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The train from Paris to Groningen usually takes 7 hours 18 minutes on average to travel 567 km, although the quickest services can take as little as 5 hours 57 minutes. You can expect to find 14 trains per day running on this popular route. As there aren't any direct services running between Paris and Groningen, you'll need to make 2 changes on your way to Groningen. You can choose to travel with TGV, Thalys or ICE to get to Groningen. As the main rail operators on this route, their trains offer modern comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
To help you get the best train deals, we'll highlight the cheapest train ticket prices from Paris to Groningen in our Journey Planner. Just remember, the sooner you book your tickets, the more you'll save, as advance tickets start from $62.28.
Keep reading for more information about the train journey to Groningen, including FAQs, timetables with first and last train times and tips on booking cheap train tickets. If you're ready to book, just start a search for tickets with us today.
It takes an average of 7h 18m to travel from Paris to Groningen by train, over a distance of around 352 miles (567 km). There are normally 14 trains per day traveling from Paris to Groningen and tickets for this journey start from $62.28 when you book in advance.
First train | 06:13 | |
---|---|---|
Last train | 21:25 | |
Departure station | Paris | |
Arrival station | Groningen | |
Journey time | From 5h 57m | |
Distance | 352 miles (567 km) | |
Frequency | 14 trains per day | |
Changes | 2 changes | |
Price | From $62.28 | |
Train and bus operators | SNCB, BlaBlaCar Bus, SNCF, Thalys, Flixbus, NS, Deutsche Bahn, WestfalenBahn, OUIGO, ÖBB |
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, high-speed train service operated by the French national train company SNCF. Despite having only one class on board, OUIGO trains offer the same comfort as Second Class seats on TGV trains, although OUIGO tickets are only available to purchase online. To make your journey as smooth as possible, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure and bear in mind that there's an additional fee for bringing a suitcase with you, having a seat with power sockets and travelling with a stroller/buggy.
SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).
Thalys is the railway company connecting four European countries – France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Thalys trains run at a speed of up to 186 mph (300 km/h) and have three comfort classes on all services called – Standard, Comfort and Premium (equivalent to the First Class, with access to the Thalys Lounge). All Thalys trains have a car restaurant (called Thalys Welcome Bar) and a free WiFi connection.
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power outlets and more.
Prefer to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional extras.
Standard is the perfect class for you if you’re after great value with no hidden extra costs. On board, you’ll find free WiFi, power outlets, a generous luggage allowance and snacks and drinks available from the Thalys Welcome Bar.
If you’d like to enjoy all of the amenities of Standard Class, as well as wider, more comfortable seating and a welcome from Thalys staff on the platform, then upgrade to Comfort!
Want to treat yourself? Upgrade to Premium and you’ll enjoy complimentary food and drinks, as well as access to the NS International Lounge at Amsterdam Centraal station.
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 power outlet, as not all seats currently have one.
If you're traveling in ICE's Second Class, you'll get to enjoy free WiFi and a bistrò carriage where you can buy snacks and drinks.
In addition to all the perks available in Second Class, you'll get more legroom, an in-seat meal service, Fast Track in some stations and free access to DB lounges.
On TGV INOUI services, there's no weight limit for your baggage - you can travel your way! However, remember that your suitcases, overnight bags and backpacks can't be larger than 130 x 90 cm, and you must be able to carry them and store them in the dedicated baggage racks on board by yourself. All baggage must be labelled before being stored.
All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar car offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in car 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer.
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 baggage, 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 leash. 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).
There are baggage racks near the entrance doors, or in the spaces between the seat backs, or on the rack above your seat.
Although there’s no weight limit for your luggage, you should be able to carry your bags safely.
Their baggage policy includes 2 items of baggage/suitcases with max size of 75 x 53 x 30cm (29.5 x 20.8 x 11.8 inches) and 1 carry-on item.
You may also bring special items of baggage on board like musical instruments. However, they must be under 2 meters (78 inches) long.
Food in Standard and Comfort Class
You can visit the Thalys Welcome Bar – you’ll get to choose from a wide range of hot and cold drinks and sweet and savory snacks.
You can also pre-order food and drinks on your smartphone, tablet or laptop and collect from the Welcome Bar.
Food in Premium Class
You’ll enjoy a complimentary meal, which will be served straight to your seat.
Thalys' menu is designed by Belgian chef, Frank Fol. Meals are served for any international journey over 50 minutes.
Once you’ve found your seat and made yourself comfortable, you can connect to the complimentary WiFi and chat to your friends, catch up on work or watch your favorite TV show. To make sure your devices don’t lose power, connect to the power sockets at your seat.
Thalys make it easy to take your little ones on a train journey. Kids under 4 can travel free of charge and without a ticket, provided they sit on your lap. Kids between 4 and 12 can get discounted ticket prices.
In cars 7, 17 and 27 on Thalys trains you’ll also find baby-changing facilities, a sink, and a bottle warmer.
Strollers are allowed on board free of charge, but should be folded before boarding and stored in the baggage racks in the carriage you’re sitting in.
Thalys accept a small number of non-folding bikes on board, however both wheels must be removed and the whole bike must be covered in a non-rigid container with a maximum size of 135 x 85 x 30cm (53.1 x 33.4 x 11.8 inches). Folding bikes are treated as standard luggage with a max size of 75 x 53 x 30cm (29.5 x 20.8 x 11.8 inches).
Small dogs and other domestic animals that weigh less than 6kg (2.3 lb) can travel free of charge on Thalys trains. They must travel in a cage or container though, with max dimensions of 45 x 30 x 25 cm (17.7 x 11.8 x 9.8 inches).
If your dog is bigger than this, you’ll need to purchase a specific dog ticket (usually at a fixed price of €30) and the dog must travel on your lap, or on the floor, on a lead and muzzled.
Guide and assistance dogs of any size are also allowed free of charge.
If you need help with boarding or disembarking, you should contact Thalys directly before your trip. Wheelchairs can be transported as long as they do not exceed:
One piece of hand baggage (36 x 27 x 15 cm) and one piece of cabin baggage (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 car 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 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).
You can take as much baggage as you like for free without making a reservation.
Baggage items include briefcases, laptops, rucksacks, trolley bags or suitcases. You can also take pushchairs, folding bikes, scooters, skis and surfboards.
Baggage should be stored under the seat or in the overhead baggage rack. The standard dimensions of baggage racks are 70 x 50 x 30 cm (27.5 x 19.6 x 11.8 inches). Larger items of baggage such as suitcases can be stored in the large baggage racks by the doors.
When traveling with ICE, you can enjoy an extensive menu in the on-board restaurant, or you can grab a snack from the bistro carriage. If you choose the latter, you can enjoy your food and drink in the bistro or take it back to your seat.
Upgrade to First Class and you will be served complimentary food and drink at your seat.
DB change their menu every three months, but you will always find a wide variety of locally sourced food and drink, including a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
If you’re traveling on an ICE train, you can connect to the free WiFi and catch up on some work or your favorite TV show.
You can also connect to the ICE portal, where you’ll find a wide range of entertainment, such as films, television, audiobooks, games, newspapers and magazines.
On DB’s ICE trains, kids under 5 years old travel for free and don’t need a ticket. Children up to 14 years old travel for free if they are accompanied by a person who is at least 15 years old.
You can also book family areas and children compartments on all ICE trains.
With ICE, you need a bicycle ticket and reservation to take a bicycle onboard. The reservation for your bike is included in the price.
Generally, bike storage spaces are located in second class carriages. Please note that your seat and bike storage space might be located in different carriages.
You can travel with your pet on all ICE trains. You do not need an extra ticket If you have a small dog and they can travel in a transport box. If your dog or pet is bigger than the size of a house cat, you will need an additional ticket, which costs 50% less than a standard ticket. Dogs not traveling in a transport box must be on a lead and wear a muzzle.
Assistance dogs travel free of charge and do not have to wear a muzzle on the train.
DB’s Mobility Service can assist you with boarding, disembarking or changing trains. Also, staff are happy to answer any questions or assist with any queries to make your journey easier.
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 Paris to Groningen 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.
The average journey time by train between Paris and Groningen is 7 hours and 18 minutes, with around 14 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
The fastest journey time by train from Paris to Groningen is 5 hours and 57 minutes.
Train tickets from Paris to Groningen can start from as little as $62.28 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.
No, there are no direct train services from Paris to Groningen. Travelling from Paris to Groningen by train will require a minimum of 2 changes.
The first train from Paris to Groningen leaves at 06:13. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
The last train from Paris to Groningen leaves at 21:25. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
Trains travelling from Paris to Groningen cover a distance of around 352 miles (567 km) during the journey.