We want to go from Paris to Arles around the end of July (peak French travel time) using a Rail Pass. How does one best make a reservation ahead of time? (I almost know enough French to work through the SNCF web site IF they allow me to make just the reservation without having to buy the ticket too...)
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You cannot buy reservations alone on the SNCF site. You can buy them at raileurope.com up to 90 days in advance. Since SNCF limits the number of passholder reservations on TGVs, buy them as soon as the booking window opens. If you wait too long, you may find that the allotted number of passholder reservations for the TGV of your choice will be gone and you'll be forced to try to find a TGV with a different departure time that will work for you. To get to Arles you'll probably make a connection to a regional (TER) train in Avignon. There is open seating on regional trains and no reservations are possible.
Posted by
OP
Parkdale, Or
7 posts
Merci Tim, I think you just saved me hours navigating the SNCF site to no avail. I've marked the 90 day window on the calendar and will act fast when the time comes!