Hello. We plan on going from Paris Gare Saint-Lazare to Mantes-La-Jolie, to pick up a rental car. There is a specific SNCF TER train that we'd like to take (it's the one whose next stop is Vernon/Giverny). Does anybody know where in Paris I could buy tickets in advance? For example would I have to go to main station such as Saint-Lazare? I would feel more comfortable having the tickets at least a day in advance -- it looks like I can buy tickets on that train to Vernon on the SNCF web site, but not to Mantes-La-Jolie. For what it's worth the travel date is Friday, March 29, 2024. Thanks!
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
3990 posts
There is no train service from Gare St Lazare to Mantes La Jolie on March 29. I did a little research for you this morning (Google is our friend). Take a look at https://www.transilien.com/fr/calendrier-travaux/search/?arrival1=Mantes-la-Jolie&arrivalId1=176&departure1=Paris+Saint-Lazare&departureId1=204. You will have to take a bus from La Defense.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks JHK for the help. From the link you shared it looks to me like the work affects the Transilien J line only after 9:45 pm on the 29th. We'd be travelling in the morning, so that won't affect us. But I was asking about a different line, the TER train operated by SNCF, which is the TER 13115 leaving St. Lazare at 10:11 am for Mantes-La-Jolie (then on to Vernon and Rouen). From the following link, I'd be able to book this train now to Vernon, but not to Mantes-La-Jolie. https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/en-en/home/doorToDoor/itineraries
Posted by
Green Bay
21157 posts
Perhaps SNCF will not sell you a ticket because it is within the Ille de France region. You could buy a ticket all the way to Vernon and just get off at Mantes Jolie.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks, Sam, I guess that reason makes sense. Three of us will be travelling and of course I don't want to pay more than I need to, but I might resort to the tix to Vernon idea. KD, I actually have the app but it's not letting me make this purchase. Unlike the web page, there is a link to buy tickets but then I see "our services are currently unavailable," and it's been that way for well over a month (since I installed the app). I guess I just don't know if advanced tickets are needed or a good idea for the TER train.
Posted by
Paris
10205 posts
Advanced tickets are not needed for a TER train.
If you really want to buy them ahead, you could go to Gare St Lazare (or a station nearer your hotel) and buy the tickets (for the correct date!) from a machine.
The machine will make pick a specific time for your journey in order to purchase tickets, but TER tickets are now good for anytime on the day they are for (i.e. you are not stuck with the time you bought).
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Kim, thank you so much. If I may follow up ... We'll be flying into Charles de Gaulle airport four days earlier -- do you know if I'd be able to use a machine at the SNCF railway station there, to buy those TER tickets for the March 29 date?
Posted by
Green Bay
21157 posts
How are getting into Paris and where is your lodging? If you are taking a taxi, detouring to the train station to buy tickets would be a pain. You could buy at any train station in Paris while you are there.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Hi Sam. We'll probably take the RER B line into Paris, staying in the western portion of the Marais. I assume you don't mean any metro station. I'm pretty sure now that I'm over-thinking this. :-) We could get to Saint Lazare easily enough though on one of our days in Paris before the trip out.
Posted by
Green Bay
21157 posts
Well if you are taking the RER, you will be at the airport train station and can buy tickets there.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help!