According to Trainline, a Paris-Rennes journey made during the May bridges in 2024 could cost 63% less on average if it was booked in time. (Illustration) (Inkflo / Pixabay)
According to a study by the independent reservation application Trainline, the most important criterion for paying less for train tickets is the time of booking. By purchasing your ticket several weeks in advance, you can save more than 50%.
How to get your train tickets at the best price? According to a study by the independent reservation application Trainline, relayed by
TF1
this Friday January 17, the time of reservation remains the most important criterion. When possible, it is advisable to book your tickets several weeks in advance so as not to have to pay full price.
Buy when sales open
The Trainline investigation focused in particular on TGVs departing from Paris to certain destinations. It then established the number of tickets already sold between 31 and 62 days before departure and compared this figure to the total number of trains initially scheduled. Conclusion: planning well in advance can cut the bill in half. The ideal time is eleven weeks before departure, i.e. when sales open.
Thus, in the event of a public holiday which extends the weekend, more than half of the TGVs are sold out several weeks before departure. In 2024, during the May holidays, tickets for 49% of these trains were already no longer available just 72 hours after sales opened. According to the application, a Paris-Rennes trip made during this same period could cost 63% less on average if it was booked in time.
“Tickets are selling out quickly”
Another example: a trip between Brussels and Paris costs 112.36 euros if the reservation is made a few days before, but drops to 53.16 euros when places are taken almost three months earlier, a drop of 53%.
“Tickets sell out quickly, and the later you book, the higher the prices”
detail the authors of the study.
This year, journeys including March 31 and May 11 will be open for sale this Wednesday, January 22.
