hot start for winter holiday ticket sales

© Balint Porneczi/Bloomberg/Getty Images

– The SNCF ticket office for the winter holidays is open!

One month before the end of year holidays, it's already time to think about the winter holidays! And for those who go skiing in particular, you must book train tickets to benefit from the best prices. As reported by BFMTV, this Wednesday, November 13 marks the start of winter holiday ticket sales. Since 6 a.m. this Wednesday, the ticket office for the period going from January 9 to March 30, 2025 is therefore open. And as always with the SNCF, you shouldn't delay since the railway company relies on dynamic pricing. In short: prices are adjusted in real time based on demand.

For this new winter season, SNCF Voyageurs tells BFMTV that it has strengthened certain connections like that of Bourg-Saint-Maurice in order to“ensure service to ski resorts, particularly on weekends and during school holidays”. In addition, to avoid an influx of requests on TGVs, the SNCF would like to point out that certain Intercity trains can serve ski resorts, like the lines linking Paris to Clermont-Ferrand, Aurillac, Briançon, Tarbes or Latour-de-Carol. Trains “day and night”.

Trains filled in a few days

The SNCF encourages travelers to anticipate their trip, particularly during periods when connections are in high demand (particularly on weekends). Our colleagues point out that the same place reserved well in advance may cost up to three times cheaper only if you do it at the last moment. According to data provided by Trainline, travelers booking a ticket a month in advance of their trip make no (or very little) savings, while those booking on the opening day (or within the first week) can make up to 20% savings.

And price isn't the only thing to consider. Some trains, such as those traveling on the Paris-Chambéry route, fill up very quickly. In 2023, 61% of these trains were complete in three days. The Advantage card can also be a good ally for saving money. Note that, as Capital mentioned a few days ago, it is now possible to buy your SNCF tickets six months in advance on certain lines.

The routes concerned for this new reservation window are Paris-Lyon, Paris-Marseille and Paris-Montpellier. Travelers can book a ticket between January 9 and July 4, 2025. It is also possible to book tickets for ski holidays with the competition. With one return trip every weekend from December 15 to March, Trenitalia serves Chambéry and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. But to do this, you have to exit the SNCF Connect application!