I appreciate very much Kim's posting several days ago about SNCF's opening train ticket sales for travel through early May.
I want to be ready to purchase May 15 tickets from Paris to Bayonne when ticket sales open in several weeks.
Rick Steves' Paris guidebook gives several options for buying the tickets:
1. SNCF's website or app
2. the Trainline app
Also, one can buy tickets via the Rick Steves website.
My question is: what are the pros and cons of the 3 ways of purchasing the tickets?
My understanding is Rick actually is only selling the month-long passes and things like that not point to point tickets so option three is probably not on the table.
I always book via SNCF on the app and I get the ticket on my phone and load it in my wallet
my experience has been train line is generally a little more expensive. Probably the markup for having them do it for you
Anytime you purchase anything—train tickets, hotel bookings, etc., from a secondary seller, you relinquish a bit of control. I prefer to always book from the source if it's at all possible. That way I know where to get information on changes and delays, and if I need to cancel, there's no middleman to deal with.
In addition, you generally pay a small fee when you book through a secondary source, or might pay a higher price. Some travelers don't mind this because they like the convenience. So it's really up to you.
Last spring I found using the SNCF app very user friendly and convenient. Having the tickets/QR codes sitting right in the app ready to scan was very convenient. Buying directly from SNCF makes more sense anyway since it’s their train's; rather than a third party.
And just to be the contrary voice, I live here and use Trainline. The SNCF website and app make me absolutely crazy. I find Trainline a whole lot easier to use .
My tech skills are marginal hampered by the fact that I’m usually using a tablet, so I fought with the SNCF to get the English version, but last trip I used the website to find the trains I wanted and then the app to book them. It helped having the app because we had to change the reservation twice after flight cancellations and that was very easy to do on the app. I’ve used Trainline before, but maybe Kim would know how easy it is to change a reservation.
I find trainline.com the most user friendly and usually book through them and have my ticket on my phone.
I’m going to contradict Kim because I always use the SNCF app…and I live in France too, ;—)))
This is exactly the information I was seeking. Thanks to all who posted.
I also have a question and it is regarding booking trains for myself and my husband. I would normally book ahead of time on my desktop (although have not done it in years) but I think the App will be very helpful if any changes are needed while in France this May. I didn't know about Trainline previously but if I download either the Trainline or SNCF App, can I buy both of our tickets on my phone and show them both from my phone in France? Thanks for any help. Teri
I needed tickets for April so, a few weeks ago, I set an alert on the SNCF website. I got an email last week notifying me that I could now buy my tickets for April - I got the notice the same day that Kim posted.
I easily booked using my laptop. I prefer the larger screen when doing things like that. I have the app on my phone so after the purchase, I logged into the app and then loaded the tickets into my Apple wallet. I’ve never had problems using their website. I do have to get a code that Mastercard texts to me to complete the foreign transaction but it’s simple and quick.
Another French resident here. I've never used Trainline but SNCF's website and app can be a bit frustrating at times. I use them, but the logic embedded in them reminds me of that employed by French parking lot designers. Eventually, you'll get to where you want, but sometimes in only the most convoluted way.
