I have been researching tickets from the www.en.voyages-sncf.com all morning, trying to book tickets early from Paris to Arles for September. I found that there was one TGV train that travels straight to Arles with no connections that costs 86E. I was overjoyed to see this! But, when trying to book it, I had to choose between mailing the actual tickets to myself or picking the tickets up at the station with a chip and pin card. Like most US citizens, I do not have a chip and pin card, which made me choose to mail it to myself. Unfortunately, to make sure that the tickets arrive to the correct destination, I need to update my information to picking up the tickets in the US---making the site transfer me to raileurope.com and a fare of $136.00 with a shipping fee around $20. So, long story short, I have no idea what to do next. If I use the raileurope.com site, it looks like I will be paying $40 more than what I would if I used the sncf site. But, I can't guarantee that I will receive my tickets if I chance the sncf site. Does anybody have updated information on how a US citizen, without a chip and pin card, book train tickets on the sncf site?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Choose France as your ticket collection country. Choose picking up the ticket at a ticket machine using a chip & pin card, even thought you don't have one. Picking up a ticket at a station ticket window is always possible, even if it isn't listed as an option. After all, what would people do if a machine is out of order? Just be sure to present the confirmation number you'll receive by e-mail and the credit card you used when booking.
Posted by
OP
Sumner
3 posts
Thank you Tim for your reply! I read somewhere that I can obtain my pin number with my account. Will that help me with getting the tickets?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You're welcome, Rachel. Yes, you can call customer service for your credit card provider and request a four-digit PIN. It's possible that the agent at the ticket window will ask you for a PIN even though the agent will swipe your card. It's not a bad idea to have a PIN for your credit card. If your debit card failed to work in an ATM, in an emergency you could use your credit card to get cash. However, be aware that the transaction will be treated as a cash advance and you will pay interest on it from day one.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Rachel, usually, you can print TGV tickets out at home. I did go through a dummy purchase for Paris/Arles and sure enough, you can't print these tickets at home. However, you can pick up the tickets at any staffed train station in France. True, for the machine, you need a chip and pin card. But, you can go up to a ticket window, show your credit card and pick up your tickets. The SNCF website says to use the credit card you used to purchase your ticket to pick up your ticket. Since you can't use the machine, just show it to the agent. They only want to see it for ID. In many cases, your passport will do nicely for the ID part.
Posted by
OP
Sumner
3 posts
Thank you so much, Tim and Larry. I was able to purchase the tickets and I will bring my printed confirmation and learn the pin for my card! I did find, for somebody's future reference, that my card was declined on the first try. My bank called me to confirm my attempts and I was later able to purchase the ticket after my confirmation....maybe my bank put up a hold on purchases overseas since I do not travel much? I don't know.
Posted by
chicago, il
113 posts
You should contact your credit card issuer before leaving as well to make sure your card does not get blocked.
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
Rachael, you'll also be able to pick up your tickets at any SNCF boutique which I find often more convenient and a shorter line. Also if for some reason your cc is cancelled before the trip, take your cancelled card anyway for ID!
Have a wonderful time!