My wife and I will be traveling from Paris to Avignon and back in Mid-May. We will be leaving Paris on a Sunday, and returning from Avignon on the following Saturday. As the tickets are non-refundable, we are wondering how far in advance we should book our tickets.
Thank you!
Posted by
Loire Valley
824 posts
As soon as tickets are available, assuming you're on a budget. The closer to the date it gets, the more expense tickets will be. You also run the risk of tickets selling out, especially if you're travelling on a long weekend.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2012 posts
The French National Train company, SNCF, offers some train tix, called “Prem’s Tickets,” at up to 75% off when they first go on sale normally 90 days in advance of your travel date. That said. www.SNCF-connect.com has recently been saying they go on sale 120 days in advance.
The Prem’s tickets used to be non-refundable. Now they are refundable and exchangeable under new rules which are posted on SNCF’s website.
You might also want to check the user-friendly British website www.TheTrainline.com
where Ouigo Grand Vitesse TGV tickets for mid-May already are on sale for as low as $22. Ouigo is SNCF’s low-cost division. Same TGV trains, same parent company.
Select Paris “Gare de Lyon” for your Paris train station and “Avignon TGV” or “Avignon Center” for your other station when buying your tickets online. And be sure you precisely use the exact spelling of your name as it is on your passport before purchasing the ticket.
Have a great Trip!