickets from an international English phone line to SNCF and charge them and have them delivered to you in the U.S. I just received my tickets- no problem. The number is 33892353539. Need to dial the international code011 but no 1. The line is open 7am-10pm French time. I think you can order any time- not just 60 days ahead as required on the website.When I tried to order on the website more that 60 days ahead it states that it is sold out... so you have to book the outgoing and incoming tickets both 60 days ahead. On the phone you can book as far ahead as you want.Saved lots of money. Hope this helps. Diane
Mar 21st, 2002, 04:32 AM
#32
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Monica, thanks for the heads up about the J30 available prepaid.
The only thing one needs to consider is that like all discount fares, there are more restrictions - these tickets aren't exchangeable (makes sense, actually), and refunds are available only up to 4 days prior to departure date, with a 30 per cent of the face value of the tickets being charged as a fee. So, depending on one's need for flexibility, discount fares may or may not be a good deal, but it's nice to know the option is at least available.
Thanks again, and enjoy your trip!
The only thing one needs to consider is that like all discount fares, there are more restrictions - these tickets aren't exchangeable (makes sense, actually), and refunds are available only up to 4 days prior to departure date, with a 30 per cent of the face value of the tickets being charged as a fee. So, depending on one's need for flexibility, discount fares may or may not be a good deal, but it's nice to know the option is at least available.
Thanks again, and enjoy your trip!
Mar 21st, 2002, 10:53 AM
#33
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Hi Sue,
Since my plans are set to head to Avignon and back to Paris on certain days, I was confident to book ahead of time. Plus after reading other comments that the TGV can sell out quickly, I didn’t to take the chance that I might not be able to travel the on my specific dates. That would screw up my hotel reservations if I have to change dates. When are you heading to Paris? Enjoy your trip too!
Since my plans are set to head to Avignon and back to Paris on certain days, I was confident to book ahead of time. Plus after reading other comments that the TGV can sell out quickly, I didn’t to take the chance that I might not be able to travel the on my specific dates. That would screw up my hotel reservations if I have to change dates. When are you heading to Paris? Enjoy your trip too!
