Prems tickets

[coupwotcoup]

Does anyone have a decent link to a good site for buying Prems tickets in France?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Ze Random One]

I always use www.voyages-sncf.com, but you kinda need to read french to use it.
There is a link to an english language version of the site (at the bottom - click on the union flag) but I think that it takes you to a subsidiary of raileurope.co.uk

If you can cope with the french version, Prems tickets can be printed at home, so no need to worry about whether you'll be able to collect your tickets.

Others may have better suggestions.

 

[Picasso]

As far as I know, SNCF has still the monopoly of selling tickets in France (there is a project of a private web site, but still not in operation).

So, the link is http://www.voyages-sncf.com/

 

[Wiggaz]

As far as I know, SNCF has still the monopoly of selling tickets in France (there is a project of a private web site, but still not in operation).

So, the link is http://www.voyages-sncf.com/[/url ... and it's cheaper than Raileurope. [i][/i]

 

[valedave]

I travelled to and from Le Mans last week and used www.tgv-europe.de. This website is obviously in German, but it looks like you can change to English if you click "Other countries".

http://www.tgv-europe.com/en/?rfrr=accueil_header_Other countries

I'm sure the French language website is navigable enough, even with very basic French skills. It's pretty self explanatory.

They posted the tickets to my home address free of charge too, and they arrived in one(!) day.

 

[stut]

There's also http://www.trocdestrains.com/ and http://www.kelbillet.com/ for resold Prem's tickets (again, you'll need some level of French).

Don't forget the bargain iDTGV concept if that's on a route you're interested in.

 

[Gordon]

I always use the Voyages-sncf website and nowadays the print at home tickets are ideal for visitors to France. It has its detractors (and its shortcomings) but it is really the only place for the cheapest tickets (prems, IdTGV etc). Once you've used it once or twice you will get to know what all the language means - as has been said - it is pretty self explanatory.
As with all ticket purchase, always strike as early as you can to get the very cheapest.

Having said all the above, I just did a ghost ticket ‘purchase’ on tgv-europe.com

http://www.tgv-europe.com/en/

You can tell from its layout that it is the same as the French site but with English language, rather than being Rail Europe’s UK orientated version (which in my experience gives worse deals, which is why I never use the English links diverting me to Rail Europe

Avoid the temptation to be diverted to Rail Europe (a pop up box gives you the choice)





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[W-on-Sea]

I used http://www.tgv-europe.com/en/ last year to buy tickets for a trip around the south-east of France, including at least one "Prem's" (1st class) ticket, all delivered quickly to the UK. Fairly sure I looked at the Voyages-SNCF site as well - can't remember exactly why I preferred to use the one I did.

Have to agree with all the suggestions to avoid Rail Europe - it's ok for through journeys from London to various major French destinations, but has nowhere near the ticket range for journeys entirely within France.

 

[scotsman]

Use Google Chrome and it will offer to translate the website for you!