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.
Travelling 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.
Find what you need
Your journey
Soak up the sunlight this winter
Pack your bags for an escape to the sunnier, south-er side of France.
Imagine you and endless bowls of consommé, served up on the shores of Nice, Toulon, Marseille, or Montpellier. Okay, stop drooling and focus.
Plan your trip with the best of the French…
Domestic:
🚆 TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS for all travel between 09/01 - 30/03, and select routes up until 04/07*
Cross border:
🚆 TGV INOUI ESPAÑA for travel between 31/03 - 04/07
🚆 TGV LYRIA for travel between 31/03 - 04/07
The earlier you book, the better.
(That consommé isn’t gonna consume itself!)
SNCF news
From seat releases to promos and flash sales, you’ll find all the latest SNCF news here!
French rail Christmas seats are now live
Time to start practising, “Joyeux Noël”.
Your holiday traditions are looking a little more… French!
Swap Christmas pud for bûche de Noël.
Send your wish-list to Père Noël, not Father Christmas.
Or even wait ‘til New Year’s Day to open your presents! (Okay, maybe not that one.)
Now you can book it all in and so much more with SNCF:
🎁 TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS travel between 15th Dec – 8th Jan (1)
🎁 OUIGO travel between 15th Dec – 4th Jul (2)
🎁 Cross-border travel between 15th Dec – 30th Mar (3)
Merry booking!
Terms and conditions
* SNCF Winter Seat Release Terms and Conditions
SNCF Christmas Seat Release 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 holiday.
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?
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 travellers: where to go next? If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration on where to explore in France, use 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.
- Enter your origin and destination stations.
- 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.
- Compare times and prices. You can also choose between different ticket classes.
- Select the tickets you’d like to purchase.
- Input your seating preferences (for high-speed trains, where seat reservations are included with your ticket).
- Provide your name(s), date of birth and contact details.
- Pay for your tickets (multiple payment options available).
- You’ll receive email confirmation of your purchase.
- 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 bargain, 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 travelling 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 an Interrail Pass?
Guess what? You can use an Interrail Pass on most SNCF trains! Just a few extra steps...
Regional TER trains
If you have an Interrail 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 Interrail Pass before you board the train so that your Pass is valid.
Note: Interrail 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 Interrail 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 Interrail reservation system, through the SNCF call centre (+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 non-reservable TER trains.
Note: Interrail Passes are not valid on high-speed OUIGO trains in France.
INTERCITÉS trains
Interrail 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 Interrail 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 Interrail reservation system, through the SNCF call centre (+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 First Class
First Class available on TGV and INTERCITÉS trains
Depending on the train you take and the ticket you buy, travelling in First Class on SNCF can include the following advantages as well as all the commodities found in Second Class:
- More spacious, comfortable seats
- Solo seats, duo seats or private berths (on night trains)
- A plug socket for every passenger
- Quiet areas on the train
Even more advantages with Business Première tickets
- Access to Grand Voyageur lounges in certain stations
- No-fuss boarding with priority access
There is no First Class on TER or OUIGO trains.
SNCF Second Class
Second Class is available on all trains in France
SNCF Second Class (or Standard Class) varies depending on which train you take (TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS, OUIGO or TER). In general, in Second Class carriages you can expect to find:
- Folding tables
- Shared access to plug sockets
- Seats arranged in pairs or sets of four
- WiFi on board (TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains only)
- Luggage storage space
SNCF trains
When travelling with SNCF, you'll be on either a TGV INOUI, TER, OUIGO or INTERCITÉS 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.
TGV INOUI trains are extremely popular due to their double-decker style carriages, 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 luggage storage and toilets, so depending on your budget, there are two options for you to choose from. When travelling in First Class expect to find excellent comfort and amenities such as plug sockets, 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 travelling onboard, many different facilities cater to all different travellers. 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 travelling 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 travelling over long distances.
TER
If you are travelling within a region of France and want to move about effortlessly and quickly, then you may find yourself on a TER train. SNCF TER trains serve 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 luggage. There are a variety of ‘extras’ you can add to your booking, including plug socket access, a bigger luggage allowance and the ability to bring a pushchair 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 several different SNCF tickets you can buy when travelling around France by train. Depending on how flexible your travel plans are, you can pick 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 travelling 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 labelled 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.
Learn more about SNCF First Class.
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 labelled 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 centre).
SNCF Railcards
Want to save on your SNCF ticket? Whether you’re travelling 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
- Forfait 1ère Pass
- Forfait 2nde Pass
Please note that the Carte Avantage Week-end and Carte Avantage Famille have been replaced by the Carte Avantage Adulte TGV INOUI.
Did you know? On average, the Carte Avantage pays for itself after the 3rd trip! **
** Number of journeys required to achieve a saving equivalent to the cost of purchasing a Carte Avantage TGV INOUI (Youth, Adult or Senior) of 49€, calculated based on the difference between the price paid by Trainline customers with vs. without a Carte Avantage TGV INOUI on the identified route or on average for the 25 most booked French routes on Trainline between 1 April 2024 and 30 September 2024.
SNCF Railcard prices
| Type of Railcard | Price |
| Carte Avantage Jeune TGV INOUI | €49* |
| Carte Avantage Senior TGV INOUI | €49* |
| Carte Avantage Adulte TGV INOUI | €49* |
| Carte Liberté TGV INOUI | €399* |
| 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 train 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
€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
€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 travellers 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
€49*
For ages 27-59
Valid for one-way journeys if the cardholder is travelling 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 travellers 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 traveller, you can save on your train tickets and get more flexibility with 3 different SNCF Passes: Carte Liberté TGV INOUI, the Forfait Pass, and the MAX JEUNE Pass. Read on for more information.
MAX JEUNE
Pass
€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
Forfait Pass
for First Class travel
Valid for 1 month/week for frequent journeys in First Class
Unlimited travel
TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and TER tickets at a maximum of €1.50 if booked in advance
Pass in PDF format
You’ll receive your Forfait Pass as a PDF via email
Forfait Pass
for Second Class travel
Valid for 1 month/week for frequent journeys in Second Class
Unlimited travel
TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and TER tickets at a maximum of €1.50 if booked in advance
Pass in PDF format
You’ll receive your Forfait Pass as a PDF via email
Carte Liberté TGV INOUI
€399*
For frequent travellers 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 cancelled, 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 cancelled 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 travelling, 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)
Travelling with SNCF? Find out everything you need to know about luggage allowance, pets and other SNCF onboard facilities here
How early can I buy an SNCF ticket?
Can I travel on SNCF with my Eurail pass?
Who owns SNCF?
Can I take my bike on SNCF trains?
Does SNCF operate overnight trains?
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.