Trouble getting English language SNCF site
Jan 31st, 2008, 01:37 PM
#41
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Hi Tim, thanks for that. We will however, have travelled from Australia that day so will be keen to catch the best connection I think.
I guess we have two options, I try to book online and have to brave the ticket machine (if there is one at CDG?) or can we purchase one at CDG for the Marseilles to Toulon? We will have more time there.
It sort of negates the value of being able to print my own PREMS really.
I guess we have two options, I try to book online and have to brave the ticket machine (if there is one at CDG?) or can we purchase one at CDG for the Marseilles to Toulon? We will have more time there.
It sort of negates the value of being able to print my own PREMS really.
Jan 31st, 2008, 01:47 PM
#42
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Yes, you can buy your Marseille-Toulon ticket at CDG. I believe there are ticket machines which would allow you to not have to stand in line at the ticket window. However, be aware that ticket machines in France only accept French chip & pin credit cards. You'll need to have euro coins to use a machine. You can use a non-French VISA or MasterCard at the ticket window.
Jan 31st, 2008, 01:54 PM
#44
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djsteach what country did you enter?
I am still unable to get English when I enter France as country of collection and unable to get "print my own" when I enter Great Britain?
It seems one or the other for me?
I am still unable to get English when I enter France as country of collection and unable to get "print my own" when I enter Great Britain?
It seems one or the other for me?
Jan 31st, 2008, 02:16 PM
#45
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ozgirl..
I went into the site under Great Britain, put my information about where I was going etc. and didn't have any trouble clicking on printing the tickets. Sorry, I probably should have printed out each page as I did it so I could remember how to for the next time.
I went into the site under Great Britain, put my information about where I was going etc. and didn't have any trouble clicking on printing the tickets. Sorry, I probably should have printed out each page as I did it so I could remember how to for the next time.
Jan 31st, 2008, 02:19 PM
#46
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Ok, it's a conspiracy against Australians!!!
If I put Great Britain (or Ireland) I can't get print my own option at all.
Can the software tell where I am from??
If there are any other Aussies following this I would be interested to see how they fare.
(no pun intended!)
If I put Great Britain (or Ireland) I can't get print my own option at all.
Can the software tell where I am from??
If there are any other Aussies following this I would be interested to see how they fare.
(no pun intended!)
Jan 31st, 2008, 02:23 PM
#47
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ozgirl,
The 13:54 TGV from CDG arrives in Marseille at 17:47. The next regional train to Toulon leaves at 18:07. That should be enogh time for you to buy a ticket in Marseille. However, the next train to Toulon leaves at 18:33. That wouldn't be too long to wait, would it?
The 13:54 TGV from CDG arrives in Marseille at 17:47. The next regional train to Toulon leaves at 18:07. That should be enogh time for you to buy a ticket in Marseille. However, the next train to Toulon leaves at 18:33. That wouldn't be too long to wait, would it?
Jan 31st, 2008, 02:29 PM
#48
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Tim, you are right on both counts.
I am still so frustrated at not being able to get the site working for me that I haven't even looked closely at connections!
I can't purchase PREMS for the date I want for another month or so anyway. I might sit back and see if anything changes on the site, it seems to me there maybe still a few glitches that might be ironed out if I'm lucky!
If I am doing a simple PREM from CDG to Marseilles I can probably handle the French site I think.
Do you think tgv - europe can tell I am from Australia as opposed to GB and that is the difference?
I am still so frustrated at not being able to get the site working for me that I haven't even looked closely at connections!
I can't purchase PREMS for the date I want for another month or so anyway. I might sit back and see if anything changes on the site, it seems to me there maybe still a few glitches that might be ironed out if I'm lucky!
If I am doing a simple PREM from CDG to Marseilles I can probably handle the French site I think.
Do you think tgv - europe can tell I am from Australia as opposed to GB and that is the difference?
Jan 31st, 2008, 03:08 PM
#49
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The SNCF website doesn't know where your computer is located, and isn't choosing languages based on that. I'm in the US, and it never switches from French if I don't want it to, as I always choose France for country of pickup.
It isn't an English thing, either, as it takes you out for German, also. It's really kind of dopey if it switches to a language based on the country you choose, as some people actually don't speak the most common language in the country where they reside.
Anyway, I just chose Ireland as a country for pickup, and it worked fine and I'm NOT in Ireland, but in the US. However it did only give me the option of free delivery or printing at a machine at a train station (no print yourself), and it was a PREM.
It isn't an English thing, either, as it takes you out for German, also. It's really kind of dopey if it switches to a language based on the country you choose, as some people actually don't speak the most common language in the country where they reside.
Anyway, I just chose Ireland as a country for pickup, and it worked fine and I'm NOT in Ireland, but in the US. However it did only give me the option of free delivery or printing at a machine at a train station (no print yourself), and it was a PREM.
Jan 31st, 2008, 03:22 PM
#50
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Thanks Christina, at least you replicated what I got putting in Ireland.
What I can't work out is how djsteach can get 'print your own option' when she puts in Great Britain.
The home page of tgv - europe is in English - I have tried
1) just proceeding from there and putting in GB when I get to country to be collected or posted to, as well as
2) actually clicking on GB flag at the home page and then proceeding, still no luck.
For exactly the same itinerary if I enter France it takes me out to the sncf site and the print your own option is there but not in English.
What I can't work out is how djsteach can get 'print your own option' when she puts in Great Britain.
The home page of tgv - europe is in English - I have tried
1) just proceeding from there and putting in GB when I get to country to be collected or posted to, as well as
2) actually clicking on GB flag at the home page and then proceeding, still no luck.
For exactly the same itinerary if I enter France it takes me out to the sncf site and the print your own option is there but not in English.
Feb 1st, 2008, 04:45 PM
#51
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HOORAY HOORAY HOORAY!
For anyone interested (and that's probably only me!) I am so happy, I've sussed it out at last!
Went back and read through everyone's suggestions and found my problem... padraig wrote...
"I went in through the front door ( http://www.voyages-sncf.com/ ) which gave me an introductory page in French -- no surprise there. Ignoring the language buttons, I clicked on "train" and it gave me a booking page in English! The site software must recognise that I am working from an English-speaking country."
Ok, when trying to follow Padraig's instructions again today, I noted that on the sncf welcome page, the heading "train" appears three times:
1) "train" in green writing on the far left
2) "train" in blue in the middle of the page above Idees Voyages
3) and "train" with the little picture at the top.
In my previous attempts I had clicked on options 1 and 2 several times and seen no sign of English, so then had proceeded to click on the English flag at the bottom which of course took me to the tgv-europe site where I could proceed but never achieved the "print at home option" as detailed in my previous posts above.
However, on my re-read today, (I hate to be foiled!) I clicked on the little round train picture at the top and voila! English!!! Then proceeded as per instructions and ended up with the print option.
Thought I would post this in case anyone else has the same problem (although no-one seemed to be!)
Thanks to everyone who helped and no, I am not blonde!
For anyone interested (and that's probably only me!) I am so happy, I've sussed it out at last!
Went back and read through everyone's suggestions and found my problem... padraig wrote...
"I went in through the front door ( http://www.voyages-sncf.com/ ) which gave me an introductory page in French -- no surprise there. Ignoring the language buttons, I clicked on "train" and it gave me a booking page in English! The site software must recognise that I am working from an English-speaking country."
Ok, when trying to follow Padraig's instructions again today, I noted that on the sncf welcome page, the heading "train" appears three times:
1) "train" in green writing on the far left
2) "train" in blue in the middle of the page above Idees Voyages
3) and "train" with the little picture at the top.
In my previous attempts I had clicked on options 1 and 2 several times and seen no sign of English, so then had proceeded to click on the English flag at the bottom which of course took me to the tgv-europe site where I could proceed but never achieved the "print at home option" as detailed in my previous posts above.
However, on my re-read today, (I hate to be foiled!) I clicked on the little round train picture at the top and voila! English!!! Then proceeded as per instructions and ended up with the print option.
Thought I would post this in case anyone else has the same problem (although no-one seemed to be!)
Thanks to everyone who helped and no, I am not blonde!
Feb 1st, 2008, 05:25 PM
#52
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ozgirl, I'm not blond, either.
I never noticed there was more than one clickable train link, because I always look first at the top of webpages for links. It just shows that people don't all have the same mindsets, which is what undelies many misunderstandings and conflicts.
I'm glad you got things sorted.
I never noticed there was more than one clickable train link, because I always look first at the top of webpages for links. It just shows that people don't all have the same mindsets, which is what undelies many misunderstandings and conflicts.
I'm glad you got things sorted.
Feb 1st, 2008, 05:31 PM
#53
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Padraig, I am glad you are online - now when I click the same "train" it is in French!
Sounds like what was happening to you?
I wonder if it is a "time of the day" issue, I am so glad it worked once for me, guess I will just have to keep trying!
Sounds like what was happening to you?
I wonder if it is a "time of the day" issue, I am so glad it worked once for me, guess I will just have to keep trying!
Feb 2nd, 2008, 12:44 AM
#54
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Hi Vicki I'm glad you could manage with your tickets.
I'm not sure the 3rd train will be in English again since this is the one I always use (with the picture on the top)and it is ALWAYS in French.
I have a direct link on my website to the English page which doesn't seem to work anymore. However I manage to find it (don't ask me how!)
http://tinyurl.com/38xamx
Hope it won't change again!
I'm not sure the 3rd train will be in English again since this is the one I always use (with the picture on the top)and it is ALWAYS in French.
I have a direct link on my website to the English page which doesn't seem to work anymore. However I manage to find it (don't ask me how!)
http://tinyurl.com/38xamx
Hope it won't change again!
Feb 2nd, 2008, 01:01 AM
#55
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Hi Coco, I am sorry your URL doesn't seem to open anything for me, thanks anyway.
That is discouraging news about the "third" train but it was definitely in English ONCE this morning!
Anyway, I will try randomly, I can't try for PREMS until about 25th Feb anyway - I'm sure I am familiar enough with the French site to do it, I would just feel happier in English.
I wonder if I do print my own option, I guess the email will be en Francais?
Maybe then I will ask you for help please?!
That is discouraging news about the "third" train but it was definitely in English ONCE this morning!
Anyway, I will try randomly, I can't try for PREMS until about 25th Feb anyway - I'm sure I am familiar enough with the French site to do it, I would just feel happier in English.
I wonder if I do print my own option, I guess the email will be en Francais?
Maybe then I will ask you for help please?!
Feb 2nd, 2008, 01:22 AM
#56
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It doesn't work anymore for me either! What a mess in that website!
I tried again from my useful link page and this is what you can do:
It says "Document non trouvé" (not found) then click on "consulter le plan du site"
then click on "réservation billet de train" under Train section and you should get back to the English page.
Of course I can help you with the French email!
I tried again from my useful link page and this is what you can do:
It says "Document non trouvé" (not found) then click on "consulter le plan du site"
then click on "réservation billet de train" under Train section and you should get back to the English page.
Of course I can help you with the French email!
May 29th, 2008, 01:51 PM
#58
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I got as far as I could on the French site, but want to make sure that I can print my tickets here at home (USA). If I select the radio option indicated here - http://www.tinyurl.com/6k3cn4 - will that allow me to print my tickets on my printer from the website ?
May 29th, 2008, 02:29 PM
#59
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yddkdd,
Sorry, but it won't. The printing option ("Imprimer votre billet vous-meme..."
isn't listed as an option. This is only possible for certain discount fares.
You'll need to choose "Retirer votre billet aux guichets d'une gare ou boutique SNCF..." (Pick up your ticket at a station window or SNCF shop.)
Sorry, but it won't. The printing option ("Imprimer votre billet vous-meme..."
isn't listed as an option. This is only possible for certain discount fares.You'll need to choose "Retirer votre billet aux guichets d'une gare ou boutique SNCF..." (Pick up your ticket at a station window or SNCF shop.)
May 30th, 2008, 06:20 AM
#60
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Well I was picking France as the country because my French is better than my Spanish. (Which isn't saying a whole lot.) And I figured that if we could print the tickets via the web site like we did a couple of years ago, the country origin wouldn't matter. But since we are taking the train from Barcelona to France, I guess that I could pick Spain as the country, and then pick up the tickets at the SNCF train station in Barcelona ?
