Will be in Paris August 24-27 and will take the TGV train from Paris to Chartres for the start of The Loire valley tour. Tried several times to make train reservations on the TGV inOUI train using the SNCF website without success. The FAQ part of the website is not much help. I am starting to get concerned that we will not get to Chartres on time. Anyone have a similar experience or have suggestions? Thanks very much.
Posted by
11569 posts
Try thetrainline.com which is very easy to use.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2000 posts
I asked a similar question a few weeks ago as I am on a September tour. I was told it was a regional train and I did not need to reserve. I plan on just going to Montparnesse station & buying a ticket from a machine.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks for your replies. Further reading on Travel Tips/transportation and I was able to purchase tickets on the train line website. Happy travels everyone!
Posted by
Paris
10188 posts
I am glad you found the information you needed and could purchase your tickets.
For anyone who might have the same question and finds this thread in the future, please note that the train that goes between Paris and Chartres is not a TGV (fast) train, so you won't find a "TGV inOUI" train when searching on the SNCF site or app or on Trainline.
It's just a regular regional TER train for which tickets are always available.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
For the record and for future reference, one does not need to purchase those tickets ahead of time since they cost the same bought at the machines at Montparnasse station in Paris.
But at least, now that you are all set you have nothing to work about!
Posted by
Wengen
2493 posts
The thing is not to overthink this. If you go to www.sncf-connect.com and just enter "Paris" and "Chartres" was origin and destination without any preconceptions as to route and type of trains you will just get the times and prices of the trains you need.
Its train travel, not rocket science....
Posted by
Chicago, IL 🌭🍕
531 posts
I took this train from Montparnasse to Chartres for the same tour last fall. As others stated above, no reservations were needed. Just buy the ticket at the train station, find your track, validate your ticket (IMPORTANT!), board, and find a seat. Not too long of a ride and a good time to relax.
The ticket kiosks were a bit tricky. When I tried to purchase my ticket, it was asking me for a phone number and would not take a US number. Had to enlist the help of a local shop employee and we used his phone number. I had a hard time finding train station employees to help. Also note that the validation machines are yellow (if memory serves).
If this is the train station you are departing from for your tour, note that it is huge, it almost looks like a giant indoor mall. If you need to use the bathroom, make sure you have some change on hand. I tried using a credit card and for some reason it didn't work.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Read in several different guide books that train reservations were needed and they book quickly. Not trying to complicate anything so didn't want to be sitting at the train station watching the trains go by. First time in France, and each country operates a little differently. Thanks to everyone for you comments. Seems my "issue" has been resolved.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14723 posts
"Read in several different guide books that train reservations were needed and they book quickly."
That's for the long distance TGV trains. As others mentioned upthread, the train from Paris to Chartres is more of a local train so does not sell out.
BUT you've just had your first lesson in French trains!
IF you need to get back to Paris from Nice at the end of your tour, that WOULD be a TGV train and you'd definitely want to book it ahead of time.