Rail Europe

I will be going to Europe in July. I do not need a Eurail pass since I will not travel by train a lot. But I do need to travel by train on 2 journeys. First one is from Paris to Lucerne, second one is from Lucerne to Milan. And I have a few questions about this.1) Where can I buy the tickets for those 2 legs? Do I have to buy it on the web or can I buy it at the station?2) I have checked on web that both journeys require reservation. Since I am not using Eurail pass, after I have bought the tickets at the station, do I still need to make reservation?3) Normally in July, how many days in advance do I have to make the reservation? 4) if I am in hurry, can I buy the tickets on the train?
- asked by Jessie

Answer #1
1. you can buy them at the station but go showticket will be more expensive than you book it inadvance2. normaly if you use international trainyou need to make a reservation for that (Talys,ICE) some trains no need to make anyreservation.3. normally 1 month in advance youwill get a good price. min 1 week in advance -unless no seat left.4. for international train -sometime you can do that - but sometime yes youpossible to buy a ticket on the train - when youjumped to train - take your breath first and tryto find the train's conductor - tell her/him thatyou're in hurry and would like to buy a ticket.
- answered by Sacha D

Answer #2
Only one way???You can buy the tickets at thetrain stations any time before boarding. (if youare in Paris for let's sy 2 weeks,, you can buythem there the first day you are in Paris.You alsocan buy them in the train from the conductorIf youlive in the US, I doubt you can buy these 2journeys on line anyway UNLESS you are taking the"bullet" trains. (TGV, etc)www.scnf.com (frenchrailroad)www.sbb.ch/eng (swiss railroad)
- answered by Servette

Answer #3
I recommend you go to a travel agency that sellstrain tickets, or the ticket counter in a Paristrain station when you get there, and buy thetickets and reservations (together) a couple ofdays in advance. If you want to be spontaneous,don't try to buy a ticket on the train. Sometrains have reserved seats, so if you get on youmay be in someone's seat. Also, some TGV trainshave a ticket checker at a gate before you canenter the platform. You could approach theconductors outside regular trains only if you'retotally late and HAVE to take THAT train, but Ithink to Lucerne there's a TGV. Just try at theticket window one or two hours in advance and youmight be lucky enough to get a ticket if the trainis not full. Don't panic if they don't have aseat, there are other ways to go, like ask when'sthe next train, or if there's a train to somewhereclose to Lucerne, like Zurich, Basel or Lausanne. Then you can change trains there, but pay for itall in Paris.
- answered by tommypinkerton