If you're planning a journey on a TGV, OUIGO or Intercités train, cheaper tickets are often released up to three months in advance (except when the SNCF seat release is running). They are quick to sell out though, so snap them up when you can!
Do you need to book train tickets in advance in France?
Many French trains need to be reserved in advance, and seats can be limited at times. Make your train trips in France comfortable and reserve your seats before the journey even begins!
Do trains sell out in Europe?
Advance tickets can be an especially smart buy for popular high-speed trains (such as France's TGV trains and Italy's Le Frecce trains), which frequently sell out.
Can I get on a train without a seat reservation?
Seat reservations aren't guaranteed though and some Train Operating Companies (TOCs) don't offer seat reservations at all. Even without a seat reservation your tickets are still valid, and you can sit in any vacant unreserved seat. Sit in any vacant unreserved seat except First Class.
How far ahead can you book French trains?
Booking horizon by train
| Rail operator and/or train | Route | Booking horizon |
|---|---|---|
| TER (regional) | Trains in France | 3 months |
| TGV (high-speed) | Trains in France | 3 months with some seasonal variation |
| TGV France-Italy | To/from Paris-Milan/Turin | 6 months |
| TGV Lyria (France – Switzerland) | To/from Paris-Geneva/Zurich | 6 months |
How far in advance can SNCF tickets be booked?
Tickets go on sale 2 to 9 months in advance, so all those who love to plan ahead can save more money.
Why are trains in France so expensive?
France increases cost of train faresThe rail network announced a decision to raise prices last November because of the increase in energy costs. Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, said the company was “facing additional costs of 13 per cent in 2023.”
How early should you arrive for a train in France?
You should arrive at the train station from 30 – 60 minutes before the departure time of your train. In Gare Bordeaux-Saint-Jean, arriving 30 minutes prior to your train's departure is plenty.
How far in advance should you book trains in Europe?
We advise you to start making reservations at least 2 months in advance. Many high-speed and night trains can already be reserved from 3 months in advance, and will get fully booked in that period.
Do trains sell out in France?
What happens if you don’t reserve a seat in Eurail?
Can I avoid seat reservations? We're all about flexibility – most trains covered by your Eurail Pass don't require seat reservations, so if you're willing to take a slower route you can often avoid the extra cost. National trains will take you to all corners of Europe, and you can just hop on and off as you please.
Do Eurostar trains sell out?
You can start making your reservations up to 6 months in advance. Being a popular high-speed train, it sells out fast, and taking into account that Eurostar has limited Pass holder seats that sell out quickly, it is highly recommended to book reservations for this train as far in advance as possible.
Should I buy my train tickets in advance?
The earlier you book your tickets, the more likely you are to get the lowest fare available for the dates you want on the routes along your journey. You may book your travel up to 11 months in advance.
Is it cheaper to book SNCF in advance?
Tickets available on SNCF Connect tend to be cheaper when you book them in advance, up to 2 to 9 months before your train journey. Don't hesitate to subscribe to the SNCF Connect newsletter and be the first to see offers and special deals or to activate the notifications in our app.
What is the cheapest way to travel around France?
As a rule, buses are cheaper and slower than trains. Larger towns usually have a gare routière (bus station), often next to the gare SNCF.
How far in advance can you book SNCF tickets?
Tickets go on sale 2 to 9 months in advance, so all those who love to plan ahead can save more money.
How far in advance should I book a French train ticket?
Tickets open up for sale around 90 days before your travel date. In general, the longer your travel distance, the earlier you should book. But don't try to to book too far in advance, 90 days is the sweet spot.
Is it cheaper to pre book train tickets or buy on the day?
Is it cheaper to buy a train ticket in advance? Yes. Advance train tickets are usually the cheapest way to travel by train, and generally go on sale 12 weeks before your date of travel. You'll need to travel on the train you're booked on, but you'll get a cheaper price by foregoing flexible travel times.
How do I avoid Eurail seat reservations?
To find trains that don't require reservations you can use our Rail Planner app on a mobile device. Make sure to tick the 'No reservation needed' box when searching for trains. In some cases, reservations can't be avoided simply because no other options are available.
What to do if Eurostar sold out?
Once these seats are taken away, the possible options would be:
- Buy a full-fare ticket directly from the railway carrier (Eurostar). …
- If your schedule allows you to be flexible, search for the same route at another date or time in our timetable.