One of the most popular periods of train travel is without doubt the winter period encompassing Christmas, the New Year, and the start of the ski season.
As these are such popular times to travel, early booking is strongly recommended, so make sure to put the date in your diary to avoid disappointment.
On the 16th October 2014 at 5am, seats on French trains for travel between 14th December 2014 and 6th February 2015 will be released for purchase online and via Voyages-sncf.com’s UK based call centre and from 8am, from the London Travel Centre, where a mini-breakfast will be provided for early morning customers.
The advantages of rail travel such as and shorter check-in times and generous luggage allowances are of benefit to all travellers. For skiers in particular there are no additional charges for ski carriage, and being able to travel right into the heart of the mountains meaning maximum time on the slopes, is a bonus. Rail travel is also the more environmentally friendly choice to make.
The winter months are also a great time to travel around France even if winter sports are not top of your list. City breaks are more fun as queues for the most popular sites, monuments and places of interest are much shorter. It is easier to move around and prices are not necessarily at a premium in hotels and restaurants. Even seaside holidays are still possible late in the year if you are popping down to the French Riviera or the Languedoc coast where winter sun continues to shine.
The winter timetable features increased services on routes popular with skiers, such as the Paris to Bourg St Maurice overnight service, which usually runs every night throughout the winter ski season.
As well as domestic French trains, a range of international routes will be available, including Paris to Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Luxembourg and Freiburg, and Brussels to selected French destinations.
For further information or to book, go to www.Voyages-sncf.com, call 0844 848 5 848 or visit the Voyages-sncf Travel Centre at 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU.