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Trains • France

Intercités

Intercités is SNCF's brand of long-distance trains connecting medium-sized cities not served by high-speed rail. The network has 15 day lines and 8 night lines departing from Paris-Austerlitz, serving more than 140 destinations.

France

Intercités, the comfortable alternative to TGV

Intercités is the territorial-balance brand of France: instead of focusing on major cities, it serves medium-sized towns and rural areas at a more moderate price than the TGV. Across 15 day lines, Intercités runs about 330 daily services. The rolling stock combines refurbished Corail coaches (2nd-class comfort), Régiolis multiple-unit trainsets and, since 2022, brand-new Oxygène trainsets on the structuring Paris-Clermont-Ferrand and Paris-Limoges-Toulouse lines.

Night trains: Paris-Austerlitz to 8 destinations

Night Intercités services all leave Paris-Austerlitz and serve: Toulouse (via Orléans, Vierzon and Cahors), Nice (via Marseille-Blancarde, Toulon, Saint-Raphaël, Cannes and Antibes), Tarbes-Lourdes (reopened on 12 December 2021, via Les Aubrais), Briançon (via the Durance valley), Cerbère-Port-Bou (via Perpignan), Latour-de-Carol (via the Cerdagne line), Rodez-Albi (via Brive-la-Gaillarde) and Aurillac (opened on 10 December 2023, via Limoges). Coaches offer reclining seats (seated places), 4-berth couchettes (Confort 1) and 6-berth couchettes (Confort 2). Couchettes include a travel kit and an early-morning snack.

Fares and onboard services

Intercités tickets are dynamically priced: the "100% éco" offer starts at €15 for short distances, couchettes from €25. The Avantage card (-30%) also applies to Intercités. Day trains offer 1st- and 2nd-class coaches, trolley service on certain lines, power sockets at every seat and Wi-Fi on the new Oxygène trainsets. The bike space (4 to 8 spots) is free on Intercités outside peak days (reservation recommended).

Travel guides

Intercités

  • Paris
  • Toulouse
  • Nice
  • Tarbes
  • Lourdes
  • Marseille
  • Briançon
  • Cerbère
  • Latour-de-Carol
  • Aurillac
  • Rodez
  • Albi
  • Clermont-Ferrand
  • Limoges
  • Cherbourg

Most frequent questions about Gopaxo

Where do I buy a night Intercités ticket?

Tickets are sold on SNCF Connect, at the station, on self-service kiosks and on Gopaxo, which compares the best available SNCF offers in real time.

Are Intercités sleeper compartments mixed-gender?

By default, Confort 1 (4 berths) and Confort 2 (6 berths) coaches are mixed. Via SNCF Connect you can book a whole compartment for a group or family (4 or 6 berths to be paid in full).

Can I bring a bike on an Intercités?

Yes — day Intercités offer a free bike space (reservation mandatory in peak season). Night Intercités do not accept full-size bikes; folding and dismantled bikes in a cover (under 120 cm) travel free as hand luggage.

What's the difference between Intercités and TER?

Intercités serves long-distance routes without high-speed lines (Paris-Clermont, Paris-Limoges-Toulouse, Bordeaux-Marseille, Nantes-Lyon, night services). TER covers everyday regional trips, with many stops and regionally managed. A TER rarely exceeds 200 km/h and is generally cheaper.

Are Intercités tickets exchangeable?

Standard Intercités tickets can be exchanged and refunded up to 6 days before departure (free), then with a €15 fee. "100% éco" tickets and certain promos follow stricter rules — check the conditions at purchase.

Carriers

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