lyn

We want to take the train from Basel to Lyon in July. Is it too early to book tickets?

On our last trip Pre-Covid the trains in Italy were jammed, but I don’t know what to expect now!
Thanks!

J62

No

Christina

Depends what "too early" means to you? If they are selling them, one could say no, it couldn't be too early, but not sure why you are asking. If your plans are up in the air, etc, and the type of ticket you book. If you pay for first class, the really high price (they have two types sometimes), I think it is een refundable. But you won't get that on that route, I imagine the first part is just a TER. I don't know how that works, maybe if you click that type of fare, even though you won't get a first class seat on the TER, the change terms remain.

So jut read the terms of the ticket and see if it works for you, otherwise, no reason not to book it if you really know you want that day/time.

I don't think you can reserve a seat on a TER anyway, and I'm not even sure they limit tickets on TERs. I was on a TER once from Basel actually that was so crowded people were standing in the aisles. So they weren't limiting tickets sold. That was unusual, there was some major soccer game people had attended, though, somewhere along that route and people were going home from it.

margo_oz

Tickets are available now and they won't get any cheaper.

Use https://www.sncf-connect.com/

1 change at Mulhouse.

neckervd

There is a fast (3 1/2 - 4 hrs) all but scenic route via Mulhouse and a longer, but much more scenic route via Lake Bienne - Lake Neuchatel - Lake Geneva (5 1/2 hrs).
https://www.raileurope.com/
https://www.sbb.ch/en/