It doesn’t get significantly better than zooming by means of the French countryside at 200mph. The truth is, on the subject of practice journey, France is likely one of the best-connected international locations in Europe and you may simply attain lots of Europe’s nice cities from Paris.
However, like all issues French, their rail community could be a little complicated so we’re right here to assist. On this France Prepare Information, we’ll inform you every part you might want to learn about touring France by practice—from navigating the system to purchasing practice tickets for the most affordable value.
How To Purchase Prepare Tickets in France
Shopping for French practice tickets is usually straightforward however there are a number of quirks that you simply’ll come throughout when reserving—maintain studying and we’ll stroll you thru the method.
Let’s first check out the place and when to purchase tickets for one of the best value…
Fast Observe On Digital Prepare Tickets And Dependable Cell Knowledge
Most practice tickets in France (and Europe) are digital so having dependable high-speed information in your cellphone is essential—fortunately, getting high-speed information in France is easy and inexpensive. Listed here are a number of articles I’ve written that can assist you get arrange:
The place To Purchase France Prepare Tickets For France
So there are a handful of internet sites/strategies for purchasing French practice tickets and every has its personal quirks. Let’s check out the assorted choices:
Omio
Omio is a search engine that permits you to evaluate and e-book trains anyplace in Europe. It helps you to simply e-book tickets along with your bank card at primarily the identical costs as France’s Railways web site.
Moreover, Omio searches routes for a number of rail providers throughout Europe so it’s nice for worldwide journeys (since it may possibly simply mix rail journeys of a number of international locations). Omio additionally offers you the choice to print your individual tickets or have eTickets despatched to the Omio App.
TrainLine
TrainLine is one other third-party reserving web site that connects on to the French Nationwide Rail Community and different European networks. Trainline additionally accepts worldwide bank card funds and allows you to print your individual tickets or have eTickets despatched to the Tranline App.
SNCF (Nationwide French Railways)
The web site for the official French Railways is en.oui.sncf. The principle downside with this web site is that it usually tries to redirect you to RailEurope.com—which is SNCF’s official North American accomplice. Sadly, Rail Europe hardly ever finds the most affordable fares so you must actively attempt to maintain the location from redirecting you. And attempting to e-book by means of the official SNCF web site will be equally as tough as a result of it may be plagued with translation points and typically they reject overseas bank cards.
Perosanlly, I’d follow Omio.
Ouigo
A couple of years in the past the French Nationwide Railways created a brand new low-budget practice line known as Ouigo. It principally connects Paris with a handful of widespread French locations.
Some Ouigo trains depart from stations exterior Paris so it takes slightly underneath an hour by regional practice to get there from central Paris. Nevertheless, some trains do depart from central Paris. There are a number of different restrictions (like restricted baggage) however the fares will be loopy low cost. Reserving web sites like Omio will embrace Ouigo of their outcomes so that you don’t have to look Ouigo’s web site to seek out/purchase its tickets.
Eurostar
The Eurostar is the practice that connects Paris and London. You’ll be able to often e-book this journey on different web sites however we’ve discovered it greatest to e-book instantly from the Eurostar web site for one of the best costs.
At The Station
In fact, you should buy any French practice ticket from any practice station — both from a ticket window or an automatic machine (you’ll want a Chip & PIN bank card to purchase from the machines). You should buy tickets prematurely from practice stations as effectively.
HOW TO COLLECT YOUR FRENCH TRAIN TICKETS
Tickets bought on-line will be collected in a number of other ways. Most occasions you’re given a number of strategies of accumulating your tickets:
- Digital Tickets: You’ll be able to often have tickets despatched to your cellphone/pill. For instance, tickets purchased by way of Omio shall be despatched to your Omio app. You too can have tickets despatched to your electronic mail. Then you definitely merely present it to the conductor on the practice after they examine your tickets.
- Print-At-Dwelling Tickets: You’ll be able to print tickets at house and present them to the conductor on the practice when he checks tickets.
- Decide Up At Station: Use your bank card or a reserving affirmation quantity to gather your tickets on the practice station. You’re usually required to make use of the similar bank card used to buy the tickets to gather them up on the station — so maintain this in thoughts when reserving.
- Additionally, you’ll want a Chip & PIN card to gather from the automated machines however you should utilize a swipe card on the ticket window. Nevertheless, at different occasions you solely want the reserving reference quantity.
- Mailed Tickets: Some providers will mail you bodily tickets however that is usually a gradual course of. We advise avoiding this and sticking to the opposite choices.
Do You Want To Purchase French Prepare Tickets In Advance?
France has a variety of totally different practice providers so it may be slightly complicated to know what tickets must be bought early and which will be purchased at any time when. We’ll break it down beneath.
Excessive-Pace TGV Trains — Purchase Early As Attainable
Sure – e-book early. Tickets for France’s TGV high-speed trains can be found to buy round 90 days prematurely. Reserving these early will get you the most affordable tickets and costs will usually proceed to rise because the departure date approaches. For instance, a day-of ticket can value effectively over €100 however that very same one purchased weeks early may solely value €30.
Worldwide Trains — Purchase Early As Attainable
There are a number of separate practice providers that join France to different international locations. These are high-speed trains so the identical guidelines about reserving early apply to those tickets as effectively.
- TGV Lyria: Excessive-speed trains that join France and Switzerland.
- THALYS: Excessive-speed trains that join Paris with Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
- Inter-Metropolis Specific (ICE): Excessive-speed trains that join France and Germany.
- Eurostar: Excessive-speed trains that join Paris and London.
Intercité Trains (IC) — Purchase A Little Early
Intercité trains are quick trains however not as fast because the TGV trains. They often additionally join shorter distances and the trains aren’t fairly as good because the TGV. These tickets can be bought prematurely for a reduction.
Regional/Native Trains — Purchase At any time when
France has a variety of gradual trains that join suburban and regional areas. TER (regional trains that join smaller cities with regional hubs), Transilien (connects suburban Paris) and RER (additionally connects suburban Paris). These tickets are priced by distance traveled so that you don’t want to purchase them prematurely — merely buy them on the station proper earlier than departure.
Don’t neglect to validate your ticket earlier than you get on the practice otherwise you’ll be fined.
How To Use Your French Prepare Tickets
On high-speed trains, your ticket is barely good for the precise time said in your ticket. You’ll even be given an assigned seat. You don’t want a validate your ticket as a result of your seat is reserved (however they could examine your ID on the practice). NOTE: Your ticket will present the automotive and seat quantity so be sure to’re in the precise automotive (the trains are clearly marked).
On regional/native trains, you may need a bodily ticket. Make certain to validate (i.e. stamp) your ticket within the validation containers on the platform earlier than you get on the practice. They’re typically arduous to seek out so watch what the locals are doing. In case you neglect to validate, hunt down the conductor instantly and have him stamp it — in case you wait till he comes round you is perhaps given a superb.
Regional trains received’t have seat reservations so simply sit anyplace.
When you’re on the practice the conductor will ultimately stroll by means of the aisles to examine tickets.
HOW TO MAKE RAIL PASS RESERVATIONS
Excessive-speed trains require you to make a reservation when utilizing a Eurail go — the reservation prices €10-€30/seat for home journey and worldwide trains can cost anyplace from €35-€89/seat (relying on vacation spot). As you possibly can see, these worldwide practice reservations will be wildly costly — the truth is, the reservation price is usually dearer than shopping for a separate ticket.
You need to make the reservation earlier than you get on the practice. There are a number of methods to make reservations:
- Make Reservations On-line: Omio helps you to e-book your reservation on-line by means of their platform. Merely search for a button that claims “I Have A Railpass” and comply with the prompts.
- Make Reservations At The Prepare Station: You’ll be able to merely go to the practice station and e-book your reservation from the customer support desk or self-service kiosks. You’ll be able to e-book it weeks prematurely or you are able to do it the day you depart. We advise utilizing the kiosks as a result of the ticket window can take eternally.
Extra Ideas For Using Trains In France
Listed here are a number of normal recommendations on practice journey in France.
Examine The Departures Board
You’ll discover your practice platform by way of the departure board on the practice station. Don’t fear in case you don’t see your practice instantly as a result of they usually solely show trains departing throughout the subsequent 10-20 minutes.
Nevertheless, do listen as typically the platform can change final minute.
Know Prepare Station Names
Most giant cities have a number of practice stations (Paris has seven) so this usually creates confusion. Double-check to be sure to have the precise station—particularly when reserving your ticket.
Self-Service Machines Are In English
Don’t fear in case you don’t converse French as a result of the ticket machines (and practice station indicators) are all in English. Most customer support employees additionally converse some English.
Low cost Tickets Are Non-Refundable
One draw back to low cost tickets is that they’re non-refundable and might’t be modified.
Pack A Picnic
You’re allowed to deliver your individual meals and alcohol on trains. It’s nice for these lengthy practice rides.
No Baggage Restrictions
There aren’t any weight limits on baggage and you may deliver as a lot as you need (effectively, as a lot as you possibly can carry). Merely deliver it on and retailer it above your head, behind your seat, or within the baggage racks in every automotive.
Making Connections
Your rail journey may require you to vary trains alongside the route. Don’t fear if there are only some minutes between trains as a result of switching trains is often pretty fast and simple—it’s not like flying the place you want an hour-long layover.
Get To The Prepare Station Early
Prepare stations are often pretty straightforward to navigate however they could be a little complicated. There isn’t any safety that you must undergo (aside from Eurostar and THALYS trains) however it doesn’t damage to reach about 20 minutes early.
First Class vs Second Class Tickets
First Class tickets usually value 1.5x the Second Class price. Second Class is completely snug however First Class seats are a bit greater and it’s quieter. Aside from that, there isn’t far more of a distinction.
Use A Credit score Card With A Chip
Automated ticket kiosks require a card with a Chip & PIN so be sure to know your PIN code.
Rail Strikes
France is well-known for practice strikes. They all the time give ample warning earlier than occurring strike and so they nonetheless run some trains, however it’s one thing to concentrate to.
Learn Extra Of My Articles On Price range Journey in France
James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the writer of the e-book “The Savvy Backpacker’s Information To Europe On A Price range”. He is been running a blog about funds journey in Europe since 2010.
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Thanks For Studying! — James
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