Is it like Amtrak (buy in advance or else) or a subway (show up and maybe have to stand but you are getting there)?
Travelling in 1 week.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
Not sure what you are asking? Book a ticket from Paris to Bern with a reserved seat. Lots of choices.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
My question is should I book in advance or can I wait until the day of travel.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
1421 posts
Buy it in advance. France’s TGV trains are discounted up to 85% if bought 3-4 months In advance. The fare for tomorrow’s train, for example, is €150. During next week there are a few tix for €85. If bought for a date about 2 months from now, there are tickets for €65. Buying them when they first go on sale will give you the best deal. They often sell out and prices rise. France’s train company, SNCF, just made these deeply discounted tickets refundable and exchangeable within generous timeframes. They are called “Prem’s” or “Loisir” tickets and they include the mandatory seat reservation which usually is €20. You can
get a bargain ticket on the Paris to Bern route on a TGV Lyria train that takes 5.5 hours.
www.SNCF-connect.com
Posted by
Sweden
6379 posts
Also, the trains can sell out.
You can also buy the tickets from SBB, their website is a bit easier to use in my opinion. www.sbb.ch
Posted by
Citizen of the World
1421 posts
Badger, So, is it the case that SBB will have tickets available on the same train for the same price as the SNCF Prem’s tickets ?
Posted by
New York, NY
3996 posts
This is not the subway. You are taking high speed long-distance trains from one major city to another. I recommend you go online to purchase your tickets before your train or trains are sold out.
Posted by
Sweden
6379 posts
Badger, So, is it the case that SBB will have tickets available on the
same train for the same price as the SNCF Prem’s tickets ?
The TGVs between France and Switzerland are operated by SNCF and SBB together, using the brand TGV Lyria. So you should be able to buy the same ticket from SBB as you can buy from SNCF.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
It's not only TGV trains that can be an issue . Last Saturday we took IC ( Inter cities ) from Toulouse to Carcassonne and return , on a day trip . Both trains were fully sold out , no seats without a reservation .
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
Tagging on to Kenko and Badger's posts above ,as an example - I just looked at my tickets for my trip tomorrow from Toulouse to Lyon . I purchased them months ago when they came on sale . 108 Euro for two . Only two seats available on my train for tomorrow at 250 Euro . The following two trains have been canceled , nothing further until later in the afternoon. Needless to say , two good reasons to book ahead , price and availability .