The British railways remain the subject of cynical moaning, a deflating energy-sapping experience for many commuters throughout the country.
I don't think the British railways are as bad as the negative press would have you believe. I use the train maybe once per month, and never have a problem. I can get from Birmingham to London in a good time, and there are plenty of internet offers which allow me to get an advance ticket cheaply.
So, Network Rail and the British train companies are pretty good.
In fact, the French boast the best railway in Europe, and much of the network is covered by TGV (Trains Grande Vitesse) high speed trains, capable of eating 200 miles in an hour.
Yep, these are comfortable, quiet and safe trains that travel at incredible speed. Expensive to use they may be, but they do compete very well with travelling by air.
I needed to travel from Paris to Poitiers (in the western central area), so I had a look a the SNCF website.
The site is very well laid out, with a choice of European languages, marked with flags on the home page.
Booking is straightforward, and the site will display all the options available, and allow for personal preferences. Don't worry if you are unsure about your Paris departure... Instead of typing "Gare de Nord", "Austerlitz" or "Montparnasse", just enter "Paris", and it will work it out for you!
After the initial search, you will need to select an outward train.
They are all listed, and you can rank them by departure time, cost, duration etc. TGV trains are marked clearly, as are other 'slower' services. Icons showing a wine glass are always welcome in my book, so I was pleased to see a speedy TGV train with bar leaving at lunch time on my desired day!
The outward was about EUR75, but this was somewhat of a last minute situation. You can view cheaper fares, and they all clearly state the terms and conditions of the specific fare.
So, having selected my train, I could then opt for my preferences, and was pleasantly pleased to find I could opt for a smoking seat!
Yep, in Britain my Marlboro habit is the scourge of society, and I am fast getting banned from lighting up wherever I go. But those good ol' European sorts still make us smokers welcome on their trains!
Having committed to my outward train, I then repeated the proceedure to select a return to Paris a few days later.
From there on, its the usual questions about your address, credit card number and how you want to collect your tickets. I chose to collect my ticket on departure from an ATM in Paris Montparnasse station. If you go for this option, don't forget to bring the same credit card with you on the day, then a simple swipe, tap in a unique code (You will have received this by email) and the ATM spits out your tickets.
Final tip; Allow yourself good time to board. The doors are sealed, and platform barriers go down with military precision!
On board, you will find its a very comfortable ride. Please do your bit for Anglo-French relations by observing the mobile phone signs. I am sure most people who read this are pretty considerate to others anyway!
As for the buffet car, well its a similar story to the ones that I feel compelled to on Virgin trains. Sandwiches are nothing special and overpriced, and the microwavable burger in a cardboard box is only satisfying after 6 bottles of Heineken. Unlike British trains though, the smooth ride means you can walk back to your seat without bouncing left and right off other passengers, stumbling with the train movements as you try to keep the coffee upright!
So, the scenery whizzes past and you can not pick out the gantries such is the speed at which you are travelling. The seat reclines a bit, and the windows have curtains in case you need to sleep, but don't get into too deep a sleep..... You'll soon be there!
Snail paced this is not..... besides, snails are on tonight's menu!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
im french and im not agree with you... french trains are always in late, almost during holidays and weekend... its a pity and the price is more and more expensive... But you are right when u say that TGV are really comfortable (but its horrible to travel in 'normal" trains...)
Now, it exists low-cost travel in TGV like Paris-Marseille for 20€ :-DD
chris_ah1 19.11.2004 18:46
well said. the SNCF really puts us to shame - so does the German service.
snails are lovely to eat.
Problem is those in charge in the UK are unwilling to put possibly the trillions necessary into the railway to keep it going into the next century.
thespurs 19.11.2004 17:42
nice review. the SNCF is top notch from what i hear
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Record Rent a Car is present in the main spanish airports and has a very wide fleet. We offer: exceptional discounts, free additional drivers,
unlimited mileage... subscribe to our Club Record and take advantage of special offers.
Advantages: You can buy a car or use the busing system instead at least Disadvantages: Cost, Smells, Locations, Strikes, Foul People, Unreliable, everything that could go wrong w/ a tra
Nov 19th, 2004
very helpful by (91%):
helpful by (9%):
