What app to use to buy train tickets in France?

Trains only go to a few places like Selestat and Strasbourg. For nearby towns and villages, you just take local buses. The French national train company is www.sncf-connect.com

How about for getting tickets to Strasborg?

Most people just buy their train tix at the train stations as there’s no need to pre-purchase them.

I find SNCF easy to use. (Link noted above).

Re “just buy at train station advice” - I find an app easier and more predictable. Not all stations have manned booths, I know how my apps operate whereas ticket machines aren’t all the same, lines for machines or ticket booths can be circumvented with an app, the app gives full info on options which an agent may not discuss options or may not be able to answer questions except in French (not every English speaking traveler can handle French discussions), ticket in Wallet is easy to use and not misplace in which pocket of my purse or jacket, etc.

I’ve purchased a number of short haul tickets while walking to a station or literally standing on a platform.

Kenko - I’m curious what experiences you’ve had that lead to the conclusion that most travelers purchase at the station. Quite possible, but not my experience.

I'll agree with ORD: the SNCF app is extremely convenient, and once you have purchased a ticket it gives updates on delays and other potential issues. I'm using it right as I'm typing this.

Most people just buy their train tix at the train station

It depends on where you want to go to Strasbourg from. If Paris, I would recommend buying in advance. You would pay a pretty penny to buy a walk-up ticket from Paris to Strasbourg on the day.

(I understand OP probably meant Colmar to Strasbourg. But I am leaving my comment for someone who might come through and read this thread later with Paris on their mind.)

As to what app I use to buy my tickets, I usually use Trainline.

Kim - absolutely no snark or criticism here. I'm always looking to improve my knowledge and methods!

As a local in Paris, I wonder why you prefer Trainline to SNCF? I have not used Trainline other than to briefly survey the online website. Do you find advantages in the app over SNCF?

Guessing: I don't like SNCF as much as Deutsche Bahn when traveling out of France. Perhaps international considerations are part of your preference for Trainline?

We found using the SNCF app very easy and convenient. Our tickets would appear as QR code in the app. The only time it didn't is when we departed Lille and went to Belgium. That required getting a paper ticket at a kiosk which was not working very well and we couldn't find anyone to assist us. We asked locals to help and even they couldn't figure out the problem until finally an employee did come around and she said, not this kiosk. Then walked us 100 yards to another non descript kiosk which we'd never have seen or found on our own. So as someone mentioned above, using ticket kiosks can be precarious.

LOL. Kim has always preferred Trainline for ease and clarity. I have never had a problem with SNCFConnect, always use it, and have never used Trainline. No advantage of one over the other. ;-)

As you know, over the years, a lot of visitors come here and complain about SNCFConnect being too confusing. This is the first thread where people are saying they use it with ease.

I have just found Trainline more intuitive and easier to use.

However, with Trenitalia now running routes on French lines (for a couple of years now on Paris-Lyon-Chambery-Milan-Turin, and now additionally Paris-Marseille), Trainline shows me the whole set of options rather than just the SNCF trains.

(Right now I don't have an SNCF advantage card that would tie me to needing to take SNCF on those routes. If I did have a card this year, like Elizabeth, of course it wouldn't matter to me to see the Italian competitor's offerings.)

No matter what website you use if you are using TGV or Intercités train then those tickets always need to be purchased well in advance (up to 3 months and often more) to get the cheapest fares. So if you wait until the last minute to buy TGV or Intercités train tickets for travel anywhere in France you will be guaranteed to be paying the most expensive price. So buy your Strasbourg/Paris tickets well in advance if you want the cheapest price. If you are using the local TER trains in any region of France (like Strasbourg to Colmar) then those tickets have fixed prices so you can buy them on the day of travel. I've never been to the Strasbourg/Colmar area but some regions in France may have options for local rail passes that "might" save you money depending on how often you'll use the local TER trains. https://www.ter.sncf.com/grand-est