So much for trains

[bellinghman]

I was just attempting to get train fares for a journey from Sierre (Swiss Alps) to London.

Holy crap! How do they expect anyone to use trains? I can get from Sierre to Paris at a reasonable price - a very reasonable price for a direct TGV that takes 5:20. But that's no use whatsoever, if it then costs THREE TIMES AS MUCH for the Paris to London link, which is only 2:40.

</rant>

EDIT: Many thanks for the purpletigron/purplecthulhu's advice on getting round Eurostar.

EDIT: OK, I can do Sierre to Paris-Lyon for 113 CHF, if I buy it from the Swiss, and using the halbtax card. That's just under £48. And going via the "I am American" part of the Eurostar site allows me to buy the single/non-flexible fare at $89 each - which is roughly £45. That's compared to the insane £300+ it was trying to do me for originally for the Paris to London leg!

So, Swiss Alps to central London for £93 isn't too bad. I just wish it wasn't such an incredible hassle finding this all out. If I was a PA doing this, and factoring in the cost of my time, it'd be another matter.

EDIT: Ooops, forgot time zone differences. That was 2:40, not 1:40

Comments

Re: Actually from purplecthulhu, busy on another line

[totkat.livejournal.com]

I must be doing something wrong... all the journeys I look for say "no online tickets possible" with the explanation "For connections outside of Germany, a special ticket is required. These offers are not bookable via the internet."

So, I'm not sure how you get to buy a Paris to London ticket this way.

Re: Actually from purplecthulhu, busy on another line

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

We are told that you need to 'order' rather than 'book' the ticket - I was led to believe that there was a button for this, but perhaps you need to email them with the details instead. purplecthulhu will check with the colleague concerned tomorrow. But http://www.seat61.com/ may still help?

Re: Actually from purplecthulhu, busy on another line

[totkat.livejournal.com]

Aaah right. seat61 is rather useful as well, yes.