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Lille or Lille Flandres? SNCF Question

Posted by (Seattle, WA, US) on

We are approaching our 90 day window to buy PREMS tickets, so I'm doing some practice runs on the sites so when it comes time, I'm not confused, or worse, buy a ticket to the wrong place?

What is the difference between Lille or Lille Flandres? Our plan is to take a train from Brugge to Lille (Lv approx 10:30, arr 11:54) and catch the TGV to Paris. When I look, the TGV leaves Lille Flandres station at 12:00 or 13:00 (we can catch earlier train to Lille if needed or wait until 13:00). Which station should I book?

Also, previous post said something about not being able to print Paris to Bayeux tickets? When I go on SNCF I can get all the way to "Choose to Collect" and it gives me the print option. Perhaps I misunderstood and the problem is there is no seat reservation on Bayeux/Caen leg? I was going to book that leg with the 90 day PREM too and do the same for the return to Paris.

One final SNCF question. Is there a way to see a seat map? When I click on my selection, it has both of us sitting separate and we of course would like to be together! Thank you!

Posted by
3112 posts

There are 2 train stations in Lille. Local trains (e.g. from Bruge) arrive at one station, you walk 5-10 minutes to the other station and catch the TGV there. I did it in reverse a couple of years ago and it was easy. Think I had about 20 minutes between trains. Six minutes sounds tight.

Posted by
504 posts

Thanks Frank! I think we'll look at staying in town for the hour layover and maybe grab a something to eat to bring on board for a light picnic lunch.

SNCF gives both options (Lille and Lille Flandres) for the road to Paris, so does it really matter which one I book from, or are they the same? I couldn't get on the site right now, so I'll look again later and see if the departure times are the same.

Posted by
3112 posts

Don't remember the names of the 2 stations, but recall that the TGV trains only used one of them. I suspect that when you look at details of the 2 options, one will show a walk to the other station as the first part of the trip.

Posted by
267 posts

I love Google!

Lille Train Stations

You are correct in your second assumption: there is no seat reservation on the Bayeux-Caen segment of the trip. Book the trip online away.

Sitting together:
The site doesn't allow travelers to select seats on local trains. Your best bet would be to arrive at the station early and find two unreserved seats next to each other. (Reserved seats have a yellow/red piece of paper above the seat).

Posted by
504 posts

Martine-Thank you for the map of Lille! Very helpful! When I look at the Paris to Bayeux (or even just Caen) it has the Corail leg where it gives us seats but they are separate from each other (even 89 days out with the cheapest PREM of 30E). They were lower deck, Coach 10 Seats 13 and 17 (middle). When you selected the part "Choisir Ma Place" it said no places available.

So are you saying just show up a bit earlier to the Paris station and try to find some seats together without the reserved tag? On the plus side, I did notice the PREM fare was the same for a couple of the trains whether going just to Caen or to Bayeux!

Posted by
267 posts

So are you saying just show up a bit earlier to the Paris station and try to find some seats together without the reserved tag?

Yes, that is what I am suggesting.

Posted by
504 posts

Great, thanks Martine! Worst case, we'll have to sit apart and interact with others! :-) That's a novel idea when traveling abroad!

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