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SNCF Christmas Ticket Launch Sells 1.6 Million in Hours, Adds Seats to Alsace

Early demand for discounted fares underscores the pull of Christmas markets in Alsace.

Overview

  • About 1.6 million tickets were sold by 6 p.m. on opening day for travel from December 14 to January 7, roughly triple a typical day, according to SNCF&Tech.
  • Sales peaked between 6:00 and 6:15 a.m. with around 5,000 tickets sold per minute, the equivalent of up to 10 TGVs filled each minute.
  • SNCF will add up to 29,000 extra seats per week to Strasbourg and Colmar from November 27 to December 23, a 22% increase targeted at Christmas market travel.
  • A new Ouigo TGV service to Hendaye via Bordeaux, Dax, Bayonne, Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz begins December 14.
  • Dynamic pricing rewarded early bookings with average savings near 30%, and Alsace hotels and retailers report earlier reservations and stronger holiday expectations.