Moan of the week! Why don’t the French rail network release train tickets earlier!

Ok, so I thought I’d start a new topic of posts during the ski season – Moan of the Week. I’ll kick it off but if you’ve got a moan you’d like to be featured then just message us on Twitter – www.twitter.com/skiconcierge.

So first off, it’s the French rail network. Ok so most of you probably know now that getting to many French ski resorts is really easy by train. If you get the Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris, and then change to a day or overnight train to the Alps from Gare du Lyon or Gare d’Austerlitz. It’s really easy to do, and can take about the same time as a flight if you live down south.

But……….. why on earth can the French rail network get it’s act in gear and release the tickets further in advance? Currently you can only book 3 months in advance, meaning you have to purchase your Eurostar tickets earlier (released 4 months in advance) to ensure you get the best price, which leaves you open to issues with the French train prices.

As far as I know, the French trains to the Alps have been running on practically exactly the same timetables for years now, so it’s not like they don’t know when they’re going to go, so why not get a grip and release them at the same time as the Eurostar, 4 months in advance! They’re supposed to be encouraging travel through Europe now from the UK by train, but if they can’t get such a simple thing as timetable release dates correct then I do wonder!!

Right, moan over. Seriously it’s a great way to travel, just remember to go online exactly 3 months before your trip and book your French trains on the Rail Europe website.