http://blog.raileurope.com/5027-whats-fast-new-and-green Travel Tips & Inspiration from Rail Europe Wed, 22 May 2013 20:54:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://blog.raileurope.com/5027-whats-fast-new-and-green#comment-3915 Waynes-whirled Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:43:00 +0000 http://blog.raileurope.com/?p=5027#comment-3915 Does anyone know anything about a new high speed train from Paris to Barcelona?

]]> http://blog.raileurope.com/5027-whats-fast-new-and-green#comment-3914 Anonymous Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:21:00 +0000 http://blog.raileurope.com/?p=5027#comment-3914 Hi,
Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s true that only a limited number of seats are set aside for travelers with a rail pass on TGV trains, and in peak travel periods, it can be challenging to find a reservation, especially when booking close to the travel date. However, I should point out that SNCF has launched a special category of reservations called the “easy access” passholder fare. Those reservations are not subjected to a limited availability and can be obtained at any time before the train departure, as long as the train itself is not sold out. Those are the reservations which are priced $18.95 on our website, and they are valid only for travel with a France Rail Pass.
It does take a bit of planning to get the most value out of a rail pass, and we encourage to book your reservations as early as possible in order to be able to enjoy the best fares for your itinerary.

]]> http://blog.raileurope.com/5027-whats-fast-new-and-green#comment-3903 Lothaire Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:11:47 +0000 http://blog.raileurope.com/?p=5027#comment-3903 Hi,
Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s true that only a limited number of seats are set aside for travelers with a rail pass on TGV trains, and in peak travel periods, it can be challenging to find a reservation, especially when booking close to the travel date. However, I should point out that SNCF has launched a special category of reservations called the “easy access” passholder fare. Those reservations are not subjected to a limited availability and can be obtained at any time before the train departure, as long as the train itself is not sold out. Those are the reservations which are priced $18.95 on our website, and they are valid only for travel with a France Rail Pass.
It does take a bit of planning to get the most value out of a rail pass, and we encourage to book your reservations as early as possible in order to be able to enjoy the best fares for your itinerary.

]]> http://blog.raileurope.com/5027-whats-fast-new-and-green#comment-3900 Jetway Travel Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:38:00 +0000 http://blog.raileurope.com/?p=5027#comment-3900 Be careful, SNCF (the French National Rail Company) is rationing TGV reservations for railpass holders, making it pretty much impossible to travel around France with any spontaneity using a railpass. I just returned from France and my trip was nearly wrecked because I assumed that I could get a TGV reservation with a day or two’s notice. In past trips I had no such trouble but those days appear to be over. With the TGV now having replaced nearly all medium and long distance trains, especially to and from Paris, it may no longer be sensible to use a railpass in France unless you are able to plan all of your segments well in advance. The fact that RailEurope charges a total of $18.95 for a reservation that will cost you 3 Euros in France does not help, either.

]]> http://blog.raileurope.com/5027-whats-fast-new-and-green#comment-3888 Robert Kime Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:59:00 +0000 http://blog.raileurope.com/?p=5027#comment-3888 The US need high speed rails we are falling behind.

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