What happens if I make a reservations and then do not use it. I realize I would lose the reservation fee but would I also somehow lose a day on my pass. Theoretically, of course, but aside from ethical issues, could I reserve two consequetive trains for the day I arrive on a long haul flight and then if I miss the first (tight connection) then I would be assured of getting a seat on the later train at just the cost of my reservation on the first train? Thanks for your thoughts. I have travelled by train in France but never used a pass in Europe.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, Washington, US
14 posts
Thanks everyone for the replies. The situation is arriving at CDG from the US at 12:10 and getting a 1:58 TGV or having to wait until 5PM. All in all do not want to have an unused seat...it will be on a Friday afternoon so will just do the later train and suck it up for 5 hours in CDG plus a 3.5 train ride after the long day from the US west coast with a flight connection.
Thanks again. I will feel so morally good (briefly) for not depriving someone of a seat.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
You don't lose a day of your pass unless you are actually on a train. When the conductor comes to check your ticket, s/he will write in that date on your pass. You can make as many reservations as you want, but because of the ethical issue and the cost, I would just forget the tight connection and reserve for the later train. I'm sure in France you can find a nice cafe to enjoy if you have some spare time.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
If you are coming from the US, your pass will not yet be validated. You can't just get on the train. You will have to go first to a ticket counter where they will verify your identification and stamp your pass. Then fill in the date on the pass. Once the date is entered, then you have used the day of your pass. A reservation has no bearing on your use of a day.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
A few points of clarification: Your pass must be validated before you can use it, as noted above. You will be fined if you get on a train without a validated pass. For passes with X number dates of travel in a timeframe, YOU must enter each date of travel PRIOR to departure. The conductor does not do it for you, unless you forgot and then you'll be fined. Once validated, the overall timeclock for a pass begins. But validation does not count as a date of travel. If you make a reservation and are not on the train, you lose your reservation costs. It does not count as a day of travel unless you fill in the date. Often trains are not full, but in cases where they are, an unused reservation means someone else doesn't get to travel when they need to.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Eric - there is no way you could make the 14:00 TGV. It's not even worth trying.