Paris Travel Forum

I have been comparing prices on train travel in France.
I checked 2 websites:
sncf.com and
raileurope.com

It seems that sncf.com is a lot cheaper than raileurope.com.
Has anyone else noticed that there is a significant difference in the price? Raileurope gives me the price in American Dollars and I have converted it at $1.57 for one Euro.
It does not seem right that the difference is so big.
Any thoughts on this?
Jeannette

SNCF is the French national rail company and train operator. Rail Europe is not a train operator but an agency, it only sells the most expensive tickets on the most expensive trains. You will always get the best deal buying directly from the train operator for the country concerned, however some people prefer the convenience of buying everything in advance and in dollars, it's up to them.

Thanks, Gaminari
I will book on sncf.com. However, their website is not very user friendly. Raileurope is easier to navigate but it's certainly not worth the difference in price.
Jeannette

In case this is an issue, please note that you aren't necessarily "booking" when you buy a ticket in advance, just buying! If it's a train that requires seat reservations (e.g. TGV), then yes, purchasing a ticket automatically includes booking for a specific train. But many trains are not in fact bookable, you merely buy a ticket for a specific journey, and it only becomes a ticket for a specific date/train when you stamp it in the machine on the platform (in France this is called "composter").
If the train you want is one for which there is no reservation requirement, there is generally also no advantage in buying in advance anyway, other than doing it through a website rather than in person e.g. at one of the many SNCF boutiques in Paris. And of course, perhaps using today's exchange rate rather than that of whenever you would be travelling - although that could go either way.

As pointed out, purchasing in advance (up to 90 days) is very important for TGV travel. Additionally, look for PREM fares, these are the lowest fares available. For example, I have seen PREMs from Paris to Avignon for as little as 25 euros.

I use the following website:

http://www.voyages-sncf.com

Here, you can purchase your tickets, reserve your seats, and print your tickets from the convenience of your own home, anywhere in the world.

You'll save even more money by making the transaction in euros rather than US dollars. This is because the exchange rates charged by the agent are the true market rates of exchange. Visa or MC will charge your credit card only 1% of the transaction value at the true and accurate bank rate of exchange. It is very important to note what fees your bank may add to these costs. Some banks add onerous fees to foreign transactions.

If you are contemplating a lot of train travel in Europe consider a Eurail pass which is much cheaper if purchased by an agent before you leave home. This applies to people who live in the United States. I don't know about other countries.

sarastro

http://www.voyages-sncf.com
Yes, this is the site I was looking at. Much cheaper than raileurope.com.
I did not realize we could print our own tickets for TGV tickets. I thought we had to have them mailed to a French address.

I am looking at a Paris/London trip.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Jeannette

Can you go by TGV from Paris to London? I thought it was only EuroStar.

Now I see that there is www.eurostar.com specifically for Paris-London.
I'll check to see if the fares are also different.
Jeannette