Help! My husband and I are traveling to France and will be visiting Paris, Amboise, Beaune/Dijon, and Strasbourg. I'm stuck between two options: buying a railpass and possibly not getting a seat on a train that I want to be on (and spending a little bit more) or buying single tickets so I have a confirmed seat but if I miss the train I lose the money I already spent. I'm also not sure whether when it shows a connection whether I'm going to literally have to run around to find another train or if it's possible that I'll be on the same train. Thoughts? Thank you!
Posted by
OP
Williamsburg, VA
5 posts
Oh and would you stay in Beaune or Dijon? We were originally happier about the small town vibe in Beaune but it seems like the train travel becomes way more complicated.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you book a discount fare ticket in advance for a train that requires seat reservations (like TGVs) and miss the train, then your ticket will be worthless. If you buy a full fare ticket for that train and miss it, you can exchange the ticket for one for a later train. Tickets on regional trains are good for any such train on the route for which you bought the ticket. There is open seating on regional trains and no reservations are possible. If you would prefer to stay in Beaune, then do so. There are two or three trains/hour between Dijon and Beaune and the ride is very short. If the timetables show a connection, you will have to change trains. Where are you going after your time in Strasbourg?
Posted by
OP
Williamsburg, VA
5 posts
So not to sound stupid but I have to ask because I don't want this trip to go wrong in a hurry, I can assume that most often we will be able to find seats on a train other than a TGV using a railpass? Are the regional trains between places like Dijon and Beaune part of the railpass system as well? After Strasbourg we head back to Paris and then home.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
I would be very surprised if all seats were occupied on any regional train you would take. However, if they are, you are allowed to stand and you certainly would be able to find seats when people get off at the next stop. A railpass will be good on any SNCF (French National Rail) train in France, including the regional trains between Beaune and Dijon. The fare for Beaune-Dijon is €7.20. Here are the best advance purchase online discount fare tickets for your rides. Paris-Amboise: €10.00 Amboise-Beaune: €34.20 Beaune-Strasbourg: €34.00 Strasbourg-Paris: €22.00 To get these, you must book ASAP (up to three months allowed). There is an allotted number of discount fare tickets and the cheapest ones sell out fast.
Posted by
San Francisco
14980 posts
Lara, The connection from Strasbourg to Paris is on a TGV for which a seat reservation is mandatory even if you have a Pass. I took this route last in 2009 with my Pass as a day trip from Paris. On the regional trains (TER) you can just hop on, no need to reserve, and you will find a seat.