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Seasoned Stubborn Travel readers may find another ode to train travel excessive, so I’ll keep it short: I love a train journey.
There’s something contemplative about taking in landscapes from a train window and covering miles on the ground rather than soaring over them. Watching urban centres transform into fields, mountains and vineyards. Thinking of time and adventurers gone by, from Agatha Christie plotting mysteries to Freya Stark planning her next expedition.
Europe is full of great train journeys, but France has made the case for trains official. As part of the country’s ambitions to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, France banned short-haul flights when reasonable train journeys under 2.5 hours are available. It’s a bold statement: the train isn’t just romantic or scenic – it’s an important, responsible choice.
When I started taking French trains, I became something of a convert. They’re affordable, dependable, well-connected, and comfortable. I’ve zipped around France on everything from the budget OUIGO to the high-speed TGVs, and I’m here to tell you: French trains are wonderful.
I’ve touched on some of my French train adventures when I travelled from London to Barcelona by train, but the French rail system deserves its own moment in the spotlight. There’s a surprising variety of train types, and knowing the difference can save you time and money, while making it easier to read the train boards.
I’ve outlined the main categories of French trains below (some overlap), alongside an example journey for each. At the bottom, you’ll find Frequently Asked Questions and booking tips. Without further ado, let’s dive into the trains that run on France’s vast network. On y va!
SNCF: Your first port of call
Nearly all the trains in this guide are operated by SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français), France’s national rail company. You can think of it as France’s equivalent to Amtrak or National Rail, but it’s more reliable. With over 30,000 km of track and stations in practically every corner of the country, SNCF makes it remarkably easy to travel car- and flight-free.
SNCF runs everything from high-speed trains to regional services and budget options. All are bookable through their app or website, although it can be a little confusing at first (see the booking tips at the bottom). But first, let’s break down the different train types you’ll encounter.
Types of French Trains
1. TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse)
Any time you see “TGV” in a train name, you’re getting the fast option. TGV stands for Train à Grande Vitesse, which means train at high-speed in French. These iconic machines are comfortable, reliable and can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h. It makes plenty of journeys faster by train than car. Paris to Lyon is two hours rather than five, while Paris to Marseille is just over three instead of seven to eight.
Two main services run domestic TGV train in France: budget-friendly OUIGO and premium inOUI. Both are covered in the next sections.
💡 Tip: TGV trains are usually the fastest way to move around popular hubs or tourist destinations. Reservations are required, and you’ll have to book early for the best fares, especially if you’re taking a popular route between two big cities (example below).
Example journey: Paris to Lyon, ~500km
- By car: 5 hours
- By TGV: 2 hours
- Cost: Starts around €10 and can go up to €100 and beyond. Range reflects train booked and when. This is a popular route, so advance bookings are recommended.
2. TER (Transport Express Régional)
If the TGV is champagne, the TER is a good table wine. It’s unpretentious, sturdy, and connects smaller towns and rural areas. TER trains are ideal for exploring places like the Loire Valley, the Dordogne, and places off the beaten path which can’t be reached by TGV.
TER trains are more basic. They won’t win any prizes for speed, but they’re also more affordable and flexible. Reservations aren’t required, so you can also be a bit more spontaneous.
💡 Tip: If you plan to visit multiple regions, it may pay to get a rail card like the Carte Avantage (€50 through SNCF, look out for offers), which reduces train fares. The rail card can’t be used on all French train journeys, so make sure it makes sense for your trip before you purchase.
Example journey: Bordeaux to Arcachon, ~65km
- By car: 1 hour 10
- By TER: 50 minutes
- Cost: €5-€15
3. OUIGO (TGV, Classique)
For budget-conscious travellers, OUIGO is kind of like the EasyJet of SNCF, France’s national rail company. The name is a playful pun, since OUI means ‘yes’ in French, but it’s pronounced ‘we’. In other words, it’s kind of like saying ‘Yes, go’ or ‘We go’.
OUIGO offers routes to major cities with a relatively no-frill service. You’ll have a smaller luggage allowance, only one travel class, and fewer onboard amenities. There are two types of OUIGO trains: OUIGO Classique (blue logo) and OUIGO TGV (high speed, pink logo). OUIGO TGV are faster, while OUIGO Classique are slower and usually more economic.
When I took an OUIGO TGV (high-speed) train from Amboise to St. Pierre-des-Corps, it was perfectly clean and comfortable. I paid an extra €3 for WiFi for the two-hour trip, and worked throughout the journey without any problems.
💡 Tip: if you’re searching for trains and are only getting really expensive options, it could be because you’re not searching for a route that OUIGO covers (or a popular route that needs to be booked in advance). SNCF has route maps for both OUIGO TGV and OUIGO Classique, which may come in helpful when you’re planning your journey.
Searching using the OUIGO pages will also make it easier to use the low fare finders. Below is an example route page from Paris to Brest.
Example journey: Paris to Brest, ~600km
- By car: 6 hours
- By OUIGO TGV: 3 hours 55
- Cost: Prices start around €19, and can reach €100
This route is also covered by TGV inOui (more on that below), a more expensive service. It’s an example where understanding the different types of French trains will play in your favour: searching via SNCF you may not immediately see the OUIGO fares since inOui trains are more frequent for this route. Using the OUIGO search pages will ensure you see the lower-cost options as well.
4. TGV inOUI
While OUIGO TGV is the low-cost, high-speed train, TGV inOUI is the premium high-speed train. They add that little je ne sais quoi – upgraded WiFi, spacious seating, better onboard services. Like standard TGV trains, inOUI requires reservations and early booking for good fares.
The routes are largely the same, but TGV inOUI offers a more comfortable experience. For comparison with OUIGO TGV, I’ve used the same route as above. As you can see, while Paris to Brest (approximately a 4-hour journey) starts around €20 with OUIGO TGV, and €40 with inOUI.
Example journey: Paris to Brest, ~600km
- By car: 6 hours
- By TGV inOUI: 3.5-4 hours
- Cost: Prices start around €39, and can reach €100
5. Intercité
Finally, there’s the Intercité. These trains are similar to TER in that they’re sort of mid-range and serve less-frequented routes, but Intercité trains tend to cover longer journeys.
A good example is Marseille to Bordeaux. Both are major cities, but there’s no direct TGV between them. Taking the 6-hour Intercité between the two is the only direct train route, but it allows passengers to stop off at charming towns along the way. Comfortable but slower-paced like the TERs, these trains are useful for travellers who want to explore less-touristy regions of France.
Example journey: Marseille to Bordeaux, ~600km
- By car: 6 hours 10
- By Intercité: 6 hours 10
- Cost: Prices start around €20, and can reach €90
Other trains worth knowing
Although not the focus of this piece, there are a few more trains which might cross your path in France.
RER (Réseau Express Régional): Paris’s suburban rail network, which is a hybrid of metro and commuter train. Useful for getting to airports and outer arrondissements.
Métro: Various French cities have metro systems, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, and Toulouse.
International trains: The Eurostar (partnered with Thalys) connects Paris to London, Brussels, and Amsterdam. ICE (Intercity Express) trains run to Germany. TGV Lyria goes to Switzerland. All excellent options for expanding your rail adventures beyond France.
Tips for taking French trains
Ready to explore la belle France by rail? Here are some tips for booking your French trains.
Shop around
SNCF, Trainline, Omio and Rail Europe can all be used to book French trains. SNCF Connect usually has the best fares, but sometimes the others have better search functions or in-app discounts. OUIGO also has its own site.
You may prefer to use one website or app over the over, but keep in mind that if anything goes wrong with your trains, you’ll have an easier time getting refunded if booked direct
Download the SNCF app
French trains are usually booked via SNCF, France’s national rail company. Now the SNCF website is great once you learn how to use it, but it’s not exactly intuitive. First, you have to go the right website, which is SNCF connect, not SNCF. The ticket tab won’t take you to a place where you can book – instead, you have to use the search bar on the home page to pull up the booking search. Pop in your destination, then swap it around because it will be automatically be set to your starting point, and then put in where you’re actually starting from.
It’s fine once you get the hang of it, but the SNCF app is much easier to use, and stores your tickets easily as well. Make sure you have WiFi or data to show them during any checks.
Book trains early
TGV and Intercité trains can be booked with up to 4 months notice – not more. The earlier you book, the better your fare will be, especially for popular routes stopping at big hubs. TER trains tickets go on sale 3-5 months in advance, depending on the route.
Check the location of the train station(s)
Not all trains go from a city’s most central train station. The bigger the city, the more likely it is to have multiple train stations. Make sure you search for the train station by the name to avoid a situation where you book or go to the wrong one.
This is doubly true if you’re planning to stay near the station for an early or late train. Train stations are not always in the best parts of town, so it pays to be a little cautious. Paris’ Gare du Nord and Bordeaux’s Bordeaux Saint-Jean are two examples where you’ll want to keep your wits about you if you’re in the area at night, for example.
Bon voyage
I have been so impressed by French trains in the past few years, and really look forward to taking more in the future. If you haven’t taken them before, French trains are on the whole comfortable, scenic, eco-friendly, and affordable, especially when booked in advance. Whether you’re a fan of city breaks or countryside escapes, pack a baguette, book a window seat, and get ready to experience this beautiful country by rail.
If you’ve made it down here, I’d love to know:
- Have you taken French trains before? How did you find them?
- What’s your favourite route on a French train?
- Is there anything else you’d like to know?
If there’s anything helpful I’ve missed, please let me know that too. I can always edit and add a few things in, or take it on board for the next write up.
Happy travels,
Jules
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to book French trains in advance?
It depends on the train. TGV and Intercités trains require reservations, and booking early gets you significantly better fares (prices can jump from €10 to €100+ as departure approaches). TER regional trains don’t require reservations and have fixed pricing, so you can buy them on the day without penalty.
How much luggage can you take on French trains?
As of September 2024, SNCF introduced formal luggage limits on TGV inOUI and Intercités trains: two large bags (max 70 × 90 × 50 cm each) plus one small item like a backpack (max 40 × 30 × 15 cm). Exceeding this can result in a fine. OUIGO trains are stricter – you get one cabin bag and one small handbag with a standard ticket, and pay extra for larger luggage. TER trains are more relaxed: if you can carry it yourself, you can bring it. In theory, all luggage on French trains should be labelled with your name.
Do French trains have WiFi?
TGV inOUI trains offer free WiFi, though quality can vary depending on the route and how many people are connected. I’ve used OUIGO WiFi (which cost an extra €3 in 2022) for WiFi access and found it reliable enough. TER regional trains generally don’t have WiFi.
Can you eat and drink on French trains?
Yes. You’re welcome to bring your own food and drink on board, including wine and beer, as long as you’re respectful. TGV inOUI trains also have a café-bar car selling drinks, snacks, and hot meals. OUIGO trains don’t have catering services, so pack provisions if you’re hungry. Avoid anything too pungent for etiquette.
Are French trains reliable?
In my experience, French trains are considerably more reliable than UK trains. TGVs in particular tend to run on time, and delays are usually communicated through the SNCF app. That said, France is no stranger to strikes (grèves), which can disrupt services. It’s worth downloading the SNCF app to get real-time updates, especially if you’re travelling during strikes or public holidays.
How early should you arrive for a French train?
Unlike airports, you don’t need to arrive hours early. For TGV trains, I aim to be at the station about 20-30 minutes before departure, but this depends on how well I know the train station. I’ve found some quite difficult to navigate (ahem, Gare Montparnasse in Paris). For TER trains, 10–15 minutes is plenty. Larger stations like Paris Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon can be busy, so factor in extra time if you’re unfamiliar with the layout.
Is first class worth it on French trains?
For short journeys, probably not. For longer trips (3+ hours), first class can offer wider seats, quieter carriages, and sometimes at-seat service. Whether it’s worth the premium depends on the price difference, which varies wildly. I’ve seen first class tickets only €10–15 more than second class when booked early, which feels like good value. Check both options when booking and decide based on the gap.
What happens if there’s a train strike in France?
French train strikes (grèves) are a fact of life, though they usually announce them in advance. If your train is cancelled due to a strike, SNCF will let you exchange or refund your ticket. The SNCF app sends notifications about disruptions, and you can also check their website for service updates. If you’re booking through a third party like Trainline, getting refunds can be more complicated (I’m still chasing a refund from a cancelled Belgian train months ago), which is why I recommend booking directly with SNCF when possible.
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