France has among the best and most developed prepare networks in Europe so it’s a superb strategy to discover the nation. To make your journey even simpler I’ve created this information about learn how to purchase prepare tickets in France so you may get the perfect prepare tickets on the most cost-effective worth.
Travel Tip: Most prepare tickets in France at the moment are digital so having dependable high-speed information in your telephone is tremendous useful. Here are a number of articles I’ve written that will help you get low cost cellular information in France: Guide To Mobile Data Plans and Smartphone Phones in Europe, How To Buy A SIM Card and Mobile Data Plans in Europe, and Guide To Buying SIM Cards and Mobile Data Plans in France
Buying Train Tickets in France: A Quick Guide
The official French rail web site is SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer). You should purchase prepare tickets from www.oui.sncf however the web site is plagued with every kind of bizarre technical points—like randomly not accepting non-French bank cards, unusual redirects, and odd translation points.
In brief: I like to recommend avoiding www.oui.sncf as there are different extra user-friendly choices which I’ll cowl under.
There are two third-party reserving companies that I take advantage of when reserving my French prepare tickets:
Omio
Omio is my favourite on-line rail reserving service. Omio sells the very same French prepare tickets on the similar worth as SNCF however it’s way more user-friendly—there are not any points utilizing a international bank card, no translation points, and so on. I additionally like their cellular app which retains all of your prepare tickets organized and simply accessible.
In most circumstances you’ll obtain an e-ticket despatched to your telephone (by way of e mail or their app)—simply present it to the prepare conductor. If e-tickets aren’t out there, you’ll be able to print/accumulate your tickets on the prepare station.
Trainline
Trainline is one other on-line reserving platform that sells the very same French prepare tickets at the very same worth as SNCF however they’ve made the entire shopping for course of easy and user-friendly—no points utilizing a international bank card, no translation points, and so on.
You can use Omio & Trainline to e-book any sort of prepare ticket in France—from high-speed to native trains.
Buying French Train Tickets At The Train Station
You may also purchase prepare tickets in France from any French prepare station.
The quickest means is by way of the automated ticket machines (the machines all have English choices). However, generally these machines don’t settle for international bank cards.
You may also purchase tickets from the ticket window however the traces can get lengthy throughout busy occasions. Many of the ticket sellers will communicate satisfactory English however not at all times. That stated, they will settle for any bank card in order that gained’t be a problem.
Tips For Booking French Train Tickets
Still a little bit confused about prepare journey in France?
In this part, I take a deeper have a look at totally different points of the reserving course of that will help you higher perceive the ins and outs of France’s rail community.
How To Find Routes and French Train Schedules
Finding prepare routes, occasions, and costs is easy—simply plug your cities into Omio or Trainline and so they’ll let you know what tickets can be found.
While routes between main cities don’t typically require altering trains (i.e. it’s a continuous journey), it is best to nonetheless listen when reserving your ticket as a result of some routes would possibly require a change.
However, on longer routes or routes connecting smaller cities, you’ll typically be required to alter trains in a much bigger metropolis.
Types Of French Trains (And How To Get The Best Ticket Prices)
In France, the trains are roughly labeled as both High-Speed/Long-Distance, & Regional. They every serve a distinct function and have totally different pricing buildings.
TGV High-Speed Train Ticket Fares
The TVG high-speed trains attain speeds of just about 200mph. The main cities in France are linked by high-speed trains so it’s probably you’ll journey one in every of these trains in case you journey an extended distance.
I like to recommend reserving these prepare tickets as quickly as potential since these tickets get costlier the nearer it will get to the departure date. For instance, some routes can begin at round €25 after which price €100+ if booked a same-day ticket.
OuiGo Train Ticket Fares
A number of years in the past the French National Railways created a brand new low-budget TVG high-speed prepare line referred to as OuiGo. It mainly connects Paris with a handful of common French locations however it does it at a less expensive fare than the traditional TVG prepare.
OuiGo isn’t any/low frills so there are bag limits, no meals out there, and there are a number of additional prices.
Intercités Medium-Distance Train Fares
Intercités (IC) trains are medium-distance trains that usually join each main and medium-sized cities. I additionally advocate reserving these as early as it’s handy to get the perfect worth.
TER Local/Regional Train Fares
Local and regional trains join small cities to huge/medium cities. These tickets have a set worth so there is no such thing as a purpose to e-book early—merely present up and purchase tickets on the station.
Do You Have A Rail Pass? You’ll Need A Reservation For High Speed Trains
If you’re touring on a rail cross you’ll have to pay a little bit additional to make a reservation for all high-speed and long-distance trains in France. You could make this reservation from any prepare station. These can price wherever from €5-€35.
Pay Attention To Train Stations
Most massive cities in France have a number of prepare stations (Paris has seven) so take note of the station names.
Learn More About Rail Travel in France
Read my tremendous in-depth information France Train Guide that covers every little thing you have to find out about touring by way of France.
More Europe Travel Tips From The Savvy Backpacker
Here are a number of of my hottest articles about touring Europe:
James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the creator of the e-book “The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide To Europe On A Budget”. He’s been running a blog about funds journey in Europe since 2010.
No Funny Business
The Savvy Backpacker is reader-supported. That means if you purchase merchandise/companies by way of hyperlinks on the positioning, I’ll earn an affiliate fee—it doesn’t price you something additional and it helps assist the positioning.
Thanks For Reading! — James
Questions? Learn extra about our Strict Advertising Policy and How To Support Us.