Hi -
I want to buy a point to point ticket direct from the TGV site because it's $75 less than buying via raileurope.com BUT I have to pick up the ticket from an AUTOMATED machine at the rail station and being from the US I don't have a chip n pin can so the machine will not recognize my card. Has anyone else tried this? Can you just pick up at the window? Will it work at any TGV station in France?
You can pick up your tickets at any station in France. Just bring along your confirmation email, in case there is a language barrier (it will be in French).
Thanks so much for the prompt reply!! Every penny counts these days,
Along with the confirmation number, you will need to present the same credit card you used when booking the ticket.
If your card worked to make the reservation won't it also work to pick up the ticket?
Jeff,
The ticket machines in French train stations only accept credit cards with embedded chips. Ana will need to go to a ticket window and present her card to a clerk who can swipe it "the old fashioned way."
SNCF allows you to print most tickets on line. In the French version, look for the "imprimer" link. Use France as the country where you will pick up the tickets. Otherwise, you will be routed to Raileurope, the home of the bandit barrons. By using the French version, you will of course have to understand a bit of the language but you can guess at most of it.
You can get the same prices on an English language website if you check Great Britain as your home country.
Thanks everyone for your response. Just want to update 2 things.
SNCF does allow you to print out your tix, but for this leg it is not an option. I have however, used this for another leg of my trip (Paris to Nice).
I was forced to go thru raileurope after all this posting because apparently there is an online buying cut off if you are buying tickect thru TGV-europe.com and your destination is in a different country (Nice to Barcelona). So make a note if anyone is planning to do this. Buy in advance!
