Conclusion: The Easiest Way to Book French Train TicketsWe think Trainline is the best bet for almost all cases, because it gives you the same prices as you'll find from the official train operator SNCF but without the extra hassle.
People Also Ask
The French rail network is superb, and traveling by train is often just as quick as driving, generally very reliable and quite reasonably priced. Better still, you don't have to worry about parking, traffic, motorway tolls, or any unexpected breakdowns. Unfortunately, public transport in more rural areas can be patchy.
Yes, Trainline is legitimate. Their app and website connect directly to rail and coach carriers' ticketing platforms so every ticket you buy through Trainline is valid for travel.
It almost comes down to personal preference - or sometimes one handling a particular multi-operator route better than the other. Both sites are good, both allow you to book multiple train operators' tickets across much of western Europe, in plain English, in multiple currencies, with no card payment problems.
For long-distance trains including all TGV, Intercités & Intercités de Nuit overnight trains, reservation is compulsory, but there are usually seats available even on the day of travel and you can buy a ticket immediately before the train departs. But there are much cheaper fares if you pre-book.
For long-distance trains including all TGV, Intercités & Intercités de Nuit overnight trains, reservation is compulsory, but there are usually seats available even on the day of travel and you can buy a ticket immediately before the train departs. But there are much cheaper fares if you pre-book.
Take the (slow) train – Train travel in Europe is cheap and it's the easiest way to get around France. The TGV line can be expensive, but if you get the slow train or have a Eurail pass, you'll save money. Drink wine – In France, the wine is cheaper than water (well, almost!).
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.
Is Trainline more expensive than National Rail? The trainline is a reseller/agent so although the fares are usually the same, you may other charges such as booking fees/credit card fees and delivery fees and may miss any special promotional fares. There is no point in booking through them.
Overall, First Class tickets can definitely be worth the cost. Most carriers these days offer very minimal price differences between the two travel classes. At Trainline, we'll automatically show you if there are low-priced First Class tickets available, so you can be sure that you won't miss out on any bargains.
In most cases, the best way to purchase European train tickets is through a third-party booking website like Omio or Trainline. These services are much more user-friendly than booking directly through each country's national rail service.
UK railways have the joint 6th worst standard of service in Europe, according to insights found in a new report. While the researchers ultimately ranked Britain as the 8th best performing rail system across the continent, quality of service only accounted for a third of their overall scoring.