Hello,

Thank you to everyone who posts information about trains in France. I've read all the recent posts and still have a few questions.

I'm trying to give 20 different people advice on how to get from Paris to Sarlat this summer.

From what I've read I think they should look for a PREM fare. These aren't available until 60 days out however and people are asking me lots of questions now.

With everyone coming into Paris at different times and going to different locations (some to Sarlat who aren't renting a car, some to Bergerac who are) we're trying to figure out the train thing so we can book rental cars.

So the question is: Can you view all available train schedules somewhere in order to figure our when trains leave from Paris and when they get to the various train stations on the other end? I'm just looking for a basic train schedule I guess...any leads?

Thanks.

Yes, go to: www.budgeteuropetravel.com and on their home page click on the link: "All European Train Schedules" and you'll instantly come up with the English page of the German Rail web site that gives schedules for all of Europe - you have ttwo stations to chose from - Paris Montparnasse for the fast TGV trains or Paris Austerlitz for slower trains taking different route. You may also consider the France Railpass where for around $200 ($250 in 1st class) you get four days on unlimited travel in a one-month period - if can't get PREM fares may be a good deal and can use on any train any time - the problem with booking PREM fares in conjunction with airport arrivals is to figure in late planes, etc. The normal Paris-Sarlat round trip full fare may well exceed the cost of the pass. For pass info Budget Europe (800-441-2387) are the experts to talk to. PREM fares can save money but in vagaries of getting them, etc. may or may not be worth the savings. To get to Bergerac or Sarlat by train you change off TGVs at Lilbourne to the sideline that goes via Bergerac and ends at Sarlat - no need to go to Bordeaux and backtrack thru Lilbourne.

Hi J,

For schedules and tickets, go to www.vayages-sncf.com.

Click "toutes nos offres Prems"

Hi PAL,

RT adult fare 2cl Paris/Perigueux via the TGV to Libourne is 142E.

PREMS fare is about 85E.

Ira: you made a typo in response to J - not vayages but of course www.voyages-sncf.com - maybe vayages is close enough for site to pop up but maybe not! Sounds like pt-pt cheaper in second class but probably the pass is cheaper in first class.

The above info should suit your purposes, and if the fare compares favorably, I would consider the idea of a four-day railpass for flexibility, if you intend any other rail trips.

I just wasn't sure you understand that there is no special guaranteed schedule for PREMs, they are special fares advertised on an ad hoc basis based on what SNCF thinks necessary to put on sale. They are regular trains that will be in the standard schedule. Some routes often have PREMs and are pretty predictable, and some routes never do.

Hi PAL,

Thanks for the correction.

The URL I typed leads one to some sort of dating agency.

Just to add, prems are available 90 days out now.

ttt