One way ticket?... i.e. when and which train ticket

Ticket price

The price of a train ticket is influenced by three factors:

• THE DATE OF BOOKING

The earlier the date of booking a ticket, the cheaper the ticket is, of course. This is the basic rule for booking train tickets for most European journeys. Here we will give an example. Buying a train ticket for a London to Paris Eurostar service the day before departure can be as much as 70% more expensive than one purchased three months in advance.

• TARIFF

Another thing that affects the cost of a ticket is the fare. Most high-speed trains give passengers the option of buying a ticket in several types of fare.

Best second class or best first class does not allow the return of an unused ticket or any change to the ticket.

Flexible second class or flexible first class guarantees passengers a refund - this could be, for example, 50% of the ticket price (this all depends on the type of train). Remember to return the ticket a few days before departure.

There is also a business class fare (on some routes) that provides a full refund. Ticket refunds can be made up to 60 days after the scheduled date of travel.

• BOOKING CLASS

The third factor that can significantly affect the price of a ticket is the booking class. Most high-speed railways offer two classes - 1 and 2.

First class fares can be up to 100% higher compared to second class.

Ticket types and forms of delivery

When a passenger makes a booking, it is shown which type of ticket is required by the carrier.

There are three types of ticket:

• Electronic ticket - (P@H)

This type of train ticket is sent to the e-mail address provided during booking. Such a ticket must be printed out and taken with you on your journey. Printed tickets can be in colour or black and white.

• Paper ticket - (E2)

Only a few carriers require a traditional paper ticket from travellers. In this case, the rail ticket is sent to the customer by courier to the address provided during booking

• Train ticket printed at station - (TOD)

This is a type of rail ticket printed from machines in railway stations.

When booking online, the passenger receives a booking number via email with detailed instructions on how to print the ticket at the railway station. The TOD ticket must be printed at least 30 minutes before travel.

There are also** three types of train tickets on European trains.** They are classified as follows:

• Reserved ticket

This is a ticket valid for travel on a particular route on a particular day. Such a train ticket contains the train number, departure time, carriage number and seats. Such a ticket cannot be used to travel on another train (even on the same route). Reserved tickets are sent to the passenger electronically.

• Open ticket

A train ticket is purchased for a specific route, but - most importantly - without specifying the departure time of the train. The passenger can choose any train on the route. There is only one condition, that no reservation is required on the train in question. The open ticket does not have a seat number. The traveller in the purchased reservation class chooses his/her own seat.

• Mixed tickets

There are situations in which a traveller will have to use two or even three types of ticket on a given route.

We already explain:

Travelling between Lyon and London

On the Lyon-Paris section, the passenger will have to use the TOD ticket (discussed earlier) for the TGV, while on the Paris-London route, he or she will have to use the printed electronic ticket P@H , which is valid on the Eurostar train.

In conclusion...an educated traveller is a happy traveller. To waste no more time - book your train ticket online now.

Book your train ticket online

Book and buy train tickets online and train timetables are available on Europodróże.co.uk.

Book your train ticket online now for rail travel. Only on our website - EuroPodróże.pl