We have a Saver Pass that covers France. We want to take the 7:07 am train from Paris to Carentan on Monday, September 24 of this year. Will our rail pass cover this journey? A message on tgv-europe.com states "In 'no booking' trains, seats are unreserved." when I look up this trip. Rail Europe's website says that reservations are recommened, but not required. I called their 800 number and the person I talked to said that reservations are required for that train/time, not just recommened. He said that SNCF isn't offering any reservations for pass holders for that time so I would have to just buy a whole ticket to take that train. He suggested taking the 6:45 train that is allowing just reservations to be made (but then we would have to change trains at Caen). Would we be safe to just show up with our Saver Pass and be able to board the 7:07?
Posted by
OP
Apache, OK
109 posts
Other information that might be helpful for you to help me with my question: We are a group of 3. We would like to sit together, but we can be separated. We will arrive in Paris just the day before (Sunday). I don't know if that is enough time to make the reservation if we do have to take the 6:45 train.
Posted by
OP
Apache, OK
109 posts
Voyages-sncf.com is selling tickets for the direct route for our date/time. I am using the French version, not a English translated version.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
I checked the Rail Europe site and found the same thing that you did: reservations are recommended but not required. That would make the RE agent you talked to wrong. I did a dummy booking on voyages-sncf.com and wasn't even given the opportunity to buy a seat reservation. Don't count on my advice, but I think you should be fine just showing up and boarding the 07:07 train.
Posted by
OP
Apache, OK
109 posts
Thanks Tim.
Posted by
Fairview Park, Ohio, USA
28 posts
We stayed in Bayeux and found it more centrally located. We had a Saver Pass as well and took a train at 1pm without reservations. The railpass comes with a timetable book and you can find exactly the times and if reservations are needed or not. Buy the passes now so you can have time to look it over. The passes are valid on the first day of using them. Rick's website is a great resource! Stick with it instead of calling.
Posted by
OP
Apache, OK
109 posts
Thanks for sharing your experience, Karen.
Posted by
OP
Apache, OK
109 posts
The train took an extra 45 minutes to get us to Carentan. Mr. Siebold of D-Day Tours had to hustle us along to make up for the lost time. The return train got us back to Paris an hour late. Oh well, we still made it to Hard Rock for dinner. No one checked our rail pass for either journey. Kinda bummed we didn't get it stamped for that day (it is a 5 day in 2 months pass).
Posted by
OP
Apache, OK
109 posts
He wanted to get us to the American cemetery on time. I personally didn't feel rushed. I hope the other customers who arrived on time didn't feel rushed. I thoroughly enjoyed his way of explaining the sites.
Posted by
OP
Apache, OK
109 posts
He wanted to get us to the American cemetery on time. I personally didn't feel rushed. I hope the other customers who arrived on time didn't feel rushed. I thoroughly enjoyed his way of explaining the sites.