I am having a rather frustrating time on the Eurail site. I have a One Country Pass (France) and will be traveling in September.
The site allows me to select itineraries, but not book reservations. For instance I am trying to book a train reservation from Aix en Provence to Avignon and there seems to be no way. The same with Lyons to Tours and Tours to Paris. Perhaps I am starting too early? But it does not say that on the site. I would really appreciate the benefit of some help from a wiser traveler than I am.
Thanks.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2545 posts
Are you using this website to book seats?
https://en.oui.sncf/en/pass/seat-reservation
Reservations will cost from 10€ to 20€ each if they are available and the number of seats allocated to pass holders is few.
Have you considered that you will very likely pay more for train travel using a Eurail pass than if you had simply purchased individual tickets?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Don't try to book anything that includes a leg by unreserved regional train. Both Aix and Avignon have separate central and TGV stations, and connections into town from the TGV are on unreserved train or bus. Also, for parts of September, it could be too soon. The Deutsche Bahn train schedule link Looking Up Train Schedules and Routes Online will show you which train legs require reservations so you can request just those portions.
The number of seats allocated to passholders on domestic French trains is not few. That changed a couple of years ago. Only the international trains have artificial limits placed on pass travel.
Perhaps the SNCF app will work well if you set up an account. In general, the SNCF web site doesn't accept all US credit cards, so it's more typical to reserve through Eurail.com or Rail Europe, partly depending on which you bought your pass from.
Also, the direct train that runs around noon from Lyon to Tours is also an unreserved regional train. Or there's an earlier departure that you just reserve from Lyon to St. Pierre-des-Corps but not the second leg.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
I really appreciate the responses. Unfortunately, I already have the Eurail pass, so I am hoping to use it. I did not realize that only a certain number of seats are allocated to pass holders.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
You don't need to realize that because it's unrelated to your experience.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2545 posts
the SNCF web site doesn't accept all US credit cards,
Curiously, I have purchased countless rail tickets on the SNCF websites using various US bank issued credit cards. I cannot think of one rejection. However, one´s card must be registered with Verified by Visa. Attempting to purchase train tickets with unregistered cards can be problematic. Registering must be completed by the cardholder himself.
As an example of the SNCF´s trust in US issued bank cards properly registered, Ouigo tickets, using a non EU credit card, can only be purchase with a US bank issued credit card. Card holders from Australia or Canada are not able to purchase these tickets. Ouigo trains are not available to Eurail pass holders.
Pre purchased TGV fares from Tours to Paris are available for as little as 15€ or probably less than you´ll pay for a Eurail seat reservation. Anyone considering a Eurail pass for travel within France should first check, on the SNCF website and not the Eurail website, the price of prepurchased, point-to-point tickets.