I have a 5-day 3-Country Select Saver Pass I tried to book Paris to Lucerne for 18 Aug. on the 10:23 AM train as it is listed in the Eurail Timetable brochure. However, that time for train departure is not popping up on the on-line Internet Eurail schedule for Select Saver (Passholders). In addition, the brochure lists a TGV train but on-line it is SNCF. Why is there a discrepancy? This is my first-time booking via Eurail. Thanks, Also - why do only SNCF trains dispay as available. Your timetable booklet shows TGV trains?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32813 posts
TGV is only a class of trains - Train de Grande Vitesse (my French spelling is poor at the end of the day) - that's literally High Speed Train. SNCF is the French national train company, Society National de Chemins de Fer - National company of Iron Road. The TGVs are run by the SNCF, or SNCF consortia.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32813 posts
Your timetable booklet Rick Steves staffers don't work here. This helpline, provided by them, is semi-autonomous and staffed by fellow travelers like you.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I defer to others on how to book trains with passes. But I can clarify one of your questions. SNCF is the acronym for the French national rail company (the equivalent of Amtrak in the US). TGV is the acronym for France's fastest trains (like Acela in the US). I'm not sure if the accent marks will come through correctly in this post, but it's Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer and Train à Grande Vitesse, respectively, in case you were interested. So, all TGV's are operated by SNCF, but not all trains operated by SNCF are TGV's. SNCF has all kinds of other trains, with names like Lunea and Teoz. The name isn't really important; what matters is whether you need a reservation, in which case you have to get one even with your pass. You also need to know that the number of reservations available for pass holders on each train is limited, and I've read reports of people with passes not being able to get on the trains they wanted (when there were seats available for regular fares - just not passholders).
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Nigel and I were posting at the same time (great minds...)