train travel on tvg
Mar 3rd, 2013, 04:01 PM
#2
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Yes, www.voyages-sncf.com or www.tgv-europe.com, but it's too early to book for June - you book 3 months out from your travel dates. And the TGV is a French train, not applicable for anywhere else, so you'll have to deal with the national rail systems for the other countries for those tickets.
There are MANY threads here about obtaining rail tickets in Europe. You should begin to familiarize yourself with them.
There are MANY threads here about obtaining rail tickets in Europe. You should begin to familiarize yourself with them.
Mar 3rd, 2013, 05:10 PM
#4
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ICE trains in and out of Germany are also very fast...(Inner City Express) we took this train from Amsterdam to Cologne and purchased in advance at a good savings.
http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/tra...ains-usa_LZ003
http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/tra...ains-usa_LZ003
Mar 3rd, 2013, 05:12 PM
#5
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I think saying you're from Australia will make you avoid Rail Europe, but I'm not sure, as I always use the site exclusively in French. As I mentioned, there are lots of threads here on Fodors explaining how to bypass RailEurope if you can't use the French site.
Mar 3rd, 2013, 10:31 PM
#8
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Actually you can book idTGV sooner then tgv. .We did and got a great deal, Paris to Nice 40 euros return for last summer.
www.idtgv.com/en/
I put in France for my country. printed tickets at home(which you HAVE to with idtgv, as its one of the reasons tickets are cheaper, more self serve so to speak.
With any train tickets in Europe we find booking as soon as tickets for date are released for sale gets best prices. I count back and mark dates on my calenders for booking Thalys, idtgv , sncf, Eurostar , whatever..
www.idtgv.com/en/
I put in France for my country. printed tickets at home(which you HAVE to with idtgv, as its one of the reasons tickets are cheaper, more self serve so to speak.
With any train tickets in Europe we find booking as soon as tickets for date are released for sale gets best prices. I count back and mark dates on my calenders for booking Thalys, idtgv , sncf, Eurostar , whatever..
Mar 4th, 2013, 12:58 AM
#10
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Caroline, I've booked train tickets for Europe many times from here in Australiia. I recommend that you spend plenty of time reading through the advice from www seat61.com
Mike has excellent reliable advice on this site. You can print out his step by step instructions for using the French SNCF website www.voyages-sncf, where the best prices are.
This makes it very easy to then use their site, even though its all in French. I would do a couple of practice runs with a fictitious time, just to get an idea how it works - this way you will feel more confident when you make your actual purchases.
You can go right through the process up to the point of making a payment, then just close out without actually buying anything.
Use a calendar to work out exactly 90 days from your date of travel - this is when the cheapest PREMS tickets are released. I then usually try to book a couple of days ahead of that 90 days out date; because we are in an earlier time zone, and because I've never worked out exactly what time of day seats are listed, it's an extra level of precaution! Di
Mike has excellent reliable advice on this site. You can print out his step by step instructions for using the French SNCF website www.voyages-sncf, where the best prices are.
This makes it very easy to then use their site, even though its all in French. I would do a couple of practice runs with a fictitious time, just to get an idea how it works - this way you will feel more confident when you make your actual purchases.
You can go right through the process up to the point of making a payment, then just close out without actually buying anything.
Use a calendar to work out exactly 90 days from your date of travel - this is when the cheapest PREMS tickets are released. I then usually try to book a couple of days ahead of that 90 days out date; because we are in an earlier time zone, and because I've never worked out exactly what time of day seats are listed, it's an extra level of precaution! Di
Mar 4th, 2013, 02:32 AM
#12
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From Aus aswell, Have always used tgv-europe site. Before your first purchase , make sure you check with your bank they have no security blocks for purchases in europe. I know someone who recently had problems with "verified by visa".
Print out your ticket and keep a pdf copy. Future access to yoru ticket is always available online
Print out your ticket and keep a pdf copy. Future access to yoru ticket is always available online
Mar 13th, 2013, 01:04 AM
#13
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Thanks di2315, read up on the site seat61.com and today booked my tgv tickets from Paris to Avignon for our family of 5! Was very nervous but it was a piece of cake!!!! Watch out tgv passengers, here we come! Many thanks again to all of you who gave me advice. Will def be using this site again next week when my dates become available for more travel!!!
Mar 13th, 2013, 02:05 AM
#14
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Well done, Caroline - I think seat61 is one of the most helpful sites I've ever come across. Mike responds quickly to any email questions as well . . . a true professional!
Enjoy your travels, Di
Enjoy your travels, Di
