We will be traveling by train or bus in early May.
Are these routes best reserv ed online well ahead or is day before adequate?
Are these local trains or high speed?
Where can schedules and prices be found?
Do not speak french but can use Google translate. A bit confused by british site snvoyage.
Thanks in advance for any help here.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
For times and prices see: http://voyages-sncf.com
This is the SNCF (French National Railways) site, it is not British. But you can switch it to whatever language you like. This is not a very user-friendly site to use.
The site will show you fares, what type of train it is (TGV, TER, CAR (which is French for bus), etc.), and if a reservation is needed. Basically, if the train is a TGV (High Speed Train) you need a reservation, otherwise not. Nice to Arles in May costs about €40.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
There's no deadline to buy these train tickets, but once you buy them, most will be for reserved dates, times, and seat assignments. Both routes don't show much discount for advance purchase. Between Arles and Toulouse, DB train schedules reflect a couple of direct trains, running most days around 9:00 and 15:00, which you'll probably prefer to the departures requiring connections; these departures are only for sale starting 2 months in advance through SNCF or Rail Europe ($37 in 2nd class or $57 in 1st).
Posted by
USA
380 posts
We used the https://www.capitainetrain.com/en site to buy tickets last year. They are one of a new breed of resellers the national train networks allow to access their internal database so you'll get the same trains and prices SNCF offers but with an easier to use interface and they take US credit cards. Depending on the train you can either get print-at-home tickets or ones that can be picked up at any train station in France.