It is my understanding that the number of TGV seats for railpass passengers is quite limited, and that often you have pay a special $27 fee to get on trains when all railpass seats are booked. Next month, I'll be doing Paris/Reims (rt), Paris/Strasbourg(1-way), and some more complex trips with TGV segments. What experience have you had with rail passes on TGV trains this time of year? Are the railpass seats sold out? And how/where do you make reservations? I'd welcome any info... Thanks
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
I can't tell you what the odds are that railpass seats will be sold out for any of your routes. However, your chances of that happening in May are certainly less than for summer travel.
You can buy all your seat reservations at once at any SNCF station in France.
Posted by
Sacramento
38 posts
Sherry -- I'm doing what you're doing and have had no trouble making reservations for the TGV trains/railpass combination. It's difficult to get an immediate (same day or next day) reservation with a railpass, but a few days out seems to be doable. My reservation for Paris-Reims was only 3 Euro with a first-class railpass. I'd suggest that if you are certain of your travel dates, make the reservations as soon as you can. If they are flexible, allow 4-5 days for the reservations. If you will be making your reservations when you're in France, try to use one of the SNCF boutique offices -- they are SO much easier and more pleasnt to use than trying to do this at the stations.