Page 249 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  247

reservation machines (with (185 mph). The classic DIRECTORY
English instructions) on the Intercités trains running
concourse of main stations. from city to city can be a good Information and
For travel by TGV, Corail and travelling option. Both TGVs Reservations
Motorail a reservation is and Intercités can be overnight AutoTrain
essential but can be made sleepers. Reservations are ∑ autotrain.uk.voyages-sncf.
as little as five minutes obligatory for all services com/en
before the train leaves, and and can be made through
up to 90 days in advance. Rail Europe or SNCF. Eurail
Costs rise considerably at AutoTrain trains allow drivers ∑ eurail.com
peak times. The international to travel overnight with their Eurostar
ticket and reservation car. The service runs from Paris St Pancras International
system at Lille Europe station Bercy to Avignon, Marseille, Pancras Road,
allows direct booking on Toulon and Nice. Reservations London NW1.
services throughout the are essential. Tel 08432 186 186.
continent and the UK. TER trains are regional Paris Gare du Nord,
services that usually stop at rue de Dunkerque,
every station. Reservations 75010 Paris.
Fares are not required, and tickets Tel 08 92 35 35 39.
TGVs have two price levels are not normally available in ∑ eurostar.com
for 2nd class, normal and advance. Route maps and Eurotunnel
peak, and a single level for information (in French only) (Off junction 11a, M20,
1st class. The cost of the are available at stations and Folkestone).
obligatory seat reservation on the TER website, see the Tel 08443 353 535 (France).
is included in the ticket price. directory box for details. Tel 08 10 63 03 04.
Tickets for other trains can ∑ eurotunnel.com
be subject to a supplement Inter-Rail
and do not include the ∑ interrail.eu
reservation charge of €3. Rail Europe USA
Discounts of 25 per cent are 44 S. Broadway, White Plains,
available for people travelling NY 10604, US.
with children (Découverte Tel 1-800-622-8600
Enfant+), for young people (freephone in US).
(Découverte 12–25), for the ∑ raileurope.com
over-60s (Découverte Senior),
for two people travelling SNCF
Tel 3635 (France).
together (Billet Duo), for return Tel 00 33 892 35 35 35
trips including a Saturday night (Outside France).
(Découverte Sejour) and for ∑ voyages-sncf.com
advance booking (Découverte
J8 and Découverte J30). Picturesque view from the Train TER
For those spending a bit more des Pignes ∑ ter-sncf.com
time on French railways, the Private Railway
SNCF issues a Carte Enfant+ and Scenic Rail Routes
a Carte Senior giving reductions Carte Senior giving reductions Carte Senior The private rail service Chemins Chemins de Fer
of up to 50 per cent. Rail Europe de Fer de Provence runs the de Provence
can supply these cards. Train des Pignes, a 151-km Tel 04 97 03 80 80.
Inter-Rail cards allow (90-mile) ride from Nice to ∑ trainprovence.com
unlimited travel in European Dignes-les-Bains. This is a
countries excluding the one dramatic journey through
of issue. (See the Inter-Rail tunnels and over viaducts,
website for more information.) with magnificent views. The
Eurail passes are available to single-track railway from Nice to
non-European residents and, Cuneo in Italy via Peille, Sospel
in North America, France and Tende is also a spectacular
Railpass is another option. ride through mountainous
terrain. The Alpazur service runs
in summer between Nice and
Types of Train Grenoble with a tourist steam
SNCF trains are divided into train on the Puget-Théniers
several different types. TGV section; hikers can leave and
trains are the flagships of the rejoin the train after a day’s
network, travelling on specially walking. For more information
built track at around 300 kph see cccp.traindespignes.free.fr.