French rail pass

Have you done the homework to determine that a pass is cheaper? Or did you just assume it would be? Remember there are supplemental fees to use a rail pass on most trains and seats for pass holders are limited on French trains.

If you book well in advance (up to three months allowed) on tgv-europe.com, you can get discount fare tickets on TGVs that will cost much less than a rail pass. For emphasis, I'll repeat what Frank wrote. SNCF (French National Rail) limits the number of seats it allocates to passholders. If you wait until the last minute to buy seat reservations, you may be out of luck even though the train isn't sold out and you will be faced with buying a full fare ticket. When will you be in France and what are the routes you will take by train?

Hi I want to thank you both for your guidance... While I am in Paris from 8/3-8/10, I want to do a day trip to Chartres and perhaps another one to a point TBD. I will also be taking the train from Paris to Geneva on 8/10. Later in August, I will be taking the train from Chamonix back to Paris. So 4 trips all together.... Given the fees you mentioned and the possibility the French pass seats are limited, Does it make sense just to forget the expense of the pass and just buy tickets as needed.... This is the bottom line: I really am grateful for your help and if we meet on some train I will buy you both drinks. Patrick

Paris-Chartres-Paris: All service is on regional trains for which no reservations are possible and there is no discount for advance booking. The 2nd class fare is €15.20 each way. Buy your tickets at the station. Paris-Geneva on 10 August: The standard 2nd class fare on a direct TGV is €92.00. You've waited too long to get a Piccolissimo discount fare (€25.00), but if you book now you still can get a Piccolo discount fare of €69.00. Book on tgv-europe.com. Uncheck the box that says "Direct trains only". To avoid being bumped to the Rail Europe site, choose France as your ticket collection country. You'll be able to print your own ticket. Chamonix-Paris: You'll need to make two connections. Since I don't know your travel date, I can't tell you what discount fare tickets still are available. The standard 2nd class fare is a little over €100.00. Uncheck the box that says "Direct trains only". If you're not given the option to print your own tickets, choose to pick them up at a SNCF station. If that option isn't given, choose to retrieve them from an automatic ticket machine. Those machines require a chip & PIN card which you probably don't have, but picking up tickets at a station window always is possible even if it isn't listed.

Thank you so much Tim.... Patrick