Sleeper booking with Fip on SNCF

[Zontar]

I've tried to start sorting next year's itinerary for a rail holiday but seems to have hit a block early doors.

I contacted ffestinio travel about a trip and they advise that you can only get fip discount via SNCF direct, in person or on the phone. Has anyone got any guidance on how to do this successfully before I get my phrase book out.

Also, as a general question, how do people go about booking accommodation and sleepers in tandem? We can obviously book our accommodation very early, but the sleeper only 90 days in advance.... cautious about losing heavy deposits if we can't get travel.

 

[rvdborgt]

SNCF don't have sleepers, only couchettes. 6-person compartments in 2nd class and 4-person compartments in 1st. Price is €20, or €25 in high season, if the prices are the same as for Interrail.
There's no fixed booking horizon. This page shows when bookings open:

L'ouverture des ventes | SNCF Connect - Questions fréquentes

SNCF Connect : L'ouverture des ventes - Aide et Informations

www.sncf-connect.com

Some dates may open later because of engineering works planning.
The best is probably to book by phone:

https://www.sncf-voyageurs.com/en/contact-us/our-contact-points/by-phone/

Press #85 for English.

 

[Zontar]

This sounds promising, are the couchettes suitable for families? Are they private?

 

[rvdborgt]

Couchettes are suitable for families IMO.
People are placed in the same compartment if possible. With Interrail, private compartments can't be booked. You can however book extra berths to fill up the compartment. You'll have to invent names and dates of birth though.

 

[AdamWW]

Also, as a general question, how do people go about booking accommodation and sleepers in tandem? We can obviously book our accommodation very early, but the sleeper only 90 days in advance.... cautious about losing heavy deposits if we can't get travel.

I handle it by booking fully refundable accommodation.

And for all its faults, I've never had trouble cancelling anything that I've booked via Booking.com so long as I stuck to the rules - no hidden catches.