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booking through SNCF or Rail Europe

I've been looking at both websites - SNCF and Rail Europe. Rail Europe is offering more options for times of day than SNCF (to/from the same locations). How is that possible? Aren't the train schedules determined by the rail companies?

Travel dates are June 25-July 2 (more or less one month out).

Posted by
6740 posts

How far in advance are you looking? SNCF sets the official timetables, but only X number of months out. Rail Europe has been known to use historic timetables, betting that they won't change. Which is often the case. But they are essentially offering to sell tickets for trains that don't actually exist yet.

Posted by
1583 posts

I really like using the SNCF app. Makes for easy access to all train tickets.

Posted by
11050 posts

Please use the SNCF website or app for a much better experience. Rail Europe is a reseller. SNCF runs (most of) the trains in France.

Posted by
530 posts

I always use the SNCF app for my train tix in France. If a train is delayed, canceled, or whatever, it sends me an alert and the app makes it super easy to change/update my ticket. With a 3rd party you often don't have this flexibility nor the alerts/information regarding delays. The SNCF app also alerts you to any possible delays on your route (strikes, construction, emergency repairs, etc.)

Posted by
5416 posts

See what the Man in Seat 61 recommends, he might suggest Trainline

Posted by
832 posts

We will be traveling by train in France on July 1. I booked my tickets on SNCF (the official site!) several months ago. You should be able to find what you need by now on SNCF.

Posted by
9387 posts

I use trainline.eu for planning and sometimes for tickets; much more user friendly than the SNCF site.

Posted by
1471 posts

I always use SNCF. Hell, they are the ones that actually run the trains. Everyone else is a reseller.