Ouigo: Cheap train tickets from €9

About Ouigo

Ouigo roughly translates as “yes go”, but it also sounds like “we go”. It’s the perfect brand name for a train service in France that’s used by millions of locals and tourists every year.

The brand is owned by Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF), the national train provider in France, and it’s available in 18 stations. In 2021, the brand was also launched in Spain, where it operates a number of popular routes under the name Ouigo España.

In many ways, Ouigo works similarly to budget airlines. It doesn’t stop at the biggest stations, keeps the amenities basic, and charges extra for oversized baggage. As a result, it’s able to keep its prices low. As you’ll see when you travel, the cost of Ouigo tickets is much less than that of other long-distance train services.

A train track. Source: Pexels

Ouigo: Services on Board

Ouigo offers low-cost train tickets to destinations across France and Spain. It’s not a brand built on luxuries and it focuses on price, speed, and reliability above all else. Ouigo’s goals are to get you there are as cheaply and as quickly as possible.

As a result, there is no buffet carriage here and you can’t order any drinks or food. If you want to eat and drink, you’ll need to stock up before you get on board.

Here’s what else you need to know about Ouigo services:

• Ouigo Plus: Ouigo Plus is a premium option that has a couple of benefits. The main ones are that you can choose your seat and benefit from the Fast Track system, which lets you board the train just 5 minutes before it leaves. This service costs extra.
• Toilets: You can’t buy a sandwich, but your basic needs are still covered and you’ll find several toilets on Ouigo trains.
• No WiFi: Unfortunately, Ouigo trains don’t have WiFi. That’s the bad news. The good news is that you should only be on the tracks for a couple of hours, so it won’t be long before you can reconnect.
• Baggage Options: Do you have extra baggage? Ouigo luggage rules let you take a couple of bags on the train, but if you have extra bags, you must pay to take them with you.

Information on Ouigo Timetable and Timetable Change

Ouigo runs routes to most of France’s major cities, including trains to Paris, Lyon, Strasburg, Marseille, Nantes, Bordeaux, and Montpellier. The trains run from early in the morning until late in the evening, and bookings can be made months in advance.

Once you have made your booking with Omio, you can check the Ouigo train timetable from your account. We’ll make sure you’re updated about any changes to your journey and will ensure that all of your Ouigo train tickets are organized.

Travel France Sustainably with Ouigo Trains

Generally speaking, trains are an eco-friendlier option than cars and planes. They create less carbon emissions, and if more travellers take trains, the transport industry can greatly reduce its carbon footprint. This is especially true with Ouigo, as the trains are designed to accommodate as many travellers as possible, with no room wasted on buffet carriages and First Class seat.

Other sustainable options include green driving and parking methods, as well as the introduction of electronic tickets. Insisting that all tickets is bought online and sent to devices and computers means that less paper is used, less waste is created, and there is no need for additional equipment or ticket booths.

A train in motion as it leaves the station. Source: Pexels

Visit France with Ouigo - Travel Tips

Depending on who you ask, France is either the most visited country in the world or just one of the top 5. In any case, it’s an incredibly popular travel destination, and when you see what’s on offer, it’s easy to see why.

After all, we’re talking about the country that gave us the world’s best cheese and wine, as well as mediaeval towns, world-famous art, fantastic cinema, and many great landmarks.

If you’re visiting France by train, consider adding some of the following to your itinerary:

• Take a river cruise on the Seine
• See world-famous paintings and sculptures in Parisian museums
• Sample fresh baguettes at a French bakery
• Try some locally produced wine and cheese
• Sate your morbid curiosity at the Paris Catacombs or the Père Lachaise Cemetery
• Visit the calming and beautiful lavender fields of Provence
• Do a spot of shopping on the Champs-Élysées

If you need some more travel tips or insights, take a look at The Window Seat, our online travel magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ouigo