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Trains on May 1

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Our current plans include travel on May 1, 2026 by train from Avignon to Lyon. We would like to travel in the morning. We are confused about the current schedule, not knowing if most trains will not be running at all, or if they simply are not available for purchase yet. Any helpful advice?

SNCF indicates many options as "not bookable yet", but does show a VERY limited number currently for sale for 51-61 euros. It indicates the TGV Lyria is fully booked. Does that mean only those few are available on May 1, OR, will some of the other options showing "not-bookable yet" become available later?

Posted by
3833 posts

There are a lot of trains making the Avignon to Lyon trip on May 1. SNCF has not yet opened ticket sales for many of the trains showing as “not bookable yet.” However, if you take a look at www.TheTrainline.com you’ll see there’s a TGV train departing at 8:06am from Avignon and arriving into Lyon at 9:20 that has tickets currently for sale on Trainline for $63. The TER trains take twice as long and cost $10 less on Trainline— a company SNCF contracts with to sell its tix. I usually look at Trainline’s website to see what is available and then check the price with SNCF.before buying them.

Posted by
53 posts

Thanks Kenko. I was (am) concerned primarily due to the May 1 holiday. I know trains/busses can have a very limited schedule on that day, so was not clearif "not available yet" could also mean that they might not be available at all. If the schedule states not yet, can I assume that they will eventually be posted? I did sign up for email notification.

It was my understanding that TER trains could also be purchased closer to travel dates, without much increase in price (unlike high-speed trains with confirmed seats). Again, given May 1 holiday, I did not know if that day was a heavy travel date, or very light with most travelers trying to get to their destination before the actual holiday and weekend, as they would in the US. (Typically Christmas day or Thanksgiving day are much lighter travel than before/after).

Posted by
3833 posts

The trains posted as tickets being “not bookable yet” will have tickets put on sale very soon. I wouldn’t be too concerned about not being able to get train tix since there are so many trains that soon will have their tickets put on sale.

I was on a train a few years ago on May Day ( May 1) and the train was quite full. Not completely sold out— but heavily booked . But that was a train going into Paris which becomes party central on national holidays . Trains traveling from Avignon to Lyon will not be as heavily booked as those going into Paris.

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