The method
- Record the arrival, onward departure and full station names. Check whether you change buildings or stations. Two entries naming Paris do not necessarily indicate the same place.
- Note the proposed route, luggage and access needs. Save the consulted plan and address. When a service or lift is essential, check current availability rather than assuming it works.
- Keep a contact or alternative-route question ready for a change. Read updated information on the travel day; a platform considered during planning remains provisional.
Fictional worked example
In a fictional case, arrival and departure occur at different stations. The urban transfer becomes an explicit task instead of disappearing between two times.
The record to keep
Keep full place names, the plan and unanswered questions. Distinguish estimates from published information.
Your record, step by step
For your own situation, record the following information. Check a field when it is documented; missing information still needs verification. The boxes are a reminder within this page.
This checklist does not validate your project. No entries are sent or saved.
Fictional worked case. A fictional connection has 25 minutes between published times. This alone does not describe usable transfer time.
| Element | Observation in the case | Interpretation or next check |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled arrival | Train A at 14:05 | Keep station and date |
| Scheduled departure | Train B at 14:30 | Arithmetic gap: 25 minutes |
| Actual location | Second ticket names a different station | Identify travel between the stations |
| Usable time | Walking and any boarding limit unknown | Do not present 25 minutes as guaranteed margin |
What this method can establish
The sheet calculates no universal connection margin and guarantees no transfer. Assistance, disruption and ticket conditions require separate checks.
Useful questions before you start
Is a city name enough?
Record the exact station, building and access points relevant to your journey.
Does a plan prove a service is operating?
It locates the service; current availability needs a separate check.
What if the platform has not been announced?
Mark it as unconfirmed and keep a way to check on site. An old platform number or screenshot must not become a certain instruction.
Supporting documentation
These references support the method. Each source shows its language and consultation date; an available directory record explains its purpose.
- SNCF Connect — Informations et plans des gares FR ↗
Documentation consulted on · Resource record : SNCF Connect
An editorial method, a fictional example and references for further reading.