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train question - ticket pickup at SNCF counter?

Posted by (New York City, NY) on

I have booked a trip in early September through the SNCF website from Paris to Sarlat, stopping in Agen and Le Buisson. I was able to print out the TGV tickets as far as Agen but it says that I must collect the other tickets from an automatic ticket machine at the SNCF boutique counter using the bank card I used for online payment.

My question is that I used an ordinary Bank of America VISA card to book these, using Rick's instructions in his France book. Am I going to be out of luck since it doesn't have a chip in it? Should I try to cancel those tickets and just buy new ones through Rail Europe, hoping I can get a seat on the train I want? I'm going to have a taxi come to take me from the Sarlat train station to my hotel. Would it be possible to use the Bank of America card with an agent but not at a machine at an SNCF office?

I find all the train bookings a little stressful and would very much appreciate some advice from a seasoned traveler! Thanks!

Posted by
2296 posts

I think you'll be O.K. In my experience,they want the credit card for verification. If it doesn't, then the agent at the counter should be able to help you. It might be something you want to do when you first arrive in Paris; it will put your mind at ease and they have SCNF boutiques all over Paris or any train station.

Posted by
4161 posts

You won't be able to use the machine as it does require a chip and pin card , but an agent will certainly be able to print the ticket for you , no difficulty . absolutely have the credit card for verification

Posted by
301 posts

Well, that certainly puts my mind at ease. I had visions of being stranded in Agen! Thank you so much, Patty and Steven!

Posted by
16895 posts

Just go to the ticket window with your confirmation number and tell the agent that your card did not work in the ticket machine. They are used to that. (For people who can use the machines, that's the preferred method, to reduce lines for the agents.)

Posted by
10621 posts

Go to the ticket counter in Paris because it's larger than Agen. There will be fewer ticket windows and shorter hours in Agen. You'll have absolutely no problem.

Posted by
69 posts

Dorothy, You have time to apply for ans recieve a credit card with a chip. I got one in about a week from Barclays Master Card. It has the additional benefit of not charging transaction fees when used abroad. I plan to use it when purchasing fuel from gas pumps, purchasing tickets from kiosks, and etc.
Have a good trip

Posted by
7803 posts

HI Dorothy,

You're fine with the non-chip & pin card. Yes, they're just looking to see that it's actually you who charged the ticket; I always just went to the ticket counter. The trains are a great transportation option. Unless you're driving, you can easily get by without another credit card. Just use your ATM card to withdraw money.

Posted by
301 posts

Thanks so much to all of you. Schwab, the card I use at ATM machines in Europe, promises to have a card with a chip in it by July. Don't know why the others are putting up so much resistance.
I felt a little dishonest using the SNCF site and putting that I'm a resident of France. I'm making a number of day trips in France in September and think I could have saved even more money if I'd used that site for all my tickets. Is it a good idea to use it for non-TGV trains too? I've read Rick's section on trains carefully and am still a little mystified.
Thank you, everyone!

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