FIP coupons what are they and are they worth it for this trip?

[221129]

Hi all,

Am planning a trip to Marseille in late April and am looking at best way of getting there and back by train. I'm thinking Eurostar to Paris and then TGV to Marseille. There are 2 of us going for 5 days and only I have FIP. We are likely to want to explore some lines in the area during our stay.

Am I best off using FIP card for a discount or my coupons? If so how do they work and how do I get them?

Thanks in advance.

 

[theironroad]

The rail staff travel site should answer most of your questions. Only discounts on Eurostar, can't use coupons. Some services require a supplement if using a coupon, but I've not used coupons for many years......

https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/faqs.html#IntApply

 

[ge-gn]

You will be able to get a good discount on the Eurostar to Paris.

I would advice you to get your coupon for the internal journey. This way all you will need to pay is a notional reservation supplement.

International Rail will sort the tickets and reservations out for you free of charge, or someone like Rail Canterbury are good, although they'll charge you around 10%.

Get your coupons by filling in a form via the link in the above post. Read the whole site, it's got loads of advice.

Biggest tip though, get straight on it, because Priv seats are limited on each Eurostar service.

Oh, you should get your RER in Paris free also, but make sure you specify!

 

[ge-gn]

You will be able to get a good discount on the Eurostar to Paris.

I would advice you to get your coupon for the internal journey. This way all you will need to pay is a notional reservation supplement.

International Rail will sort the tickets and reservations out for you free of charge, or someone like Rail Canterbury are good, although they'll charge you around 10%.

Get your coupons by filling in a form via the link in the above post. Read the whole site, it's got loads of advice.

Biggest tip though, get straight on it, because Priv seats are limited on each Eurostar service.

Oh, you should get your RER in Paris free also, but make sure you specify!

PS, The above booking agents will also sort out the other travellers public tickets and reservations to make sure you are sitting together.

I have travelled from Marseille to Lille direct by TGV before therefore avoiding having to cross Paris, but I'm not sure that is still an option. Someone else will know, or use www.bahn.de for their journey planner.

 

[30907]

i have travelled from Marseille to Lille direct by TGV before therefore avoiding having to cross Paris, but I'm not sure that is still an option. Someone else will know, or use www.bahn.de for their journey planner.

4 services daily with London connections possible. Not necessarily cheaper.

 

[221129]

Thanks everyone, speaking to colleagues as well and it looks like coupons are my best choice for this trip.

If anyone has any suggestions on places/areas to visit on our trip I would love to hear them!

 

[daylightatthegrids]

Simple question... will the coupon be valid for as many trips as I can make within different countries until it runs out? Or is there a limit for journeys to be made within the validity time of it?

 

[Mag_seven]

Simple question... will the coupon be valid for as many trips as I can make within different countries until it runs out? Or is there a limit for journeys to be made within the validity time of it?

No there is no limit on the number of journeys you can make within the validity period of the dated FIP coupon box.

 

[daylightatthegrids]

Cheers mate that helps!!

 

[daylightatthegrids]

No there is no limit on the number of journeys you can make within the validity period of the dated FIP coupon box.

sorry mate just found this on rail delivery group website

How do the coupons work?
When your coupon tickets arrive, they will show your title, full name and the expiry date. Each coupon contains four numbered boxes, which when dated are valid for up to 48 hours (that day and up to midnight of the following day) of free travel on the train services of the administration concerned. You must enter the date of travel in the next box (in the format dd/mm/yy) prior to boarding the train.
In the event of on-train staff being apparently unaware of this rule, the multilingual guide on the reverse of the cover letter with your coupon tickets may be of help.

 

[Mag_seven]

sorry mate just found this on rail delivery group website

How do the coupons work?
When your coupon tickets arrive, they will show your title, full name and the expiry date. Each coupon contains four numbered boxes, which when dated are valid for up to 48 hours (that day and up to midnight of the following day) of free travel on the train services of the administration concerned. You must enter the date of travel in the next box (in the format dd/mm/yy) prior to boarding the train.
In the event of on-train staff being apparently unaware of this rule, the multilingual guide on the reverse of the cover letter with your coupon tickets may be of help.

The key point being that within the 48 hours (my highlighting) you can travel on as many of that administrations services as you like.

 

[daylightatthegrids]

I see! Anyway I’m just planning 4 days in the continent so shouldn’t be a prob.

 

[axlecounter]

UK FIP coupons seem to have far more interesting terms than the Swiss ones

 

[Mag_seven]

UK FIP coupons seem to have far more interesting terms than the Swiss ones

Could you expand on that please - I thought the Terms and Conditions for FIP coupons were uniform across all participating countries?

 

[axlecounter]

Could you expand on that please - I thought the Terms and Conditions for FIP coupons were uniform across all participating countries?

Well, that was my perception. I verified and realised it was just a big misreading error on my part.

 

[387star]

Do you need to make a reservation with coupons heard many European services require reservations

Surely Amsterdam airport into Amsterdam is a free journey.

 

[221129]

Do you need to make a reservation with coupons heard many European services require reservations

Surely Amsterdam airport into Amsterdam is a free journey.

If the train is reservation compulsory you will need a reservation.