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Trains • France

SNCF

France's leading railway company, SNCF operates the entire national network: TGV INOUI, OUIGO, Intercités, TER, Transilien and its international subsidiaries. With nearly 30,000 trains a day, it covers more than 140 high-speed cities and 3,000 stations.

France, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Spain, Monaco, and Netherlands and 2 others

Who is SNCF?

Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF) is the public company that has operated the national rail network since its creation on 1 January 1938. Reorganised since 2020 as a public limited company, it is made up of four main subsidiaries: SNCF Voyageurs (passenger transport), SNCF Réseau (infrastructure), SNCF Gares & Connexions (stations) and Rail Logistics Europe (freight). The holding company posted 41.4 billion euros in turnover in 2022 and employs nearly 270,000 staff across Europe.

On the travel side, SNCF runs several complementary commercial brands. TGV INOUI handles long-distance high-speed routes between major cities and to Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg and Monaco. OUIGO offers a low-cost version of high speed, with tickets from €10 for adults and €5 for children. Intercités serves medium-sized cities not connected to the high-speed network, including night trains. TER covers daily regional trips (5,700 trains per day, 800,000 passengers).

The high-speed network and main destinations

The SNCF network reaches, with TGV INOUI, Eurostar and TGV Lyria, more than 230 destinations in France and Europe. The historic radial routes link Paris to Lyon (1 h 55), Marseille (3 h 00), Bordeaux (2 h 05), Rennes (1 h 25), Nantes (2 h 05), Lille (1 h 00) and Strasbourg (1 h 45). Intensive scheduling on these axes allows several dozen daily frequencies on weekdays, peaking at nearly 30 TGVs a day on Paris-Lyon.

Day Intercités services run on cross-country lines (Bordeaux-Marseille, Nantes-Lyon, Paris-Clermont-Ferrand, Paris-Cherbourg, Paris-Limoges-Toulouse) and night Intercités fan out from Paris-Austerlitz to Toulouse, Nice, Latour-de-Carol, Briançon, Cerbère, Tarbes-Lourdes, Rodez-Albi and Aurillac. The TER network, run in partnership with the regions, provides the fine-grained link to medium-sized cities and rural areas.

Onboard services, comfort and fares

TGV INOUI offers two classes (1st and 2nd), children's areas, bar cars, Wi-Fi via the TGV INOUI portal, power sockets at every seat and access to the TGV INOUI Connect entertainment portal. The new-generation TGV M, rolled out from 2026, offers 20% more capacity (740 seats), a 20% reduction in carbon footprint and unprecedented modularity between passenger coaches and catering areas.

Fares are dynamic: Prem's tickets go on sale 4 months ahead from €19 on many routes, while OUIGO offers start at €10. Season tickets and commercial cards (Avantage Adulte, Jeune, Senior and Famille) give access to fixed 30% discounts outside peak periods. Baggage: two pieces of luggage and one accessory (handbag, laptop) are included, with no strict weight limit provided you can carry them yourself.

Travel guides

SNCF

  • Paris
  • Lyon
  • Marseille
  • Bordeaux
  • Lille
  • Strasbourg
  • Nantes
  • Rennes
  • Toulouse
  • Nice
  • Montpellier
  • Dijon

Most frequent questions about Gopaxo

How early should I get to the station before my SNCF train?

For a TGV INOUI or OUIGO, plan to arrive at the station at least 20 minutes before departure. For an Intercités or a TER without compulsory reservation, 10 minutes is enough. For international services (notably Eurostar), allow 30 minutes for ID checks and, where required, customs.

What baggage limits should I know on SNCF?

On TGV INOUI and Intercités, every passenger can carry two pieces of baggage (max 70 × 90 × 50 cm) and one piece of hand luggage free of charge. Bags must be tagged with the passenger's name. OUIGO includes one cabin bag (55 × 35 × 25 cm) and one hand bag (40 × 30 × 15 cm); extra or oversized items require the OUIGO PLUS option or an additional baggage fee.

How do I find a cheap SNCF ticket?

The best fares are obtained by booking on the day sales open (about three to four months ahead), favouring off-peak slots (early morning, evening) and comparing TGV INOUI, OUIGO and Intercités on Gopaxo. The Avantage card gives -30% for a year on every destination.

Are pets allowed on SNCF trains?

Yes. Dogs, cats and other pets are accepted on board. A small animal (under 6 kg) in a closed bag costs €7 on TGV INOUI and Intercités. A dog over 6 kg, on a leash and muzzled, costs 30% of a 2nd-class full-fare ticket. Assistance dogs travel free.

What should I do if my SNCF train is delayed or cancelled?

The Garantie Ponctualité G30 automatically refunds 25% of the ticket for delays of 30 to 60 minutes, 50% between 1 and 3 hours and 75% beyond, on TGV INOUI and Intercités. OUIGO tickets are 100% refunded if the train is cancelled at the last minute. On TER, partial refunds apply depending on regional conventions.

Can I exchange or refund an SNCF ticket?

TGV INOUI and Intercités tickets can be exchanged and refunded free of charge up to 6 days before departure, then with a €15 fee. OUIGO tickets can only be exchanged with a €10 supplement per trip/passenger and are never refundable. Full conditions are on SNCF Connect.

What CO₂ guarantees does SNCF offer?

A TGV INOUI trip emits on average 2.4 g of CO₂ per passenger.km versus 145 g for an equivalent domestic flight. The entire SNCF Voyageurs network is powered to more than 90% by low-carbon electricity (nuclear and renewables). SNCF aims for carbon neutrality by 2035 for its passenger activities.

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