Hi I am leaving tomorrow to France and was planning on calling SNCF to reserve our TGV tickets (we have eurail pass) and pick up the tickets once we get there. I cant seem to find the number... anyone have it? Or would there be another easier way to do this? Since we would have to go to the station anyway would it be easier to just get them in country? How would I do that? Do you think they will be all full... how common is that? We are going midday Paris to Avignon on tuesday, roundtrip Avignon to Marseille on thursday, and morning trip Avignon to Lyon on friday. Thanks!
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Phone numbers are here: http://aide.voyages-sncf.com/contactez-nous?rfrr=Homepage_header_Contactez-nous On the other hand I'm sure you'll be able to get what you need at any station ticket window or SNCF boutique once you get to Paris.
Posted by
OP
Stony Brook, NY, United States
4 posts
How early is it advisable to book? I mean, I could call but its seems easier to get them there but should I go out of my way to get them the first day (23) or get them when in the area of a boutique on 24th or 25th or is it possible to make these reservations the morning of the train?? How early do you need to have them?? thanks
Posted by
Texan in CA
4412 posts
If you can get them at your first train station, I would recommend doing that and getting it out of the way. If you wait until immediately before your train, you never know how long the line will be - non-existent, or extremely long...and if you've never dealt with a French (or Italian, or...) ticket window...oy. It can be a difficult experience ;-) I don't recall if you can even buy passholder reservations online with tgv-europe.com, but you can try there. If you are able to purchase them in advance - by phone or online - bring the credit card used to buy them!!! Very important!!! Also, if you have an American credit card, you won't be able to use the self-serve ticket machines. Bon voyage!!!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Buy your seat reservations for all your rides as soon as you get to France. SNCF limits the number of seats it allocates for passholders. If you wait too long, passholder seats may be gone even though regular seats are still available.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
Remember that poor planning on your part will not constitute an emergency on the part of a French ticket agent in the window. Buying in advance would have assured you a seat on your trains. Customer service is..... well, not what Americans are used to. Try to get all of your tickets when you arrive at the ticket window. Smile and be oh so polite and you should have no trouble.
Posted by
OP
Stony Brook, NY, United States
4 posts
so do you think I should be calling today to book? how would I go about picking it up then??
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
On the page for which Tom gave a link it looks like the number you'll need to call is 0 892 335 335. Dial 011 (US international access code) + 33 (country code for France) + 892 335 335. The initial "0" is only used for calls originating in France. If you succeed in buying your reservations, I expect that you'll be given a confirmation number. Present it along with the credit card you used for booking at any SNCF station or boutique. If you don't succeed in talking to someone who speaks English, buy your reservations as soon as you get to France. Bonne chance (good luck)!