I have a 4 country select rail pass and I am confused on how to make reservations on the TGV leg of my journey from Munich to Paris. I have gone to the France rail website and the Rail Europe website. They give a ticket price to cover this leg. Does this include the reservation fee or is this just an up charge to travel on the high speed train with a pass. Which website is the best place to book tickets?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
For a lot of French trains, they don't feel that a rail pass is sufficient to cover the cost of a premium train like the TGV, so a supplement is required to use the train. But since all seats on those trains are reserved, paying the supplement also gives you a seat reservation.
I think you are always better off getting the ticket on the French Rail website as opposed to RailEurope.
Posted by
3439 posts
If you bought the rail pass from RailEurope, then I would just call RailEurope and buy the reservation from them. It won't be cheap but it will be easy.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Booking online is cheaper than booking by phone with an agent. I do see pass holder reservations available through Rail Europe for some random dates in May, when I think you are traveling, as well as for next Wednesday.
There is only one daily direct TGV from Paris to Munich. I'm finding reservations for that one and the connecting schedules as well, or you can try requesting your reservation just from Paris to a connection point like Stuttgart or Mannheim. The leg within Germany does not need reservations.
If these additional searches only return "Tickets found," then that means that their supply of reservations is sold out (or they don't have enough for your whole group). In that case, try emailing Karen at [email protected]. The Euraide office books it in Germany (expect a shipping fee) and I understand that they have a different supply of reservations than those that Rail Europe accesses through France.
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thank you so much for both of your suggestions. I booked my reservations tonight with Rail-Europe. The price was a lot cheaper tonight than two days ago and I was afraid my bank would reject my purchase with the French Rail Site (I have given them my travel dates in May so I shouldn't have trouble there but trying to reserve hotels and buying museum/attraction tickets in advance has been difficult because I have to call every time and verify the transaction before they will pay) . I wanted to make sure I got them tonight while the fares were lower.