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What is SNCF?

SNCF (or Société nationale des chemins de fer français) is France’s national rail company, first established in 1938. It operates in France under 4 main brands: TGV INOUI, TER, OUIGO and INTERCITÉS. These SNCF trains will take you on national, regional and local routes, including high-speed trains from Paris train stations.

Traveling with SNCF allows you to discover the wonders of France by train. SNCF trains can take you to all corners of France. What’s more, thanks to its international partnerships, SNCF can help transport you to the UK, Belgium, Germany or the Netherlands with Eurostar, to Switzerland with TGV Lyria, to Italy with TGV INOUI or even southern Germany with DB-SNCF. Why wait? Grab your tickets now.

French summer seats are live ☀️

SNCF Summer Seat Release

French carrier SNCF’s summer seats* are now live, which means the countdown to summer is officially on. So, stock up on sunscreen and practice your ‘Bonjours’ – you’re going to France! 

Thinking of traveling around France between 07/05 – 08/31? Check out these top routes for some inspo:

☀️ Paris to Bordeaux in 2 hours

☀️ Paris to Strasbourg in under 2 hours

☀️ Paris to Nice in under 6 hours

☀️ Paris to Lyon in under 2 hours

 

Plus, some top cross-border routes out of France are now available to book ‘til 12/13, including:

  • TGV Lyria
  • TGV INOUI Spain
  • TGV INOUI Italy

TGV Europe’s cross-border sale

For all those thinking of going cross-border, now’s your chance to grab TGV Europe tickets from just $43^!  

Dates for travel out of France depend on the carrier and where you’re heading:

  • TGV Lyria for travel to Switzerland between 06/28 – 08/24
  • TGV INOUI Italy for travel to Italy between 07/05 – 12/13
  • DB SNCF Voyageurs for travel to Germany between 04/22 – 07/05
  • TGV INOUI for travel to the city of Freiburg-im-Breisgau between 03/31 – 08/31
  • TGV INOUI for travel to Luxembourg between 04/22 – 07/05

  

This deal ends 03/19, so get planning and booking to make your dream European vacation come true for an unmissable price.

 

*Tickets on sale from 12 March 2025 at 5am (GMT) for travel between 5 July and 31 August 2025 inclusive, for journeys made with TGV INOUI or INTERCITÉS, in France and to a selection of destinations in Europe with TGV INOUI (France-Brussels, Paris-Fribourg, France-Luxembourg), subject to availability. Tickets on sale from 05 March 2025 for travel between 5 July and 13 December 2025 inclusive for travel with TGV INOUI between France and Spain, between France and Italy, with TGV Lyria between France and Switzerland, and with TGV INOUI in France between: Paris Gare de Lyon - Lyon Part-Dieu / Lyon Perrache (without connection) and including St Etienne-Châteaucreux in both directions. Paris Gare de Lyon - Marseille Saint Charles (without connection) including Nice Ville, Toulon and Hyères in both directions. Paris Gare de Lyon - Montpellier Sud de France / Montpellier Saint Roch (without connection) including Perpignan in both directions.
Tickets exchangeable and refundable free of charge up to 7 days before departure. From 6 days before departure, exchange or refund charges of €19 maximum on TGV INOUI and €15 maximum on INTERCITES (reservation required). From 30 minutes before departure, only one exchange possible and no refund possible after the exchange. TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and TGV LYRIA are registered trademarks of SNCF Voyageurs. All reproduction rights reserved.

^Original tickets are prices in Euros, prices shown in USD are based on FX rate and correct as of 02/25/2025 and are subject to change without notice.

Price per person, from $43, for a single 2nd class ticket with DB SNCF Voyageurs to Germany, TGV INOUI to Italy, TGV INOUI to Luxembourg, TGV INOUI to Ringsheim/Europa-Park and TGV Lyria to Switzerland, on certain days and on certain trains, on a selection of destinations in Europe to and from France, excluding transfers from stations on the lines serving the eligible destinations, and with almost 10,000 tickets available at $32 and 11,000 tickets at $38 for the same travel conditions with TGV Lyria. Tickets on sale from 12 to 19 March 2025 inclusive for all the above carriers except TGV Lyria, and from 12 to 18 March 2025 inclusive for TGV Lyria, for journeys made between 22 April and 5 July 2025 for TGV INOUI to Luxembourg, and between 31 March and 31 August 2025 for TGV INOUI to Ringsheim/Europa-Park, between 22 April and 4 July 2025 for DB SNCF Voyageurs in cooperation, between 28 June and 24 August 2025 for TGV Lyria and between 5 July and 13 December 2025 for TGV INOUI to Italy, subject to availability of seats at this fare. 50% reduction on the adult promotional price for children aged 4 to 11 inclusive for travel with DB SNCF Voyageurs in cooperation, TGV INOUI to Italy, Luxembourg and Ringsheim/Europa-Park. Non-exchangeable and non-refundable tickets. DB is a registered trademark of Deutsche Bahn AG, TGV INOUI and TGV Lyria are registered trademarks of SNCF Voyageurs. All rights reserved.

SNCF news

From seat releases to promos and flash sales, you'll find all the latest SNCF news here!

Terms and conditions

SNCF map

There’s so much to see and do in France – travel a more sustainable way and switch the car for the train on your next trip! Check out our SNCF map for more inspiration.

Wide range of destinations

In France, SNCF trains can take you the width and breadth of the country. High-speed TGV INOUI and OUIGO trains can take you from Paris to Lyon, from Marseille to Montpellier or even beyond, and TER trains operate on smaller, regional routes.

Our map highlights some of the main stations and routes across France, so it's a great way to plot your journey around France, making it quick and easy to plan your vacation.

If you're still looking for some ideas of where to take the train to in France, visit our trains in France page for some extra inspiration.

Most popular routes

SNCF destinations: where can you go?

 

Paris

Find out more about what to see and do in France's capital with our Paris travel guides.

 

Lyon

Find out more about taking a trip from Paris to Lyon by train.

 

Lille

Discover Lille and its hidden gems by train.

 

Bordeaux

Find out more about the best things to do in Bordeaux.

 

Marseille

Find out more about unique things to do in Marseille, France.

Nice

Find out more about how to travel from Paris to Nice by train.

Top SNCF routes

Using our Journey Planner, you can access SNCF train times and information for your selected route. This includes departure and arrival times, seating plans, direct and non-direct options and what type of trains you'll travel on.

Get inspired

The eternal question for eager travelers: where next? If you're looking for some inspiration on where to explore in France, take a look at our travel blog to plan out your days (and nights)!

How to buy SNCF tickets

Trainline makes it easy to buy SNCF tickets, whether you’re using our website or our app. Use our Journey Planner to compare times, tickets and prices to get the best ticket for your needs.

  1. Enter your origin and destination stations.
  2. Enter the dates you want to travel on and what time of day you’d like to travel, the number of passengers and their ages.
  3. Compare times and prices. You can also choose between different ticket classes.
  4. Select the tickets you’d like to purchase.
  5. Input your seating preferences (for high-speed trains, where seat reservations are included with your ticket).
  6. Provide your name(s), date of birth and contact details.
  7. Pay for your tickets (multiple payment options available; payment can be made in US Dollars).
  8. You’ll receive email confirmation of your purchase.
  9. You’ll then be able to access and download your e-tickets on the Trainline app or store them in your smartphone wallet.

How to get cheap SNCF tickets

If you’re after a good deal, we’ll show you how you could snag cheaper SNCF tickets for your next trip to France. By using one (or more) of the steps below, you could be on your way to more affordable train travel.

Look out for flash sales

SNCF runs flash sales and promotions during the year, so keep your eyes peeled – you could save money on your next train ticket! These sale tickets are limited and sell out quickly. Make sure you’re opted in to Trainline notifications so you can be one of the first to find out!

Book in advance

SNCF usually releases tickets around 3 months in advance (excluding larger seat releases, such as Christmas and Winter periods). Book in advance to get the cheapest tickets, as these sell out!

Travel during off-peak periods

You could save money by traveling in less busy periods. On the most popular trains, the cheapest tickets sell out quickly – picking an off-peak train could help you find a cheaper ticket.

Can I travel on SNCF trains with a Eurail Pass?

Guess what? You can use a Eurail Pass on most SNCF trains! Just a few extra steps...

Eurail logo

Regional TER trains

If you have a Eurail Pass and you want to travel on SNCF’s TER trains in France, you’re in luck!

No reservations are needed on most TER trains. You can simply hop on the train you want to take – but make sure you add it to your Eurail Pass before you board the train so that your Pass is valid.

 

Note: Eurail Passes are not valid on OUIGO Train Classique trains in France.

High-speed TGV INOUI trains

If you’re planning on taking a high-speed TGV INOUI train in France using your Eurail Pass, it’s best to plan ahead. You’ll need to purchase a seat reservation before you travel – and these can sell out!

You can buy a seat reservation on the Eurail reservation system, through the SNCF call center (+33 1849 43635, fees apply) or at a train station kiosk in France.

Seat reservations are subject to availability. If reservations are already sold out for your preferred train, try tweaking your travel dates or taking a slower route using TER trains (which don't require reservations).

 

Note: Eurail Passes are not valid on high-speed OUIGO trains in France.

INTERCITÉS trains

Eurail Passes are valid on INTERCITÉS and INTERCITÉS night trains. Seat reservations are mandatory on certain routes, including night trains.

INTERCITÉS night trains have limited reservations available for Eurail Passholders, so it’s best to book as far in advance as possible. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance.

You can buy a seat reservation on the Eurail reservation system, through the SNCF call center (+33 1849 43635, fees apply) or at a train station kiosk in France.

Classes on board SNCF trains

TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and night INTERCITÉS trains have First Class on board, giving you access to even more comfort than in Second Class.

SNCF trains

When traveling with SNCF, you'll be on either a TGV, TER, OUIGO or Intercities service. These trains provide different services across the country. Discover each train type, their destinations and what you can expect to find onboard below.

TGV INOUI

TGV INOUI trains are the flagship fleet run by SNCF. TGV stands for Train à Grande Vitesse, or high-speed train in English.

TGV trains depart and arrive from Paris on a daily basis, with destinations including Marseille, Nice, Strasbourg, Lyon and Bordeaux. You could even take a trip from Paris to Barcelona by train

TGV INOUI trains are extremely popular due to their double-decker style cars, enabling them to carry huge numbers of passengers on every route while providing stunning views for those lucky enough to grab a spot on the upper deck.

TGV INOUI trains have both First and Second Class carriages with baggage storage and toilets, so depending on your budget, there are two options for you to choose from. When traveling in First Class expect to find excellent comfort and amenities such as power outlets, hot drink holders and headrests. Seats are arranged in a 2 + 1 formation so there is much more space onboard First Class carriages compared to Second Class.

INTERCITÉS

SNCF INTERCITÉS trains serve major stations and destinations in all parts of France. These SNCF trains link the major Paris stations with destinations such as Le Havre, Lyon and Bordeaux in comfort and speed. INTERCITÉS trains also operate at night so if you have an early start or want to save forking out on hotel rooms, these journeys could be perfect.

When traveling onboard, many different facilities cater to all different travelers. There are quiet zones should you want to relax and maybe get some sleep while you travel. If you’re in a group, then you can ride in seats of four grouped around a table, creating a place to chat and relax as you glide through France.

If you’re traveling with young children, then there are selected INTERCITÉS that have special play area compartments. These are ideal for those who want keep their children occupied while traveling over long distances.

TER

If you are traveling within a region of France and want to move about effortlessly and quickly, then you may find yourself on a TER train. SNCF dedicate the TER trains to shorter routes around France. TER trains aren't high-speed and often stop more frequently, but if you don't mind station hopping, then these are a very convenient and very cost-effective way to get around the country.

TER trains are the most frequently run in France, with up to 7,500 services a day across the country! As well as regional routes, TER services are also important commuter trains into and departing most major French cities.

OUIGO

OUIGO is SNCF’s low-cost train service, allowing for intercity travel in France to suit any budget. OUIGO trains only have one class – Standard – and do not contain some of the creature comforts of their pricier TGV INOUI cousins. However, this means tickets are considerably cheaper for OUIGO services.

There are two types of OUIGO train: Grande Vitesse, or High Speed, and Classique (slower trains).

With a standard OUIGO ticket, your seat reservation is included and you can take 2 pieces of baggage. There are a variety of ‘extras’ you can add to your booking, including power outlet access, a bigger baggage allowance and the ability to bring a stroller on board.

While OUIGO services operate primarily in France, OUIGO Spain services also operate on key high-speed routes in Spain including Barcelona to Madrid. Find out more about OUIGO.

SNCF tickets

There are a number of different SNCF tickets you can buy when traveling around France by train. Depending on the flexibility of your travel time and date, you’ll be able to decide which type of ticket is best for you. Here, we’ll break down the main types of SNCF tickets, and explain how each works on different trains. 

Prem's

This SNCF ticket is available to those traveling on TGV and INTERCITÉS trains. The Prem's ticket is available up to three months before the date of travel. They’re often snapped up quickly so you’ll have to move fast to secure yours!

You can exchange a Prem’s ticket or get a refund up to 7 days before departure at no extra cost. After that, these tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable , so you must be able to travel on that particular train, or you’ll lose your money. If a Prem's ticket is available, we'll show it in our Journey Planner as Prem's.

Seconde (Second Class)

Seconde tickets are valid for Second Class travel on TGV and INTERCITÉS SNCF trains. Prices increase as the departure date approaches so be sure to book in advance to secure cheaper fares.

Second Class tickets are exchangeable and refundable, so they’re a flexible option if you think your travel times might change. You'll find Second Class tickets labeled STANDARD SECONDE in our Journey Planner.

Tarif Normal (Second Class)

On TER trains for regional travel in France, there are only Second Class tickets available as there is no First Class. These will show as Tarif Normal in our Journey Planner.

Première (First Class)

Première tickets are valid for First Class travel on TGV and INTERCITÉS trains. Prices increase as the date of departure approaches, so book in advance when possible.

Like Seconde tickets, First Class tickets are also exchangeable and refundable. When searching for First Class tickets in our Journey Planner, look for those labelled STANDARD PREMIÈRE.

Business Première

This fare is valid for travel in First Class only, as well as access to premium services such as access to the Grand Voyageur lounge in some larger stations, priority boarding, free drinks and newspapers and free WiFi on TGV INOUI trains. Unlike Second or First Class tickets, Business Première has a flat rate fare.

Business Première tickets are fully flexible, exchangeable and refundable. When booking with us, these tickets are labeled as BUSINESS PREMIÈRE in our Journey Planner. 

Seat reservations on SNCF trains

High-speed trains (TGV INOUI and OUIGO)

Tickets for high-speed services include a seat reservation by default. Your seat number will be listed on your ticket, which – if you book through Trainline – will be emailed to you (it’ll also live in the ‘My Bookings’ section of your account).

INTERCITÉS trains

For short-distance journeys there are no compulsory seat reservations, so you can just hop on and find a seat. However, on longer journeys, the ticket will include a seat reservation. We’ll sort it for you when you buy a ticket.

Local and regional trains

As is the case for most regional train services in Europe, there are no seat reservations required for most regional train services in France. This includes most TER services and all RER services (for suburban travel to/from Paris city center).

SNCF Railcards

Want to save on your SNCF ticket? Whether you’re traveling for work or leisure, we’ll help you find the most suitable SNCF Railcard for your train journeys. Keep reading for more details, including how you can buy your French Railcard online with us.

French Railcard and Pass types

There are different types of French Railcards and Passes offered by SNCF:

  • Carte Avantage Jeune TGV INOUI
  • Carte Avantage Adulte TGV INOUI
  • Carte Avantage Senior TGV INOUI
  • Carte Liberté TGV INOUI
  • MAX JEUNE Pass
  • PASS TGV INOUI
  • FORFAIT SNCF

Please note that the Carte Avantage Week-end and Carte Avantage Famille have been replaced by the Carte Avantage Adulte TGV INOUI.

SNCF Railcard prices

Type of RailcardPrice
Carte Avantage Jeune TGV INOUI€49*
Carte Avantage Senior TGV INOUI€49*
Carte Avantage Adulte TGV INOUI€49*
Carte Liberté TGV INOUI€349*
MAX JEUNE Pass€​79*

*Prices are subject to change

 

Get 30% off your tickets with SNCF Carte Avantage TGV INOUI

Carte Avantage TGV INOUI is SNCF's discount card that allows you to get up to 30% off your high-speed tickets. There are three different types of this discount card: Carte Avantage Jeune TGV INOUI (for anyone aged 12-27), Carte Avantage Adulte TGV INOUI (for anyone aged 27-59) and Carte Avantage Senior TGV INOUI (for anyone aged 60+).

Carte Avantage
Jeune TGV INOUI

1 year
€49*

For ages 12-27

For the Railcard holder and up to 3 children (4-11 years old)

Discounts
30% off TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS tickets and 25-50% off TER tickets

Capped prices
Max €49 for journeys shorter than 1 hour, 30 minutes
Max €69 for journeys between 1 hour, 30 minutes and 3 hours
Max €89 for journeys longer than 3 hours

Railcard in PDF format
You'll receive your Carte Avantage Jeune TGV INOUI as a PDF via email

Carte Avantage
Senior TGV INOUI

1 year
€49*

For ages 60+

For the Railcard holder and up to 3 children (4-11 years old)
The Railcard holder gets a 30% discount and children get 60% off TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS tickets. All travelers get 25-50% off TER tickets

Capped prices
Max €49 for journeys shorter than 1 hour, 30 minutes
Max €69 for journeys between 1 hour, 30 minutes and 3 hours
Max €89 for journeys longer than 3 hours

Railcard in PDF format
You'll receive your Carte Avantage Senior TGV INOUI as a PDF via email

Carte Avantage
Adulte TGV INOUI

1 year
€49*

For ages 27-59
Valid for one-way journeys if the cardholder is traveling with a child or on a Saturday or Sunday, or for return trips that include at least Friday, Saturday, or Sunday

For up to 2 adults and 3 children (4-11 years old)
Adults get a 30% discount and children get 60% off TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS tickets. All travelers get 25-50% off TER tickets

Capped prices
Max €49 for journeys shorter than 1 hour, 30 minutes
Max €69 for journeys between 1 hour, 30 minutes and 3 hours
Max €89 for journeys longer than 3 hours

Railcard in PDF format
You'll receive your Carte Avantage Adulte TGV INOUI as a PDF via email

SNCF Passes

If you’re a frequent traveler, you can save on your train tickets and get more flexibility with 4 different SNCF Passes: Carte Liberté TGV INOUI, the PASS TGV INOUI, the Forfait SNCF Pass, and the MAX JEUNE Pass. Read on for more information.

MAX JEUNE
Pass

1 month
€79*

For ages 16-27

For tickets made available by SNCF

Fixed price per month
Unlimited travel with TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS. Online booking required

PASS TGV INOUI
(First or Second Class)

Valid for 1 month/week for frequent journeys

Unlimited travel
TGV INOUI tickets for €0 if booked in advance

Pass in PDF format
You’ll receive your Forfait Pass as a PDF via email

FORFAIT SNCF
(First or Second Class)

Valid for 1 month/week for frequent journeys

Unlimited travel
INTERCITÉS tickets for €1.50 where reservations are mandatory, and free tickets for TER and INTERCITÉS trains without mandatory reservations

Pass in PDF format
You’ll receive your Forfait Pass as a PDF via email

Carte Liberté TGV INOUI

1 year
€349*

For frequent travelers on TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and some routes in Europe

For the cardholder and up to 3 children (4-11 years old)
The cardholder gets 45% off First Class and 60% off Second Class tickets, calculated on the Business Première rate
Children get 50% off the price paid by the cardholder

Railcard in PDF format
You’ll receive your Carte Liberté TGV INOUI as a PDF via email

How to buy a French Railcard online with us

1

Choose and register your SNCF Railcard

 

2

Enter your details

3

Sign in to your Trainline account

4

Confirm your purchase and get your Railcard as a PDF

SNCF stations

Discover more about the main stations that SNCF trains serve throughout France.

When do SNCF tickets go on sale?

Generally speaking, tickets for high-speed intercity services (such as TGV INOUI) go on sale around 3 months in advance. However, the date at which new tickets are released is at SNCF’s discretion, and you may find that the booking horizon is sometimes shorter than 3 months.

If you don’t see all the results you would expect to see for a journey search, you may be searching a bit too far in advance. The key is to be patient – give it a few weeks and you should find that those tickets will be available!

Keep up to date with SNCF’s biggest seat releases, including Christmas and winter, on our dedicated SNCF seat release page.

SNCF delays, cancellations and refunds

Find out more about compensation due to SNCF disruption on our help page, or keep reading for a summary.

Delays

TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains

If you have a ticket for a TGV INOUI or INTERCITÉS train and it is over 30 minutes late, you can apply for a partial refund. SNCF call this their ‘G30 Garantie Voyage’ or Travel Guarantee. The levels of compensation are tied to how late the service is:

 

Delay

Compensation

30 mins – 2 hours

25% of your ticket price

2 hours – 3 hours

50% of your ticket price

Over 3 hours

75% of your ticket price

 

You must apply via the form on SNCF’s website within 90 days of your journey. Luckily, our app will notify you automatically if you are entitled to compensation for a delayed train – all the more reason to download it if you don’t already have it!

TER

TER does not provide compensation for delayed trains.

OUIGO

On a OUIGO train, if you’re late to your destination by an hour or more, you may get compensation. OUIGO will contact you within 4 days of your journey to confirm.

OUIGO pay compensation in vouchers as follows:

Delay

Compensation

1 hour – 1 hour, 59 minutes

25% of your ticket price

2 hours or more

50% of your ticket price

Cancellations

What you’re entitled to in the case of a cancellation depends on the train you’ve booked.

TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS

If your TGV INOUI or INTERCITÉS train is canceled, you can exchange your ticket for free before the scheduled departure of your train. If you’d rather, you can claim a fee-free refund before or after your train’s original departure time. Find out more on our SNCF disruption page.

TER

Tickets for TER trains are usually valid all day, so there is no compensation or refund available for canceled trains. You can normally take the next train instead.

OUIGO

If your OUIGO train is cancelled, you’ll be able to get a voucher for the value of your ticket. You can exchange your ticket fee-free if you’d prefer. Look out for an email from OUIGO for more details.

Refunds

If you change your mind about traveling, most SNCF tickets are refundable before departure – however, the closer you are to the day of departure, the more likely you are to be charged an administration fee for the refund. You can view the full list of refund conditions on SNCF’s website; manage your booking and apply for refunds in the ‘My Bookings’ section of our website.

Good to know (FAQs)

Traveling with SNCF? Find out everything you need to know about baggage allowance, pets and other SNCF onboard facilities here.

Contact SNCF

If you need to contact SNCF, there are multiple ways to do so:

  • Online form: You can use SNCF’s online contact form (available in English).
  • Phone call: You can call +33 184 91 91 91, Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm CET (fees may apply).

If you have a question about an SNCF ticket you booked with Trainline, you can contact our Customer Service team.

*Indicative prices. 30% discount on TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS tickets, booked with SNCF Carte Avantage TGV INOUI. The 30% discount is applicable for the holder of the SNCF Card Avantage TGV INOUI, and a companion over 12 years old for holders of the Carte Avantage Adulte TGV INOUI aged 27-59. The discount is calculated on the PREM'S, Second and First Class fare and the full Second and First Class fares for TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains, excluding OUIGO, and on the normal fare for INTERCITÉS trains without compulsory reservation for journeys in France, and on the First or Second Class fare of the day for TGV INOUI trains to Luxembourg, Fribourg-en-Brisgau and on TGV INOUI and ICE trains operated by DB-SNCF; on the Seconda or Prima fare (2nd or 1st) of the day on TGV France-Italy; on the Standard or Standard Premier fare of TGV Lyria trains. Not combinable with any other current promotion and card renewal bonus.

Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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