There are special early-booking fares called ‘Prems’ (from ‘premiere’ – French for ‘first’) on French and some other railways. These fares are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. So if you’re quick, you can pick up a high-speed train ticket – for example, from Paris to Nice, for as little as £21 (adult one way).
You can book French trains up to 3 months in advance of travel. Eurostar‘s Direct Ski, Disney and Avignon services can be booked much further in advance.
Overnight trains are a great way to travel long distances, while saving on the cost of a night in a hotel. There are a number of accommodation options, the cheapest being reclining seats or, if you want a flat bed, standard class (6 berth) couchettes.
InterRail pass holders get free travel on many regional and local trains. Since these often run on the same routes as high speed services on which you may need to pay for seat reservation, this can be a cheaper way to travel. It’s also a chance to enjoy the scenery at a more leisurely pace.
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