Train prices

Frederica

We will be using sbb trains to travel to Alsace and Swiss towns: Reims, Metz, Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Solothurn, Basel. When I compare train ticket prices now to prices in December, when we will travel, there is little difference. Yet I’ve read I should buy the tickets as far in advance as I can for best rates. Any thoughts on doing so or waiting until we travel?

Danhiel

Hello Frederica

No SBB trains In France, the name of the railway company is SNCF. It is necessary to buy tickets in advance only for the TGV.

For the region Grand Est, you could buy a « carte fluo » for 20 € which gives you a reduction of 50% on the regional trains (TER). This card and the tickets are available on sncf-connect.com or in the SNCF Connect app. Tickets are also available on vending machines in the stations.

For Switzerland you must buy tickets in advance to obtain Supersaver Tickets (valid only in the selected trains) and Saver Day Passes (valid in every train), but they are not refundable and not exchangeable.

Kind Regards
Danhiel

Frederica

Danhiel
Thank you Danhiel - good information. I have spent hours trying to find a discount pass that will work for us with no luck. Your “Carte Fluo” sounds great. It states that a companion (my husband) can travel for the half price also on weekends and holidays. I gather that if our travel is on weekdays he would need his own “carte fluo”. Is there a further reduced carte for seniors - we are both 77?
Also as I inputed a train from Reims to Metz I didn’t see an option to select carte fluo under “discount cards and season tickets” or “Loyalty program”.

Danhiel

Frederica
You have probably a TGV from Reims to Metz and the card fluo is not valid, but it will be very complicated to travel between these two cities only with regional trains.

You could also look if an Eurail (if you live outside Europe) or an Interrail Global Pass valid in France and Switzerland were better for you, reductions are available for seniors. It depends of the number of days of your trip:

https://www.eurail.com/en/eurail-passes/global-pass

Seat reservation fees are not included in the Passes for the TGV.

Frederica

Danhiel
Thanks again Danhiel for your info. The eurail would be crazy expensive for just our travel between 6 towns in Alsace. I like the idea of the CHS 20 Grand Est fluo carte. But If I purchase the CHF20 Grand Est fluo carte, at the time of booking a ticket how/where do I select the carte for the 50% off or is it automatically added to my account and then deducted when purchasing the ticket?

Danhiel

Frederica
I suggest to create an account on sncf-connect.com, your settings will be stored, but check every time when you buy a ticket.

Select Buy your TER (if displayed)
Click on Traveller 1
Select the age
Select Discount Cards and Season Tickets
Select Cartes TER régionales
Scroll down and select Grand Est - Carte Fluo
Validate

You should see this traveller:

If you add a second person as companion, select Grand Est - Accompagnant Carte Fluo