34
votes
Accepted
Corridor seats on the TGV — why? Are seat reservations not always mandatory?
The TGV has mandatory seat reservations
That is incorrect, e.g. see https://en.oui.sncf/en/france-europe/on-board-seating-positions (mirror):
When all seats are booked, you will be offered an "...
16
votes
TGV timetables / schedules?
CDG-Zürich is not an easy one by train, honestly.
Trains from Paris (center) to Zürich use the LGV Sud-Est, go through Dijon, then on to the LGV Rhin-Rhone, Mulhouse and Basel (red on the map). They ...
16
votes
Accepted
Seat reservation requirements for TGV trips entirely within Germany
I got confirmation from DB: No seat reservation required.
14
votes
Corridor seats on the TGV — why? Are seat reservations not always mandatory?
When I missed my connection I went to the ticket window, I was accepted on the next train even though, in theory, there were no seats available. I had to report to the train manager. He asked me to ...
13
votes
Accepted
What happens if I miss my French night train (intercités de nuit) if my connecting Eurostar is delayed or cancelled?
Our good friends at the European Commission tell us, on the Rail Passengers Rights website, that if you miss your connection:
If you have a through-ticket for a train journey that involves one or ...
11
votes
Accepted
Does "carriage" mean that I am on my own on this SNCF itinerary?
This actually means "travel on your own". The trip between Angers Saint-Laud and Thouars in your itinerary is neither included in your ticket nor operated by SNCF.
Have a look at the output from the ...
10
votes
Frustrated TGV Lyria experience
Sorry, I understand your frustration but I don't see what the train company has done wrong.
You were late. If you are not at the boarding gate at the gate closing time or on the platform at departure ...
10
votes
Accepted
How long before departure do I need to get to Lille Europe for a Eurostar to Brussels?
Here is what actually happened!
I got to Lille Europe early enough to honour the one hour requirement and checked with a member of the Eurostar staff who said I didn't need to take this into account; ...
9
votes
Accepted
How can a private person put a SNCF train ticket on hold to combine it with its return journey later?
Disclaimer: I'm not sure if I correctly understood the question but here it goes: you can put a SNCF train ticket on hold, and buy the return journey later under certain conditions. But I'm not sure ...
9
votes
Accepted
How reliable is the Intercités de nuit – Rodalies de Catalunya connection at Latour de Carol?
To answer the second question - the Rodalies train won't wait for a delayed sleeper as that line operates as part of the Barcelona suburban network as it gets closer in to Barcelona where timetabling ...
8
votes
Accepted
TGV timetables / schedules?
You can use the DB site, to get an overview which trains are departing at a given station in a given time frame: https://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/bhftafel.exe/en
If you click then on a train number, ...
8
votes
Accepted
Wrong surname on TGV Lyria ticket / Loopholes
Quite the same happened to me, but I was travelling with my wife (who does not share my family name but kept her maiden name). Her ticket however had my name printed. In summary: it worked out. But it ...
8
votes
Corridor seats on the TGV — why? Are seat reservations not always mandatory?
Note that the rules have recently changed, are still in flux, and of course things may be very different in case of disruption.
Until recently:
On TGV seat reservation were mandatory
There would be ...
8
votes
How can I reserve a TGV seat on a Germany-Switzerland ticket purchased via Deutsche Bahn?
sncf-connect.com does not sell seats only apparently...
This sounds about right. In France no* service allows for that; it's either compulsory reserved seating (TGV, Intercités à réservation ...
7
votes
Frustrated TGV Lyria experience
What went wrong here is you bought "the cheap seats" and did not read or understand the terms and conditions, aka the "fine print", or think all that much about what makes them the ...
7
votes
Will my Navigo Pass be replenishable next year?
A Navigo pass (the phyiscal card) is valid for 10 years. This applies to all the types: Navigo Easy (transferable, can be loaded with single-trip tickets and day passes), Navigo Découverte (personal, ...
7
votes
Accepted
How to collect an SNCF ticket abroad?
There is no way for you to collect this ticket. SNCF is not able to produce electronic tickets for domestic Dutch trains. The same problem also often turns up when buying tickets for other countries ...
7
votes
Accepted
How can I reserve a TGV seat on a Germany-Switzerland ticket purchased via Deutsche Bahn?
If you board on a TGV for the Swiss-domestic ride from Basel to Zurich you do not need to reserve a seat and the price is the same as any other Swiss train.
Source: just asked at the swiss rail SBB ...
6
votes
Frustrated TGV Lyria experience
When it comes to train travel France is different from Switzerland. In Switzerland it is perfectly Ok to be on the platform 1 second before the doors close. The conductor will even hold the train a ...
6
votes
Accepted
French train ticket (SNCF) cancelled at the last minute
I can still book ticket on the 8h14 train from SPC, but not in the first class.
Anyway, I don't see other solution if you need to be at Paris by 9h30, but you should be able to board the train and ...
6
votes
Corridor seats on the TGV — why? Are seat reservations not always mandatory?
These seats are also very useful when you simply want to spend some time in the corridor for whatever reason, e.g. to make a phone call, to calm a crying baby, or because you're preparing to get off ...
6
votes
France Train Stations 360° Images
It's gone ! Official answer on the SNCF Q&A website :
Indeed, there are no more 360° stations
It seems that what is suggested is to use https://www.gares-sncf.com/fr, where you can find (at ...
6
votes
Accepted
Reserving a domestic TGV train in Germany
I have posed your question to the service team of Deutsche Bahn on Twitter, and the answer is yes.
Q: Kann man von DB-Bahnhöfen aus TGV-Tickets kaufen? [...]
A: Ja, das geht. Am besten geht er in ein ...
6
votes
Do I need to label my luggage on the French TGV?
The question popped-up again 7 years later. The rule is still the same, train guards consistently remind you through the train's PA system that a luggage tag is mandatory and that you can ask them if ...
5
votes
France railway strike affecting my Barcelona to Paris journey. Alternatives?
Vueling is just fine. All EU-based airlines are generally safe and Vueling appears to be among the most punctual.
It's a low-cost airline so you can expect a bare-bones service compared to long-haul ...
5
votes
Accepted
Bikes on TGV/THALYS
The Thalys rules on bicycle transport are very clear:
The rules mention both the thickness of the cover - 135 x 85 x 30 cm - and also specifically state that wheels should be removed and everything ...
5
votes
Accepted
TGV ticket price appreciation as departure date approaches
Generally speaking, TGV fares work more-or-less like airfares. Historically, the SNCF based their first booking system for what they call “prix de marché” (that's Socrate in 1993, before that fares ...
5
votes
Accepted
Are Interrail passes accepted on the Little Yellow Train (Villefranche de Conflent to Latour de Carol)?
The answer appears to be yes, Interrail passes are valid on this train, but I haven't yet found any truly explicit confirmation that this also applies in summer. The rail.cc website says:
Interrail ...
5
votes
Accepted
Bus services between SNCF gare d'Andorre-L'Hospitalet and Pas de la Casa
The line is currently out of service, but in winter there is a shuttle service operated separately for ski-pass holders (tickets included).
https://visitandorra.com/en/visitor-information/how-do-i-...
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