I read comments in this forum, that RailEurope is problematic, doesn't include all of the train lines, etc. But when I goi to SCNF's site, and click "rest of the world" it automatically goes to Rail Europe. Does anyone have a recommendation about this?
Secondly, does Raileurope and train line just carry SCNF or do they also carry Oui or Rer trains?
If you see the ticket you want on Rail Europe at a similar price, you can easily buy it there. You can also stay on www.oui.sncf by choosing France or general Europe (for the English version). Neither SNCF nor RailEurope sell RER tickets within the city and suburbs of Paris, but they sell TER regional train tickets, if that's what you mean.
SNCF decided to start calling most everything "Oui," so it can get confusing. TGV InOui is the regular high-speed service, operated by SNCF and also sold through a variety of agents. OUIGO is a discount version of the TGV with different restrictions, only bookable online (see also https://ventes.ouigo.com/en-GB), and not currently through Rail Europe.
Before I'd buy from RailEurope, I'd compare the price with the trainline or SCNF/Oui. RailEurope is often more expensive. Loco2 used to be such a great option to use when the country specific site is "surly", but they sold out and merged with RailEurope.
I usually buy my tickets from Trainline, but I believe they are now charging a small fee for tickets purchased from IP adresses from the States.
I think you may be able to get around being routed to Rail Europe on the sncf/oui site by choosing UK as your country. If not, choose France but then just click on the UK flag to get the page in English.
As Laura mentioned, SNCF does not sell tickets for the Paris suburban trains known as the RER. So far as I have ever known (anyone can correct me if I have it wrong), those tickets can only be bought once you are here in the Paris region.
TER trains are local trains all over the country and should be able to be purchased through SNCF/oui.
For help on all things trains in France, check out the excellent “Man in Seat 61” website and click on the France page.
thank you! Many great tips.
From my recollection, its not a big advantage to buy your train tickets in advance - unlike UK where it is a big deal?
Whether it pays to purchase in advance depends on the train you choose and the distance. I have often purchased tickets in advance for a price savings.
Yes, Trainline now charges a small fee. That's why until Loco2 sold out, I used Loco2. In my experience, the trainline fee is small. My only beef, and they may have corrected it, is that they would tack it on without disclosing.
The RER trains are always the same price so there would be no advantage to purchasing them in advance
It often is a great advantage to buy tickets in advance, especially for long-distance and fast trains. You can save significant money.
