Train Travel in France
 

I pre-purchased tickets online for train travel between Paris and Caen next month, but I must pick the tickets up at the train station. For those experienced in such things, how long in advance of departure should I arrive at the station, to be certain I get my tickets and make the train? We're leaving early in the morning. Thanks.

Depends on what station you're picking themup at, but I'd allow 45 minutes as a general rule. There are always windows designated for people whose trains are departing right away, but the lines can sometimes be rather long there. Won't take more than a minute to get your ticket once you hand over the confirmation, though.

If you happen to be near a train station you can always pick the tickets up before your day of departure.

Hi Steve,

If you bought your tickets over the SNCF website, you can print your ticket on your own computer, if you have a printer.

Steve/ira:

The only tickets you can print out on your own printer, as far as I know, are the PREMs tickets. For other tickets, you print out a confirmation number and take it to any station or SNCF boutique and either use the guichet automatique or stand in line at the ticket window.

Thanks everyone for those helpful replies.

Ira: I did indeed buy my tickets on the SNCF website, but I don't recall seeing the option for printing them myself. Where might I find this on the site?

OK, I just read StCirq's most recent message. If the self-print option does not work (I don't think we have PREMs - what does that stand for exactly?)then I will try the guichet automatique. I imagine they are in French exclusively. Are they tres difficile to use for those of us with limited French?

PREMs are special discounted tickets on major TGV routes - on the SNCF site, once you're into the Reservations screen, the are always listed on the top left of the screen.

The guichets automatiques scare me, and I don't have any problem with French.

Hi StCirq,

Thanks for correcting me.