French Train Ticket Prices

I can’t answer your question regarding the price. However, it’s worth noting that you can’t book TGV tickets until 90 days out so it’s possible you aren’t able to see the full schedule and price. To do a mock booking for early July, go to the SNCF (English) website directly.

https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/train-ticket?wiz_medium=SEA&wiz_source=google&wiz_campaign=com_en_g_mk_conv_tr-multiproduit_br_brandpure_sncf&wiz_content=OUI+SNCF&wiz_term=p69040002100&gclsrc=aw.ds&&prex=SEA&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2tsGdGRBVp62mc1JsMTDnJCydgY&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9fOGlbbIjAMVSTBECB1ZeAIfEAAYASAAEgKHZPD_BwE

Thanks for that info. I did a Monday June 30th search (we would be travelling on a Monday in August) and I guess the prices are pretty similar. Seems like the going rate, I guess.

Considering my alternatives before I commit to this, is there an alternate/better station I should be considering for a day trip to the chateaus? Again, I found a fabulous French car on Turo that happened to be in Tours, which is driving this idea. I'm sure I can find a less-fabulous but still French car to pick up elsewhere.

Thanks

I would suggest going from Paris to St Pierre des Corps, which is the TGV station on the outskirts of Tours. There are several car rental agencies in the Plaza just outside the station. We rented from Sixt and were satisfied with both the service and the vehicle. I believe there are also Hertz and Enterprise there, and perhaps Europcar. Could you tell me what you mean by "a very French car"? I've never heard of Turo.

Looking at a random Monday next month on SNCF, I saw very frequent trains that were considerably under €200 for 2 adults and 2 children.

Matt,
I also wonder what you mean by "a very French car". If you are referring to a Deux Cheveaux, as seen in movies and tv, please be aware that they are TINY! Even though they say it seats 4, the back seat is tiny and there is no room for luggage. The ones referred to as convertibles remind me of a sardine can where the top is "rolled" back. What car do you mean?

I'm looking on the SNCF Connect app and seeing most tickets one way in the 25-25 euro range. Be sure to use SNCF and not Rail Europe.

For those that are not aware, Turo is like Air BnB or VRBO for cars.

It also means if something goes wrong with a car there is no support as a friend of mine found when a WHEEL on the luxury car he rented thru Turo fell on while he was doing the speed limit on I70 in Colorado.

So you are seeing ~70E each for return tickets? or was the website you were searching on showing 280E for one person for one return ticket?

Yes, Turo is the AirBnB of cars. There are some risks, like anything, read reviews before committing to a renter. I've used it successfully to rent cars in over-demand markets (Glacier NP, Hawaii) and it's worked well. In this case, I was seeking a special car, and yes, it's a 2CV. We have no luggage and we're not large people. We're not driving far, and I'm familiar with vintage vehicles and understand the limits.

The train tickets I'm seeing are basically $35 each way per person, totaling $280. It seems high, but I don't know what to expect. I was just trying to see if this is typical and just swallow it, or way off and I need to wait until more tickets are released, or seek an alternate station, etc. I'll note that St. Pierre des Corps seems to be essentially the same price.

It's approx 240km from Paris to Tours, so I'm not sure why you would consider $35 expensive for a TGV that can travel that distance in an hour and a half. If you are renting a 2CV, you may want to avoid the highways. I don't think that car can cruise at highway speeds.