I am attempting to find tix to Provence around October 11, 12, 13, or 14th (any day is fine) but the listing of options say "non bookable".
Maybe I'm in the wrong place? https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/en-en/home/shop/results/outward
Nimes, Arles, Montpellier or any Provence town on the line, is acceptable.
I am going on a few day visit to get my feet wet for a longer return visit.
For what it's worth I'll be coming from Vincennes so probably train out of Gare De Lyon.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2544 posts
You’re looking in the right place, it just might be too early.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6438 posts
When I've purchased SNCF tickets in the past, it is usually about 3 months in advance. I can't remember if they are the ones that drop them at the beginning of the month. So maybe, July 1.
Posted by
1 posts
I just booked round-trip TGV train tickets from Paris to Aix-en-Provence on this website for September and it was very easy. I am departing from Gare de Lyon. I have used this website before for Italy trips:
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
For Oct you probably are too early. If sold out the message would be Non-available, No solution found -- something like that. Try again in another week.
Posted by
California, U.S.A.
34 posts
I was trying to do the same thing yesterday (Paris to Tours) and it's about 4 weeks too soon. They have the routes on the website but we can't buy tickets yet. I'm going to try again in mid June.
Posted by
France Southwest
2318 posts
When it's too early to book a train on SNCF connect website, on the search results page for your train journey there is an option: "More trains will soon be available to book for this journey. Should we let you know?”
Click on "Be Warned" and enter your email address to be informed when bookings will be available
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1327 posts
David Paul,
Yes, the trains for Provence leave from Gare de Lyon. Each station in Paris is designated for trains in different directions. There is a TGV that will take you as far south as Marseille with stops in between (e.g. Avignon). Do you know where in Provence you want to go? The towns you mentioned each have their own ambience, and their own fans on this forum. Some are not on the TGV line, but you can get there by train, maybe with a change.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Wengen
2492 posts
Note that there is no need to buy train tickets months in advance. Trains do not sell out months in advance. Have a look on scnf-connect for today or tomorrow, and you will see that for most destinations that may interest you there are probably still tickets available.
If trains sold out months in advance they would be useless.
You buy tickets in advance because that way you can get some nice discounts. But you do not need to worry now about not being able to travel in October. That is still far away.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
You buy tickets in advance because that way you can get some nice discounts. But you do not need to worry now about not being able to travel in October. That is still far away.
I agree in general, and Oct 11-14 are not peak dates - OP, you are fine!
But for the reference of others in similar situations, lately SNCF trains to the south and to the west have indeed been selling out weeks in advance on peak days - such as the first days of school holidays, or summer weekends. Not necessarily every train on those days, but definitely the most convenient ones. I would have fully agreed to your statement until 2022, but it is increasingly becoming something to watch out for.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6438 posts
If your intent is to buy the ticket in advance for the savings, just know, that you do save quite a bit of money. Sometimes those cheaper tickets are not around for very long. If you are confident of your itinerary, I would buy the tickets as soon as soon as they are available. If you just want to assure yourself of tickets, I'd follow Balso's guidance. Note that your dates are on a weekend, which I would guess are more busy.