I will be going to Paris and France (first time) in May. There are a lot of posts regarding reserving trains in advance. I play to buy a France rail pass for 6 or 8 days of train travel. Do I still need to make trip reservations in advance?
My itinerary at this point includes trips from Paris - Versailles (day trip), Paris - Giverny/Caen, Paris to Beaune (and returns from these destinations). Also considering Barcelona, Chamonix and Bruges.
Merci!
Posted by
Green Bay
20085 posts
I would not buy a French rail pass.
Paris-Versailles is on the local RER network. You can just buy a ticket (or 2 tickets, one going, one returning) for 3.45 euro each way. They are small magnetic strip tickets, you need to stick it in the turnstile to open it to the platform AND THE SAME TICKET to exit the platform at the arrival station in Versailles. Then discard it and use the other ticket exactly the same way returning. No reservation. It's just a commuter train.
Paris-Beaune will be on TGV as far as Dijon, then local train to Beaune. You can probably get a one day return ticket in advance cheaper than a pass day. Paris-Barcelona is TGV. Get an advance ticket with a seat reservation. Bruges is in Belgium, so a French pass would only get you as far as the border. You would probably use the Thalys train and advance tickets will be less than using a pass.
Posted by
Oregon
111 posts
I recommend firming up your trip plan. It always pays to reserve ahead for TGV trains, which are for sale now. With a railpass, seats reservations are limited and may sell out weeks in advance, so plan to book them at http://ricksteves.raileurope.com/us/rail/point_to_point/triprequest.htm at the same time that you buy the pass. If you choose point-to-point tickets for the TGV routes, advance-purchase "Prems" discounts are much cheaper and also sell out quickly; see tips for buying at http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/france-rail-passes#ticket-tips. You don't need Spain on the pass (the TGV reservation covers you all the way) and you can buy a separate ticket from Lille to Bruges if you go that direction.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4044 posts
You're right that there are lots of posts, so you will have read the frequent opinion that reserved seats available to pass--holders may be limited. You only mention two trips of any distance; Versailles is a commute. It is hard to believe a pass will save over regular tickets purchased well in advance. Since your time appears limited, committing to a firm schedule would seem essential.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
If you decide to go to Barcelona, you might want to look at Vueling .com and fly.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco Bay Area
79 posts
Thanks for the recommendations regarding making reservations in advance. I should clarify my itinerary further. I will be there for just over 3 weeks (20 days) not including travel days. Using the France only railpass for 6 travel days is $360. When I add the individual ticket fares based on RS map to Beaune RT and Bayeux RT it comes to $300. Add in Chamonix (from Beaune & return to Paris) is another $270, or Barcelona RT is $340. Seems like the pass is well worth it. I realize there are additional fees for the TGV trains, and a trip to Bruges would not be covered by the France pass.