Sncf tgv tickets

Yes, changable. The train people have less interest in who is traveling -- no data base checking. All they want is age to make sure the proper ticket has been purchased.

You need to click on each of the options and read the details for each of the prices. There are timeframes during which the ticket is refundable.

I’m not sure how first class tickets would limit walking.

We are looking at first class tickets to minimize walking.

Hi Dianejay -

can you clarify what you meant by first class having less walking than second class? I don't understand, but if you have mobility issues I'd love to help....

1st class will have the same amount of walking as 2nd. but 1st is nicer, and when booked in advance often not that more expensive.

When you buy a ticket for two persons it is common that only one name is on the ticket, with the mention "2 adults", and the two seats you have reserved. This is normal. The name is only used to protect against ticket fraud. Railways are not the least bit interested in who is traveling, and trains do not have passenger lists.

Be aware that currently you can only book trains till mid May. If your travel is after that you have to wait till after March 9th.

And if the SNCF website is confusing to you (it is confusing to everyone) you can use trainline.eu in stead.

I'm sure the OP will reply to explain the walking issue personally, but I have also noticed something similar. At Paris Nord, for example, it always seemed that the first class coaches were positioned first in line from the entrance to the track, while the more numerous second class ones were strung out a LONG way down the train. And ours always seemed to be one of the last ones. I have also considered going first class on future trips for this reason.

Yes and no, Linda. If the train is leaving the station from a terminal, the engine and first class cars will be positioned at the end of the platform ready to head out of the station. Sometimes there will be some 1st class cars at the end of the train, too. It can depend on a lot of things.

Thanks for the clarification, Bets. Just my bad luck then! 😁

Thanks everyone. Yes,it is to minimize the walking from the station to the train car. When we traveled from Milan to Naples, our 2nd class car was far down the platform. Even though we were there early before the platform was announced, it was a rush . I will take a look at the second site mentioned .

There is no guarantee that if you book 1st class that the train car will be closer to where you enter the platform. It depends on the station and the train. Trains cars can be in any order.
Imagine a train that runs Milano - Naples. Suppose that in Milano the 1st is at the front. As a result in Rome it will be at the back, then in Naples again at the front.
Now suppose this train then runs back to Milan, but this time skips Rome Termini. Result: Now the 1st is at the back... In Europe railways generally do not care very much about in what order and direction trains run. Looking at the departure board for Milan for example I see that half of the trains have 1st (Business) at the back, and half have it at the front...

Now for Avignon to Geneva it is a bit different. Avignon TGV is a through station, not a terminal station. So you will enter the platform in the middle. If you take a taxi to the station it should set you down at the correct side however, so that you only have one escaltor up to your train. There will be a display showing where your car will be, so you can position yourself.

In Lyon you will need to take an underpass to get to your next train, and again, that is usually in the middle. So no way to know in advance how far you will be from it.

Similar in Geneva where you exit the platform through an underpass from the middle of the platform. Note that in Geneva the platform that the French train arrives on has no escalators, but there is an elevator.