Train trip South France

Hello people

I wonder if I could get some advice. Around mid January I will be travelling through the south of France. I start off in Nice and then intend to catch a train to Avignon (is this an easy route - i guess I change at Marseille) then on to Carcassone (again probably change at Narbonne) and then again to Perpignan. Would you suggest that I buy tickets up front or will I be able to turn up at the stations and buy a ticket on the day?

Thanks for any help given.

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If you know the times you want to travel, then I strongly recommend you reserve as early as possible, usually up to 90 days in advance of travel.

The reason:

1. Fares are cheaper (look for PREMs)

2. Reservations are required on most trains (TGV and Téoz) and seats may be limited.

Keep in mind that there are two train stations in Avignon, the old station in town and the TGV station connected to the old station by shuttle bus. The shuttle costs several euros if you are not ticketed to ride it into town.

http://www.voyages-sncf.com

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I would not bother to make a reservation or to buy a ticket in advance for the Carcassone to Perpignan trip.

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On TGV and Corail Tevoz services you will need a reservation and by early booking you may be able to get a promotional fare. This apples on the Nice to Avignon leg of the journey for which there are direct TGV services. Note that Avignon TGV station is ou of the town centre with a shuttle bus which runs every 20 minutes during the day (and the station s worth seeing in itself).

For the rest of the journey you would probably be using trains that you do not need a reservation or gain much from advance purchase particularly at that time of year. To some extent it depends on the day and time of travel - avoid Friday and Sunday afternoons and early evening, and possibly morning rush hours for lower fares.

However given the sterling/euro echange rate in the last little while you can buy tickets in £ through SNCF%26#39;s UK operation Rail Europe on www.sncf.co.uk or, if you want to talk to someone, 08448 484 064. I generally find the staff helpful.

If you want to check timetables click the Horaires button on www.voyages-sncf.com

Have a good trip and remember to time/date stamp your ticket before getting on the train and that Salvador Dali claimed Perpignan to be the centre of the world.

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