The magazine 60 million consumers released Thursday a monthly devoted to SNCF tariffs. It pins the railway company for the vagueness maintained around its prices. Invited to the set of Europe 1, the deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine, Benjamin Douriez, notably mentioned prices that could vary "from 1 to 11".
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"We always have a little trouble finding our way around," poses Benjamin Douriez straight away. 60 million consumers studied the prices of almost 3,000 trains. The magazine thus notes monumental differences, for example, for Paris-Bordeaux or Paris-Marseille journeys. "We have call prices at 10 euros, but the ticket price can go up to 110-115 euros [...] there are large price differences which explain why consumers are lost."
No savings possible during school holidays
Benjamin Douriez explains that he regularly receives complaints, particularly concerning the prices charged during school holiday periods. "Our study shows that on these highly requested dates, there is sometimes no saving to be hoped for. Even when reservations are opened, we are at the maximum rate."
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To save money, the only solution is to book several months in advance, excluding major departures. The traveler can expect "20% savings, [if he reserves two months in advance, compared to the price expressed fifteen days before departure".