European Railroad Discussion > On TGV INOUI 9247 Gare de Lyon to Milan

At least with Amtrak, the car numbers matching your seat or room assignment are visikble from the platform.  Not on SNCF.  It even put two trrains on the same track, and you are supposed to figure that out yourself.  SNCF staff on the platform were of ZERO help in directing us to Car 13.  First class gets you cramped 2-1 seating, and riding backwards, too.  Also, zero help with luggae except for passengersds who got on first helping.

John

 

Almost 3.5 hours into trip.  Around 20 km south of Cambry.  Train stopped for a while to let NB pass.  Much slow speed running at Amtrak speeds.  15 minutes behind schedule.

DocJohn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> At least with Amtrak, the car numbers matching
> your seat or room assignment are visikble from the
> platform.  Not on SNCF.  It even put two trrains
> on the same track, and you are supposed to figure
> that out yourself.  SNCF staff on the platform
> were of ZERO help in directing us to Car 13. 
> First class gets you cramped 2-1 seating, and
> riding backwards, too.  Also, zero help with
> luggae except for passengersds who got on first
> helping.
>
> John
>
>  

You were in France, Paris no less and you're an American. 'nuf said.

KC - just IMO

DocJohn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Almost 3.5 hours into trip.  Around 20 km south
> of Cambry.  Train stopped for a while to let NB
> pass.  Much slow speed running at Amtrak
> speeds.  15 minutes behind schedule.

I travel to France very frequently, and am very easily identified as an American, but have always loved it and found the French (even Parisians) to be friendly and helpful.
Now, I admit I do speak some very basic French, but have never really had the sterotypical "rude" French experience.  Belgium, on the other hand...

All that said, you've discovered a dark secret - French trains generally suck.  SNCF makes travel by train more difficult than necessary and their website is horrible.  The TGVs themselves are very cramped and uncomfortable and they're almost always dirty.
Forget about catering, much less actually having a decent meal.  They do usually display the car number somewhere, but perhaps that wasn't working that day?  I do remember it being hard to find and not in the obvious place by the door they used to post it. 
The traditional 'Corail' stock was nice 40 years ago, but breaks down frequently and, again, usually quite dirty.

I've had some very pleasant trips on newer equipment (first photo from GPutz in his 2nd thread has one of these newer trains) from the regions, but try and avoid SNCF if I can.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/26 10:25 by Waybiller.

My experience with the French is that they treat you as you treat them. Go in with a 'tude and you'll get one back.

Did you start your interaction with "bonjour?" My experience is, if you do that, even if all else is English or on a tranlation app, the French are much more likely to help. 

When two tgvs are connected ar 1 on the second set is car 21 iirc. There's a digital display at each door shoeing the car number. It's easy to miss if you are rushing.

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