I am trying to purchase tickets for my wife and myself from Paris to Venice on the Artesia night train for this June. Not only have I gotten 3 different prices (from $340 for 2 on railpass.com to $740 on alleuroperail) but am also confused about accomodations. We want a first class compartment for two. Alleuroperail quotes an "Adult Double First Class", while the other two offer "Railbest Ticket, or First Class Sleeper compartment, T3. Isn't T3 a three person compartment, and, if so, will there be another person in with us?
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada
521 posts
Hi Fred,
I recommend that you take a look directly at the Artesia website as they have fares posted there. Choose to enter in English, click the little European map on the lower left, click on Paris then Venice, click "validate itinerary", and then click on "our fares" at the bottom left.
If you cannot find the fare that is offered on the Artesia website through one of the places that you have mentioned, you can consider going with Euraide, who are based in Munich and can make the reservations for you. The only thing is that they have a service fee of $50 for helping you out, but you can have them perform multiple reservations for that one-time fee.
To answer your question, yes a T3 is a three-person compartment and there probably would be another person booked in there as well.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you book your tickets ASAP at tgv-europe.com, you may still be able to get a GAINAN69 fare of €140 for a bed in a 2-person sleeper. The FLEXI fare is €175.
To keep the site in English and to avoid being bumped to the Rail Europe site, choose Great Britain as both your country of residence and the country in which you will retrieve your tickets. You will be able to pick up your tickets at any SNCF station or boutique (ticket shop) in France, even though you originally chose Great Britain.
Choose 1st class. You'll be shown a DEPART fare and a FLEXI fare for bunks in a 1st class (4-person) couchette. Click on "Details" and you'll be able to click on a drop-down menu which will allow you to pick 1st class double. The fare will automatically be re-calculated.
Posted by
OP
Harlingen, Texas
6 posts
THANK YOU for the VERY helpful information. One more concern, the credit card stated that a "foreign or card without a chip" could not be used to pick up the tickets. Since I am from Texas, I would assume I have a "foreign" card and none of my credit cards (CitiCard, CapitalOne, etc.) have a chip on them, is this a problem?
Thanks again for your help.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You are correct. None of your cards will work in the ticket machines at the station. However, if you go to a ticket window, the agent will swipe your card "the old fashioned way" and give you your tickets. Doing that is always an option, even if it doesn't say so on the Web site. Just be prepared to stand in line.
Posted by
OP
Harlingen, Texas
6 posts
THANKS again for the info. I think I'll try to pick my tickets up a day early so I can see how things work and solve any problems that might arise.