Over-60s pay less for rail travel

Tickets can be bought and used for any journey, even just before departure, and the €57-a-year card – gives a guaranteed minimum 25% reduction on all tickets.

Only a limited number of tickets are available with the 50% discount and SNCF advises passengers to book in advance. However, the 25% reduction is available until the last seat is sold. That can mean typical savings of up to €18 on a Paris-Lyon single ticket which will drop from €69 to €51.

SNCF also advises older travellers to ask for a travel sheet by email which gives the information needed for each stage of the journey.

Under-60s can get discounts of up to 40% by buying the €76 Carte Escapades, available for journeys of more than 200km at weekends.

Get information in English on all SNCF services on www.tgv-europe.com