is there a cheap way to make a reservation by train when traveling through france. i have an open ticket with an open travel agenda and every i go to the train to make a reservation for the train in the same dayi get slapped with high rreservation fees or i am told the train is full. most of the time thez dont even look at my reservation what would be the consequences of just hopping on with my eurail with no reservation
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33849 posts
what would be the consequences of just hopping on with my eurail with no reservation If it is an unreserved train - nothing, that's what the pass is for (assuming you have it properly validated and dated). If it a reservation only train like a TGV - a very large on the spot fine and possible ejection from the train. BTW - don't questions usually end with a "?" ?
Posted by
Cary, NC
687 posts
"You can sit in seats until the person with the reservation arrives" That's true for trains for which reservations are optional. It is NOT true for trains for which reservations are mandatory - see Nigel's post. Buy the reservations ahead of time, either at a station or on http://www.sncf.com/en_EN/flash/
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10633 posts
I removed my misleading post. We had been told by train employees during strikes or heavy vacation travel days to just hop on and figure out a seat on the way. Never realized it normally incurs a heavy fine. Otherwise, we've always had a reservation. My advice shouldn't be followed!