My upcoming September itinerary includes several short point to point train rides, Paris to Rouen, Tours to Chartres, Chartres to Paris.
I'd prefer to buy the tickets when I'm ready to go to keep my itinerary as flexible as possible. Is there a big advantage to buying tickets ahead or, alternatively, a big disadvantage to waiting?
Thanks,
Brad
Brad,
Usually there's no advantage in buying tickets in advance for short distances, in terms of money savings, especially since you want flexibility.
The way I decide (when planning my trips), is by checking the routes I'd be taking, & choosing tomorrow's date, then comparing the prices with a date a couple of months from today.
When I checked your routes, the only one that showed a higher price (therefore may want to book in advance) is the
Tours>> Chartres, but only if you take the TGV via Paris. You may want to choose the TER train (or Autocar) that departs from Tours Centre station.
Have a wonderful trip!
EDIT: For your Paris>> Rouen trip, you'll take an Intercity train that offers €10 tickets if booked in advance, vs. €24,10 (normal price) if purchased the day of travel. This is not a big difference in price, & worth it, if you want flexibility with your itinerary.
Enjoy!
Thanks,
I like the technique of checking the price for tomorrow to compare but I wasn't sure if fares normally drop after August?
No, there's little seasonality to the fares and most departures on your routes don't require reservations. From Tours to Chartres, avoid the more expensive TGV connections, which aren't any faster. You can check your actual departure date now and should be able to find both the discounted and full fares within one click, since not everyone wants the restricted tickets. Full fare from Chartres to Paris is about $15 on a regional train.
I purchased tickets from Paris to Rouen for about 25 euros return .. well in advance taking advantage of PREM sale prices.. ( first come first served).
When I got to train station I had to exchange my voucher for a ticket.. went to a window.. the ticket lady told me I got a good deal as she had just sold walk up tickets for 47 euros to the lady just before me.
This was a few years ago.. but think it works the same.
The extra money you pay for last minute walk up tickets is not stunning for short rides.. but if you buy in advance and can find PREM tickets it can add up to good savings.
I purchase tickets on SNCF
Always check the train schedules on the day you want to travel. You will see that avoiding peak hours and not travelling on weekends, etc will usually save you a good bit of money.
Pat,
What kind of train were you taking? The trip to Rouen is only about an hour. I'm happy going second class in pretty much any level train. The prices I see are about ten euros if I bought now for September and about 20 if I bought for tomorrow.
I think I'll avoid travel on a weekend, if I can. That seems to make a fairly big difference.
those are one way prices. I took the regular second class intercity Prem tickets.. I got one way for 10 euros and the other for 15 ( they were sold out of 10 euros for the return) .. and depending on time of train one ways can be as much as 29 euros
edit.. noticed now you don't want return.. just one ways.. so sure the savings on those short train rides is not stunning.. but I always try and save money on things like that .. rather spend it on a nice dinner out etc..
I enjoyed Rouen very much.. but only spent the day there as a daytrip from Paris.. and yes.. I recall the train ride as being a bit more than an hour.... maybe an hour and 20 or so.. not long.
