We will be travelling by train from Amsterdam to Paris, Paris to Avignon, Nice to Florence, Florence to Rome. (Avignon to Nice by car). We will be travelling mid June to Mid July. Our question is when and where should be purchase our train tickets. Our intinerary timetable is pretty open making purchasing much in advance not very desireable unless there was substantial savings.
Thanking you in advance for any and all assistance given.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
All the train systems are developing pricing schedules that give good discount if willing to pay early and lock yourself in to a fixed schedule. These tickets are often no refundable so if you want to change or miss a a train you are stuck. You will not have any problem buying a ticket the day before or of travel since trains rarely if ever sell out. Buy your tickets from the national train sites. Rail Europe and others are travel agencies or resellers of tickets at marked up prices with limited schedule options. Bahn.com is the easiest to use for scheduling info. but will not tickets outside of Germany. Use trenitalia.com and voyages-sncf.com for specific ticket prices
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
I agree with Frank. If you want maximum flexibility, you can easily buy your tickets as you arrive in the towns and ciities for the next parts of your journey. However, don't expect any discounts. Also, as a side note, please dont' buy a railpass thinking you will get the flexibility you want. It does provide convenience and flexibility but you will pay for it. Its more expensive and you still have to make many seat reservations when you need them. We are facing much the same decision from Barcelona to Avignon to Dijon to Paris for later this year. Do we want to lock in now with discounts and firm departure times or are we willing to pay more and be flexible.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
Check out www.seat61.com for answers to your questions and tips on getting the cheapest and best seats.
Posted by
Aptos, CA, USA
56 posts
We traveled on two of your legs in November. Paris to Avignon was difficult to get reservations even a week ahead of time on our "best" choise. Had to wait for a train later in the afternoon. Florence to Rome was OK, but I bought the ticket two days before the travel time (when I got into Florence from Vienice. Have no idea what it like in June or July - but suspect its busy. JimP
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Flexibility comes at a price. Amsterdam-Paris: The standard 2nd class fare on Thalys trains is €130. The cheapest advance purchase Smoove fare is €35. Book at thalys.com. Paris-Avignon: Depending upon the departure time, the standard 2nd class fare is €91-110. The cheapest advance purchase Prem's fare is €33. Book at tgv-europe.com. To avoid being bumped to the Rail Europe site which doesn't offer discount fares, say your country of residence is Great Britain. Nice-Florence: You will make a minimum of two connections and one or more will be on trains requiring reservations. You can save a little bit by booking those legs in advance, but buying tickets in Nice won't cost too much more. Florence-Rome: The standard 2nd class fare is €45. Booked in advance, you can get a Mini fare of €36. Book at trenitalia.com.