SNCF Tickets

[lj9090]

I'm looking at heading over to Paris over the Bank Holiday, getting a ferry to Le Havre, and SNCF from there. As I'm getting the ferry the train out needs to be flexible, and I'm a bit confused on the options. Looking to use these timings:
Sa 4th 09.14 Le Havre -> 11.40 Saint Lazare
Mo 6th 12.50 St Lazare -> 14.55 Le Havre

Last time I did this trip I just assumed the Loisir Weekend Tariff was walk on, decided to buy it on the day for the flexibility, and got a bit of a shock when I needed another €20 for the full fare.
Not doing that again, so I'm going to book them before I go. But I'm not sure if that ticket is flexible.. I have to select a train to purchase the ticket, but can I just hop on the next one if I'm a little late - stamping the ticket first ofcourse!

Is there any benefit to 1st class? Coming back I don't need any flexibility and a Prems 1st is only a few euros more.

 

[Oscar]

TGV trains have compulsory reservations so there is no such thing as an "open" ticket for TGVs. All tickets are valid only at the booked train and some can be amended, others not. Some Intercités trains have compulsory reservations (the ticket is then not flexible) and others do not (Loisir and Tarif normal tickets only can then be used on different trains). TER tickets are flexible.
There are various ticket types, such as:

Prem's - book in advance, ticket cannot be amended or refunded, booked train only (TGV and Intercités only)
Loisir Réduit/Loisir Réduit Week-end - book in advance, amendments or refunds possible before departure, 10% of ticket price charged for amendments or refunds on day of travel, booked train only if reservations compulsory (ticket available on TGV and Intercités only).
Pro 2nde/Plein Tarif Loisir - TGV tickets which can be bought on the day of travel and which can be amended
Tarif Normal - full fare for Intercités and TER (valid on any TER or Intercités train without compulsory reservations; on Intercités trains with compulsory reservations only valid on the booked train can be amended before or up to 1 hour after departure, refundable before departure, 50% of ticket value refundable after departure; always available at ticket office just before departure unless all reservations taken on reservation compulsory services).

All of these ticket types have different terms and conditions. There are also discount cards, local discount cards, a discount of 25% on certain fares for 12-25s and over 60s ("Découverte"), First Class ticket types and different ticket ranges for different TGV routes running into other countries. There is a Carte Week-end at 75€ giving you and one other person travelling with you 25-50% off return journeys of over 200 km either on Saturdays or Sundays or spending a Friday or Saturday night away.

First Class on domestic French trains just gives you more space, there is no catering.

 

[lj9090]

Loisir Réduit/Loisir Réduit Week-end - book in advance, amendments or refunds possible before departure, 10% of ticket price charged for amendments or refunds on day of travel (TGV and Intercités only).

Hmm, if it's only 10% on day of departure I could choose the 10.03 and then if I get there on time just amend it to the 9.13. Last time round I got to the station at 8.50, and that was with a bit of a delay leaving the boat.

However, translation errors aside, this seems to confirm that aslong as the train isn't mandatory reservations, then it is valid for any train:
http://questions.sncf.com/questions...rendre-le-train-a-l-heure-reservee-sur-le-net

I think I'll just book the 10.03 as I should be able to make that. Worse case is I'm out 2€ or so if it need amending and it's not actually immediately valid for either. Or just hang around and enjoy Le Havre!

 

[Oscar]

The Le Havre to Paris trains are Intercités trains without compulsory reservations, so Loisir fares appear to be valid on any train. I retract the comment on flexibility.

 

[lj9090]

To follow this up, it wasn't valid on the earlier train. They didn't let me use it on the 09.13 so I had to hang around and get the 10.03.

 

[Oscar]

What was the exact reason given for not letting you use it on the earlier train?

 

[lj9090]

That 10h03 was written on the ticket, and the 09h13 train wasn't the 10h03.

My french isn't good enough to have found out anything more than that.

 

[Oscar]

That's a shame, it would be interesting to know more as from the information available online this ticket seems to be valid on any train.