I will need TGV reservations for the train between Paris - Strasbourg (I have a railpass). I would like to purchase these as soon as I touch down in Europe, but London is my first stop. Am I able to purchase TGV France reservations in London, and if so, how?
My apologies if this has been answered before.
RailEurope UK, like its American counterpart, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the French national rail service, SNCF. Their London travel center is at 1 Lower Regent Street, just off Piccadilly Circus. You won't have a problem getting a reservation there....providing there are any still left.
I don't know for sure, but I expect that the answer to your question is "no." Since a Eurail pass is not good in the UK, I don't think that the BritRail people would want to sell you seat reservations for a train ride on the Continent.
For a definitive answer, call the toll-free number listed on the Budget Europe Travel Service site. Their advice is free, friendly, and very professional.
would the Monday morning TGV to Strasbourg sell out a week in advance? (any time slot that morning will work, really). Now I'm getting worried...are TGVs really that popular?
Direct Paris Est - Strasbourg morning TGVs depart at 06:20, 07:14, 08:22, and 11:18. With such frequent service, the trains are not likely to sell out a week in advance. In fact, on a weekday they're not likely to sell out at all.
However, SNCF limits the number of seats it allocates to passholders. If the quota is gone on the particular train you wish to take, you may need to make a reservation on a different one. If you can be flexible on which train you take, you should be okay waiting until you get to London to make the reservation. I assume that the London office of Rail Europe will charge you more for a reservation than you would have to pay if you bought it from SNCF in Paris, but at least you won't have to pay RE's shipping fee for having it mailed to your home.
