I plan to make around trip by train from Paris to Chartres on September 11. Should I pre-purchase train tickets? Do trains to and from Chartres very often sell out?
Posted by
Green Bay
20977 posts
They can't sell out, they are TER trains, like Metro trains, they can pack as many people as can stand if need be, but I don't see that happening. There are no seat reservations, so a person buying a ticket 15 seconds before departure on a smart phone has exactly the same rights as the person who buys a ticket a month in advance. Get to the platform 15 minutes early when they spot the train and you will be among the first people to board if you are worried about finding a seat. The return is a different matter, as the train will be arriving from the preceding station on the way to Paris and will only stop long enough to get everyone on board. But by then you will know what to expect as far as crowding goes.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23562 posts
No point or advantage to advance purchase. Buy it at the station.
Posted by
OP
28 posts
Thanks for the replies. Glad to know I can purchase the day of.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
If you need to start really early, it might save some time getting your ticket ahead. Sometimes I buy the ticket the day before so I know how to get to the station and find the boarding platform. It depends on whether I expect it to be difficult and how far out of my way I'd have to go to stop by the day before.