book with tgv or wait until we get to France?

Posted by Melissa (Boise, ID, United States) on 04/29/09 06:30 PM

I'm sure this topic has been covered but I did the advance google search for it and didn't find anything too relevant.

Is it better to book online for point-to-point train tickets or wait until I get to France? I have found fares and times on tgv.com and gotten a total of $322 for Paris to Arles, Arles to Nice, and Nice to Milan. I don't know if this is a good deal?? This price is for 2 people under 26.

I know I have to make reservations for some trains, but couldn't I do this a few days before?

Posted by Tim

Minneapolis, MN, USA

04/29/09 08:11 PM

8700 posts

If you book as far in advance as possible (up to three months allowed) at www.tgv-europe.com, you can get fares as low as €40 for Paris-Arles, €28 for Arles-Nice, and €15 for Nice-Milan. At today's exchange rate, that's a total of $111 US/person. If you wait until a few days before, you'll have to pay full fare which could be as much as $188/person. To keep the site in English and to avoid being bumped to the Rail Europe site, choose Great Britain as both your country of residence and the country in which you will retrieve your tickets. You'll be able to pick up your tickets at any SNCF station or boutique (ticket shop) in France, even though you initially chose Great Britain.

Posted by Dennis

Redmond, WA

04/29/09 09:12 PM

295 posts

By waiting, you can also end up without a place on the train. Last summer the TGV Paris to Arles was full, and we were glad we had reservations we made long before.

Posted by Melissa OP

Boise, ID, United States

04/30/09 10:13 AM

158 posts

I have been trying all morning to book these train tickets and at the end after I've entered my credit card info, it cancels my request due to a technical problem???

Posted by Tim

Minneapolis, MN, USA

04/30/09 11:34 AM

8700 posts

There may indeed be problems on the site. However, before you try booking again I suggest that you call your credit card provider's customer service number and find out if a block has been put on your card for overseas transactions. Sometimes a computer will do that for what it recognizes as unusual--and therefore possibly fraudulent--use.