After following the great advice in the RS train travel sections on France,
I've bought a bunch of point-to-point tickets for eastern France through the
convenient raileurope link, and received my confirmation codes to print out tickets
at the stations.
My question: is it possible, and a good idea, to print out tickets for later segments
rather than wait until each train trip? For example, if I come to Avignon on Friday
and am leaving on Sunday, can I print out my departing ticket when I get there on Friday
so I can save a task on Sunday?
What do the tickets that are printed in the station look like, size-wise?
Maybe I should have an envelope or holder of some kind to keep them neat/safe...
thanks,
Avi
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10176 posts
Yes, just print all your tickets at once. Why waste time standing in line at the station for every ride. Of course regional train tickets have to be bought at the station.
I print all my tickets possible before leaving the States and keep them in a file in chronological order. As a back up, all emails containing reservation numbers are flagged for easy reference.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
Do as Bets says . Two other points to add ; unless you purchase the tickets with a true chip and pin ( not chip and signature ) card , you will need to have an agent print them for you a the desk , it's quite easy , Also , oftentimes , you will be asked to produce the credit card used for the purchase as a means of verifying the validity of the transaction , make sure you bring it with you . The tickets printed at the desk are standard SNCF tickets identical to ones you would purchase on the spot . Like Bets , I carry copies of the paper work and electronic copies saved to the micro SD card in my phone ( which can also be read on a computer with the use of an adapter card ,which I also have in my day bag ) .
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
In addition to stations, you can get your tickets printed at any SNCF Boutique (you get to sit and wait for your number to be called). I agree with getting them all printed at once, and that you will need the credit card you used to purchase the tickets as well as the confirmation codes. As for ticket size, if you're old enough to remember paper airline tickets [g], the train tickets are roughly the same size.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
I would get all the tickets printed at once, but once you do, assume they are not replaceable and treat them like cash. They may be a little bulky in your money belt, but they can fit.
Posted by
OP
northern CA
2446 posts
I'm glad I asked! I was just planning on listing the confirmation codes in my notes app on my iPod,
but now I will remember to bring the relevant credit card and printouts of the emails from RS/RailEurope.
Does Lyon Part Dieu have an SNCF desk that I can do all the printing out at? I assume it must!
While I'm on the topic of train tickets, I'm waiting until day-of to buy tickets for short side-trips,
like Lyon-to-Vienne, because there appear to be many trains to choose from.
Am I making a bad assumption again? Will it be pricey to wait until the day I decide to go?
Thanks to everyone who replied earlier...
Avi
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
" I'm waiting until day-of to buy tickets for short side-trips, like Lyon-to-Vienne, because there appear to be many trains to choose from. Am I making a bad assumption again? Will it be pricey to wait until the day I decide to go?"
No, your assumption is correct. But if you're feeling unsure, you can check prices online now, looking at today/tomorrow (last minute tickets) and your travel dates (advance prices). For local routes and non-TGV trains, they should be the same, and you can confidently wait until you are there to buy. Also, these trains are usually unreserved, so don't forget to validate your ticket before getting on the train, to avoid fines.