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Thinking about taking the train from Douai to Valence TGV? We’ve got you covered.
It usually takes around 6 hours 46 minutes to travel the 382 miles (615 km) from Douai to Valence TGV by train, although you can get there in as little as 4 hours 21 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 19 trains per day running on this route. You’ll need to make 1 change along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You can travel on this route with either Eurostar, TGV or AVE. As the main train operators on this route, all offer comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
Train tickets from Douai to Valence TGV start from £66.95 when you book in advance, which can be cheaper than buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Keen to book your train tickets to Valence TGV? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.
TGV is the high-speed train service of the SNCF company. It connects the major cities of France at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h). All TGV trains are equipped with a food carriage, a free WiFi connection, power sockets and fold-down tables. Two comfort classes are offered – First Class and Second Class, with flexible fare options available and access to the Grand Voyageur lounge in some stations.
OUIGO is the low-cost brand of French rail company SNCF, who operate trains in France and Spain. In France, all seats on OUIGO are Second Class and tickets can only be purchased online. You can also pay for additional extras, such as reserving a seat in the ‘quiet area’, at-seat power sockets and extra luggage. OUIGO has been operating in Spain since May 2021, and their trains include an onboard bar and a premium class of service called OUIGO Plus.
Intercités is the classic service of SNCF. The Intercités lines are an important part of the French rail network. Trains make more stops and are cheaper than TGVs, and run at speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h). Two comfort classes are offered aboard Intercités – First Class and Second Class. Intercités by night allows you to travel at night on certain routes, in sleeper cars.
TER (Transport Express Régional) trains are the regional service from SNCF that allow you to make trips to nearby towns and villages located within the same region. With 20 regions in France, TER trains are ideal for travelling to destinations not covered by high-speed services, although ticket prices vary between each region. TER trains have dedicated spaces for bicycles and allow animals on board. Not all TER trains include a First Class carriage.
In Eurostar Standard, you'll find comfortable seats, free WiFi and a large selection of drinks and snacks for sale in the onboard café-bar.
As well as all the facilities you'll find in Eurostar Standard, in Eurostar Plus you'll also get a light meal served at your seat for trips to and from London. Though you won't get a meal at your seat for trips solely in Europe, you'll get to sit back and relax in comfier seats.
Eurostar Premier gives you the freedom to travel in your own time, with same-day boarding guaranteed and Eurostar's exclusive lounges (where available) where you can relax before your trip. In Eurostar Premier, you'll also benefit from complete comfort, including a free meal and free drinks at your seat.
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power sockets and more.
Want to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional perks.
In AVE's Estándar Class, you'll enjoy comfortable fuss-free travel. With luggage storage and air-conditioning throughout, there's access to their bar/restaurant carriage serving drinks and snacks and seats are usually in a row of 2 or 4 around a table. On board, you'll enjoy:
Onboard AVE's Confort Class, you’ll enjoy all the amenities of Estándar Class as well as extra perks, such as complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers and more. Don't forget to enjoy access to Renfe's Club Rooms before your trip to kick it off in style. On board, you'll enjoy:
OUIGO comes with only one class, Standard Class, which is the equivalent of TGV's Second Class. On board you'll find WiFi and a café-bar (on services in Spain). There may be a trolley service on Train Classique services in France. You can pay extra to guarantee a seat with a plug socket, as not all seats currently have one.
Although there's no weight limit for your luggage on Eurostar trains, you must be able to carry your bags safely by yourself.
Each bag must be clearly labelled and must be no longer than 85 cm (for trains to and from the United Kingdom) or no larger than 75 x 53 x 30 cm (for trains in Europe).
Are you travelling to or from the United Kingdom? In Eurostar Standard, choose from a wide selection of drinks and snacks at the Eurostar Café, the onboard café-bar in the middle of the train. Cards and cash (Euros or pounds) are accepted. If you're travelling in Eurostar Plus, a light meal and a drink will be served at your seat.
Travel in Eurostar Premier and you'll be treated to a gourmet meal, as well as a continuous drinks service throughout your journey.
For all other Eurostar trains (red trains, formerly Thalys), head to the bar car and choose from a wide range of hot and cold drinks as well as sweet and savoury snacks.
In Eurostar Premier on European routes, you'll get a free meal served directly to your seat.
Eurostar doesn't have an onboard entertainment portal. However, there is free WiFi available, as well as UK and EU plug sockets at your seat so you can charge your devices while travelling.
Children under 4 can travel free on Eurostar trains, as long as they're sitting on an accompanying adult's lap. Alternatively, buying a child ticket guarantees them their own seat.
You'll find changing tables on all Eurostar trains, as well as family-oriented seating (4 seats facing one another) where available.
Currently, only certain Eurostar trains running between London and Brussels can transport fully assembled bikes - contact Eurostar for more information. You can, however, take a foldable bike on board Eurostar trains to and from the UK provided that it's no more than 85 cm long and it fits in a protective bag that covers the whole bicycle. Folded bikes are treated as standard luggage.
For all other Eurostar trains in Europe, a limited number of non-foldable bikes can be brought on board, provided that the wheels are taken off and the whole bicycle is stored in a suitable cover (max. size 135 x 85 x 30 cm). Foldable bicycles are also allowed and count towards standard luggage limits.
The rules around travelling with your pets depend on whether you're travelling across the Channel or not, so check before you travel:
Eurostar trains to and from the United Kingdom:
Trains in the rest of Europe:
If you need help getting on or off the train, you should contact Eurostar directly before your trip. To use Eurostar's special assistance program, fill in the contact form at least 48 hours before your journey so that the team can help you.
If you're travelling to/from the United Kingdom:
If you're travelling on red trains in the rest of Europe:
Specific restrictions for trains to/from the United Kingdom:
Liquids:
Sports equipment:
On board TGV INOUI trains, you can take up to 2 pieces of luggage measuring no more than 70 x 90 x 50 cm, plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 15 cm. If you are bringing an XL baggage (maximum 90 x 130 cm), it will replace one of the two 70 x 90 x 50 cm pieces of luggage authorised.
All your luggage must be labelled before entering the train.
All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar carriage offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in carriage 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer to whet your appetite.
TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand luggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey.
Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a lead. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
With AVE, you can travel with up to 3 pieces of luggage that do not exceed 290 cm and 25 kg. In total, the maximum measurements of each piece of luggage are 85 x 55 x 35 cm. Musical instruments also count as hand luggage as long as they do not exceed the dimensions 30 x 120 x 38 cm and are stored in a case.
If you’d like to stretch your legs and grab a coffee during your journey, AVE trains have an onboard bar carriage serving drinks and snacks. If you’d prefer to stay in your seat, AVE staff sell food and drinks from a trolley that will pass through the train during the journey.
On AVE trains, you can take advantage of PlayRenfe – their free WiFi and entertainment service. Giving you access to exclusive content and fast connection speeds, PlayRenfe can be downloaded from the app store on your phone. Once you’re connected, you can access the PlayRenfe portal, where you’ll find exclusive live sport, news, films and TV series.
Children under 3 years old travel for free with AVE, as long as they do not occupy a seat and have their free child ticket. Children from 3 to 14 years old can take advantage of a 40% discount on ticket prices.
On all AVE trains, each passenger can take one bicycle or scooter on board, as long as it’s folded and carried inside a case. Also, the pedals must be removed and handlebars turned 90 degrees. Lastly, if the sum of the dimensions of the case is less than 180cm, it is considered as hand luggage. However, if it’s bigger, it will be considered as special luggage (max dimensions 120 x 90 x 40 cm).
With AVE, you can travel with a pet as long as it weighs no more than 10 kg and travels inside a cage or carrier (60 x 35 x 35 cm). Your pet must have their own pet ticket, unless you’re travelling with a Premium ticket, in which case the pet ticket is free. Guide and assistance dogs travel for free.
AVE offer a free assistance and care service for people with reduced mobility. To request the service, passengers should contact AVE directly.
One piece of hand luggage (36 x 27 x 15 cm) and one piece of cabin luggage (55 x 35 x 25 cm) can be taken onboard. You can take additional or larger bags with you (max. 30kg) for an extra fee or by paying for OUIGO Plus.
On OUIGO trains in France: an at-seat service of snacks is available on Train classique services. This service is not available on high-speed OUIGO trains.
On OUIGO trains in Spain: OUIBAR is located in coach 4 of each train and offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, plus snacks.
WiFi (OUIFI) and an entertainment portal (OUIFUN) are available at an additional cost.
For OUIGO trains in France: Passengers under 12 years old pay a fixed price for tickets all year round - €5 for journeys on Train classique services, and €8 for high speed services.
For OUIGO trains in Spain: Passengers under 12 pay €5 per ticket for all journeys.
You can take your bicycle on board OUIGO trains if you add the 'Bike' option onto your ticket for an additional fee of at least €5. Your bike must be folded or dismantled and placed in a storage bag for transport.
Pets are only allowed on board OUIGO trains if the 'Pets' option is added to your ticket at the time of booking. (1 pet per adult, per booking, €10 per pet.)
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Douai to Valence TGV by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.