France by Train
Find out about travelling on France's rail transport network including domestic and international trains, including SNCF and TGV services, and local trams and metro systems...
The
train network in France is excellent and as a result, is one of the most
popular means of transport across France. All trains are run by the national
train operator, SNCF. Tickets can be
purchased online, via the OUI App, or at any train
station. Ticket fares vary according to the comfort of the train, either first,
second class or business premiere, and the time and date of departure.
SNCF
also offer reward programmes for frequent
travellers. See more in the Tips and Points section
Local
and regional train services have a fixed price fare ‘tafiff normal’ and they
are valid for one journey leaving on any train until midnight. Tickets need to
be validated (compostez votre billet) in
the yellow machines situated at the entrance to each platform Tickets printed
at home do not need to be validated.
The
SNCF OUI App is a useful tool. As well as being able to
book, download or exchange train tickets, users can access information on over
5,400 stations in France and 150 stations in Europe.
The TGV - Train de Grande Vitesse - is a high speed
train which travels at speeds of 300 Km per hour. It has revolutionised French
rail travel, enabling people to get to Paris from Bordeaux, for example, in
three hours. Tickets must be reserved in advance. Booking a TGV ticket in advance is
usually more economical than buying a ticket the day of travel.
Tickets
for all trains must be validated before travelling. This can be done by placing
the ticket in a punching machine at the entrance to the platform (compostez votre billet) However,
passengers that have printed out their tickets from the Internet can present
these to inspectors when they pass.
For more
information see the SNCF website (In French,
English and German)
Eurostar is a train which travels between England,
France and Belgium. Destinations include Paris, Disneyland, Brussels, Lille,
Avignon and Lyon. OUIGO is a low cost train
service running between Paris and the south of France.
Getting around for people with
disabilities
Discounts and
special conditions are available for mobility, sight and hearing disabled
people
SNCF has more information on accessibility
for passengers with reduced mobility (in French)
Unaccompanied Children
There is a service for children
travelling unaccompanied,
·
For information on the Junior & Cie visit SNCF (in
French)
Travelling with pets
Dogs and cats may be taken on the
trains, but there is a fee and certain conditions must be met. The fee depends
on the size of the pet, and once aboard, a fellow passenger may request it be
moved. Guide dogs travel free of charge.
For information on travelling with pets
visit SNCF
Some tips and points
There
are many offers to take advantage of when using the train.
There
are four yearly advantage cards for TGV INOUI and Intercites services. Prices
start from €49 and users can benefit from discounts on travel, on board
purchases and 60% off fares for accompanying children.
Children
up to four years old travel for free on TGV in OUI, TER and Intercites.
Advantage Card Offers
The
Youth Advantage Card enables 12-27 year
olds to a 30% reduction on fares with TGV inOUI, Intercites and some TER
services.
The Weekend Advantage card is aimed at frequent
weekend travellers aged 27-59. It entitles the user and one accompanying person
to a 30% reduction on fares with TGV INOUI and Intercites services.
The
Senior Advantage Card is for over 60’s and
offers a a 30% reduction on fares with TGV inOUI and Intercites services. There
is also 60% off fares for up to 3 accompanying children.
The
Family Advantage Card for 27-59 year olds. This entitles
the user to a 30% reduction on trips and 60% off for up to 3 accompanying
children between 4-11 years old.
Other
offers in place include the Liberty Card, the Package Subscription and TGVmax Subscription.
Useful Train Numbers
Useful
Numbers |
|
SNCF all services Calling from outside
France |
Tel: 3635 Tel: 08 92 35 35 35 Website |
Travel
information from SNCF in French (includes information on delays, strikes,
rail works) |
Tel: 36 35 |
TGV -
High speed train |
|
Eurostar
Channel train (in English) |
Tel: 08 92 35 35 39 Website |
Metro
There
is a metro (underground) system in Paris, Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Toulouse and
Rennes. The metro runs between 05:30 and 00:40 Sunday to Thursday and 05:30 and
01:40 on Friday and Saturday. Metros run between every two and eight minutes
depending on the time of the day. Tickets can be bought at the station,
from metro personnel or automatic ticket machines. A pass is advisable for
people who make multiple journeys. In Paris there is the RER (Regional Express
Train) as well as the metro. The RER crosses Paris, linking the suburbs from
every corner. There are five RER lines, some of which run underground, and
others which are over ground. The service runs daily from 04.45 to 01.30.
For
information on Metro services visit RATP
The RATP App offers a guide to Metro travel in Paris and the
Ile De France region
For
more information on transport in the main cities, see the following websites:
Tram
There are tramways in
the many towns and cities across France including in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon,
Nancy, Nice, Orleans, Rouen and Strasbourg. Services run between approximately
05:00 and midnight. Each station has a covered shelter where the timetables are
shown. There is also usually an automatic ticket machine, tickets must be
validated once on board.
The Trams in France website has information about cities with
tram services