anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Posted 15 years ago
Hey,
I just went to the SNCF boutique in the small city where I live in France to buy my interrail global pass and the lady at the guichet wasn't very sure of what she was doing. So I would like to confirm somethings with you, ok?
1- First, is the ticket sold in the train station really filled-in by hand? (i just thought it would be something more official, maybe printed)
2 - When writting my details (full name, country, passport number, etc.) she wrote Brazil for country. Is this right or should it be the country of residence? (in this case France) ( because nowhere else in the ticket is says I'm a resident of an European country...)
3- On the ticket is says only valid when stamped on the back side, so I asked her to stamp it and she didn't know very well what kind of stamp was this about, so she stamped toda'ys date with Poitiers (the city where I got the pass). Is this it?
Thank you very much,
Alice
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi Alice ...
[b]This is the problem - I always warn[/b] - just buy it online via: [ux]https://rail.shop/interrail[/ux]
- The [b]delivery is by secure mail[/b] (next-day-delivery or 48 hours express delivery)
- It is the [b]official InterRail ticket[/b]
- You get [b]correct filled and printed tickets[/b]
- You [b]do not have to leave your home[/b]
- You [b]support the railcc project[/b] where you get all the information about supplements, night trains and so on ...
[b]But if you want to risk it purchasing your ticket at a place where the person don't really know what to do (and this is very often the case!!!), try it...[/b] ;)
To you questions:
[b]1)[/b] No - it is filled by a computer. If it is a Global InterRail ticket you will get as well a rail map and a little and small information brochure (not need to have it, nothing special - but just have to mention it).
[b]2)[/b] If you stayed the last six months in France and can proof this by a residency permit or some other official documents like a visa, as country of residence FRANCE has to be on your ticket - otherwise it is NOT valid - if this is not the case that you can proof a six months residency in France (or Europe), you can not travel by InterRail, you have to travel by Eurail.
[b]3)[/b] Stamped? If you get the official one, no stamp is needed as everything is printed by computer on it's front.
If you have already the ticket, go back to the office and get it refunded.
And then with a new and correct one - have a sunny tour of Europe, Peter :)
anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Well, I had no idea that the pass would be sold differently in a train station (since they are normally so professional). I wonder why this happens...
Ok, so I already have my pass. Should I go back there and ask if someone else knows hot to print it?? Are you sure the pass filled in by hand is not valid (it says Interrail on it and I received the maps and brochures). The woman wasnt sure what to do but she was following the instructions on the interrail guide they had there. So, how come it's not a proper pass??
I think I can go there and try to have another pass with the correct coutry on it but Im not sure if they can print it....
Thank you veeery much,
Alice
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
hi Alice...
I can only give you as answer what I learned the last 13 years with this online project concerning the sale of InterRail tickets in stations or travel agencies.
Do whatever you want - you are free to decide. :)
But at least, get France as country of residence in your ticket - I am sure you will definitely get problems during your tour with an Brazilian InterRail ticket.
And even you tell the staff in the trains which will check your ticket: but the lady at the French railway station did filled it... and so on ... it is simply not a correct ticket.
all the best, Peter :)