questions about the europe rail tickets?

Question

I will be going to Europe in July. I do not need a Eurail pass since I will not travel by train a lot. But I do need to travel by train on 2 journeys. First one is from Paris to Lucerne, second one is from Lucerne to Milan. And I have a few questions about this.

1) Where can I buy the tickets for those 2 legs? Do I have to buy it on the web or can I buy it at the station?

2) I have checked on web that both journeys require reservation. Since I am not using Eurail pass, after I have bought the tickets at the station, do I still need to make reservation?

3) Normally in July, how many days in advance do I have to make the reservation?

4) if I am in hurry, can I buy the tickets on the train?

Answer 1

Only one way???
You can buy the tickets at the train stations any time before boarding. (if you are in Paris for let's sy 2 weeks,, you can buy them there the first day you are in Paris.
You also can buy them in the train from the conductor
If you live in the US, I doubt you can buy these 2 journeys on line anyway UNLESS you are taking the "bullet" trains. (TGV, etc)
www.scnf.com (french railroad)
www.sbb.ch/eng (swiss railroad)

Answer 2

I recommend you go to a travel agency that sells train tickets, or the ticket counter in a Paris train station when you get there, and buy the tickets and reservations (together) a couple of days in advance. If you want to be spontaneous, don't try to buy a ticket on the train. Some trains have reserved seats, so if you get on you may be in someone's seat. Also, some TGV trains have a ticket checker at a gate before you can enter the platform. You could approach the conductors outside regular trains only if you're totally late and HAVE to take THAT train, but I think to Lucerne there's a TGV. Just try at the ticket window one or two hours in advance and you might be lucky enough to get a ticket if the train is not full. Don't panic if they don't have a seat, there are other ways to go, like ask when's the next train, or if there's a train to somewhere close to Lucerne, like Zurich, Basel or Lausanne. Then you can change trains there, but pay for it all in Paris.

Answer 3

1. you can buy them at the station but go show ticket will be more expensive than you book it in advance

2. normaly if you use international train you need to make a reservation for that (Talys, ICE) some trains no need to make any reservation.

3. normally 1 month in advance you will get a good price. min 1 week in advance - unless no seat left.

4. for international train - sometime you can do that - but sometime yes you possible to buy a ticket on the train - when you jumped to train - take your breath first and try to find the train's conductor - tell her/him that you're in hurry and would like to buy a ticket.