We're trying to buy online tickets from the German Rail site for travel from Stuttgart, Germany to Colmar, France on December 27. The online site will not allow us to purchase tickets--the "purchase" button is dimmed. Does that mean that seats are not available or that we've waited too late for online purchase and need to buy them when we arrive? Is that likely to be a busy travel time for that route? Thanks!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
You may have cut it too close, unfortunately. The French national rail service shows seats available, but won't allow any bookings over the internet, throwing up the message, "Foreign reservations closed." I even get this message when trying the French version of their website, so it must be reading my IP address. You'll have to head for a German railways ticket office as soon as you arrive but, since it's the busy Christmas season, you may still be out of luck. You might try phoning the French national rail service English number...011 33 8 9235 3537...or the Bahn call center at 011 49 1805 996-633.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
3262 posts
That's what I was afraid of...we'll just have to flexible! It's a good lesson. Thanks for your suggestions!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Your problem is not that seats are sold out but that you have to make a connection while starting in one country and ending in another. (This wouldn't be an issue if you didn't have to change trains.) You can book online for 27 December if you do it this way: (1) book Stuttgart-Strasbourg at www.bahn.de and (2) book Strasbourg-Colmar at www.voyages-sncf.com.
Posted by
in a train schedule...
267 posts
Or, you could book the whole trip with the SNCF.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
If you book the ticket with sncf, you probably have to pick it up in France. That might not be possible if are starting in Stuttgart. But, as Tim suggested, you can book some Stuttgart to Strasbourg connections online with a credit card and print out the ticket at home before you go.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
3262 posts
Thanks for the great suggestions--they all were helpful! We found a TGV train on the German rail site that will get us from Stuttgart to Strasbourg--more money than we wanted to pay but it gets us there and quickly! From Strasbourg there are hourly trains to Colmar.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
435 posts
Would you do me a favor and post after you return from your trip? I've been trying to find a low budget way to get to Colmar. I want to see the Isenheim Alterpiece!
Thanks and have a great trip.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
3262 posts
Absolutely Matti! I'll try to find out the most cost effective way to get to Colmar--it may be that this is just a busy time to travel in that region and we waited too long to make reservations. I'll check it out and let you know.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Matti,
Where will you be starting from when you go to Colmar?
For Sharon's route, the standard 2nd class fare on TGVs from Stuttgart to Strasbourg is 39€. Booked well in advance at www.bahn.de, the Europa-Spezial Frankreich fare is €19. The fare for regional trains between Strasbourg and Colmar is 10.20€ (no discounts).
Posted by
in a train schedule...
267 posts
Oops, Lee, thanks for that reminder. Have a nice time in Alsace :)