I have a flexi rail pass (first and second class). Do I need to book (read pay - $123 one way it says) for a seat reservation for the direct train from Paris to Lyon? Or can we just get on and chose a seat not reserved. Didn't know if this was a train we had to have a reservation? I tried calling Rail Europe and due to high call volume they were no longer accepting calls.
Thank you in advance!
If it says TGV INOUI train which cover that route direct in a little over 2 hours then you will need seat reservations.
All high speed trains TGV require seat reservations. $123 sound about right last minute on that busy route when France is hosting the Womens World Cup this summer.
There is a slower train regional or TER that leaves from Paris Bercy Bourgogne-Pays d’Auvergne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gare_de_Paris-Bercy-Bourgogne-Pays_d%27Auvergne
That train takes 5 hours and you do not need a seat reservation just hop on.
What specific day and time you are trying to travel?
Tell us the date and time or train number of the train you are trying to reserve, but it is almost 100% certain that yes you need a seat reservation as it's almost 100% certain that you are trying to book a TGV.
Thanks all! Yes, we have a flexi pass that I thought covers First & Second and it says when I book the reservation that I'm paying for a seat upgrade to first. Does that sound right though?
9:59AM from Paris to Lyon. on Tuesday, July 3rd. Return on July 3rd at 11:30AM back to Paris.
We are going to the World Cup and now scrambling for a place to stay in Lyon for one night because of the late game and no trains to get back that night. Have a pending airbnb that I hope goes through.
If they advance, I will need to book again for the 7th. Can you make a reservation and cancel without penalty?
Tuesday is July 2nd. It sounds as if the current plan is to travel to Lyon on July 2 (Tue) and return to Paris on July 3 (Wed). But if the right team wins the July 2 game it will play again later, and you'll need to make another round-trip to Lyon on July 7 - 8. Do I have that right?
We would try to make a day trip on the 7th. In and out same day.
Thank you for your help!!!
If there is a seat reservation to be had, you had better grab it. Trainline shows the 9:59 train from Paris to Lyon on Tuesday July 2 as sold out . (As are the trains at 10:59 and 11:53.)
Trains still showing available (in first class only) at 8:59 and 12:59, with second-class tickets available for the trains leaving Paris at 14:59, 15:48, and 16:19.
I woudn't count on any of those tickets being around for long — if I had tickets for a game in Lyon, I would purchase my seat reservation and be done with it.
And the trains that take longer and require a change are still available — but the one that leaves Paris Bercy station st 13:33 doesn’t arrive in Lyon until 18:44. (The 15:33 arrives in Lyon at 20:44).
Booked it!!! Thank you everyone.
It’s expensive but oh well at this point. Just hoping this pending Airbnb goes through. And I can stress less.
Do you think I should make reservations for last two finals games and buy protection plan if I need to cancel as needed?
You should definitely book the train tickets for the finals games as the tickets can be refunded for a small fee, unless otherwise stated.
I understand you've already made your booking, although not sure about the price. I currently (a whole day later), see Rail Europe selling 2nd class passholder reservations on the tomorrow's 9:59 TGV departure for $23 per person, or 1st class on two earlier departures at the same rate, and on some afternoon trains. Also looks like all trains available for returning on July 3.
In the end, Rail Europe cancelled three seat different reservations that I had made. It kept showing the option to buy and I would and then they would cancel it.
I am going to mail back my passes for a refund. We rented a car instead.
Thanks all for the help!
