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SNCF summer train tickets will soon be available!

From March 13th, take advantage of cheap train tickets for summer 2024. Travel by train in France or abroad during the summer period by booking your SNCF train tickets on Omio now.

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About SNCF France

What better way to discover the best of French culture than by exploring its luminous countryside and historic cities by train. Formed in 1937, SNCF is France’s national state-owned rail company and is one of the oldest train companies in Europe. Today SNCF provides some of the world's fastest trains on the high-speed TGV INOUI network and is generally considered one of the best in the world, with trains that are modern, comfortable and reliable.

SNCF’s TGV trains are fast and comfortable. Credit: Pixabay

SNCF trains are divided into separate fleets: TGV INOUI , Intercités, TER. Lyria and Ouigo, each catering to different journey routes, speeds and lengths. High-speed, long distance routes make it possible to breakfast in Paris and travel to Marseille for a seafood lunch three hours later. Rural trains wind through Brittany in the northwest to Provence in the south for a slower and more leisurely journey while the international SNCF network extends into Spain, Germany, Italy and further into Europe. This page provides you with all the information you need to travel with SNCF. Read on to discover how to buy cheap SNCF train tickets, SNCF routes and specific TGV train schedules.

Popular SNCF train routes in France

Trains fromParis to Nice
From $82

Trains fromLyon to Paris
From $49

Trains fromParis to Bordeaux
From $38

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Popular routes

SNCF train tickets

Select the route

Showing the fastest and cheapest results for Sep 21

SNCF OUIGO

20:402h55

Barcelona Sants

23:35Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes

$531One-way

0 transfers

SNCF OUIGO

17:402h30

Barcelona Sants

20:10Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes

$801One-way

0 transfers

SNCF OUIGO

13:502h30

Barcelona Sants

16:20Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes

$1211One-way

0 transfers

SNCF OUIGO

10:402h45

Barcelona Sants

13:25Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes

$1751One-way

0 transfers

SNCF OUIGO

06:302h45

Barcelona Sants

09:15Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes

$1611One-way

0 transfers

Why book SNCF tickets with Omio?

Served by

Renfe AVE
SNCF OUIGO
Renfe AVLO
iryo
Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS
Renfe
Renfe AVE INT

SNCF train routes map

Our practical SNCF map of routes can help you navigate the extensive French rail network.

Starting from Paris, the web of train routes connects many famous places. You can go from the artsy vibes of Paris to the food paradise of Lyon, and then to the lively streets of Toulouse. Check out cool spots like Strasbourg, with its rich culture, and Rouen, full of history. You can even hop over to Geneva, a Swiss gem just outside France.

Feel the Mediterranean breeze in Nice and soak up the excitement of Marseille. If you're into glamour, head to Cannes, or if you love wine, Bordeaux is the place to be. Explore the magical world of Colmar, where fairy tale buildings meet old-fashioned charm.

Train stations in France with SNCF

The major stations in France are operated by SNCF, meaning nearly all train schedules in France will include SNCF train options. Along with Paris Gare du Nord, the company runs services to Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Lille as well as high-speed trains to international destinations such as Geneva or Milan. Hundreds of train stations in France are served by the SNCF fleet. High-speed and long-distance TGV trains are scheduled to stop at most major train stations for international and national routes. Find out all you need to know about amenities, services and the location of all the major train stations in France.

Paris Gare du Nord Lille-Europe Paris Gare du Lyon

Paris Gare Montparnasse Lyon-Parache Paris Gare de Saint-Lazare

Paris Gare D'Austerlitz Paris Gare d'Avignon TGV Marseille-St-Charles Grenoble Gare Routière

SNCF destinations

Not sure where to begin your SNCF adventure? Check out these popular SNCF destinations for travel details and nearby attractions:

Trains to Brussels-Midi

Trains to Paris Gare Saint-Lazare

Trains to Nice

SNCF ticket types

SNCF has four main ticket types across its trains, aiming to give its customers as much flexibility as possible. There are slight differences between the different SNCF train tickets so make sure you book the right one for your journey. Don’t forget that the Omio app lets you compare ticket prices, check timetables and reserve your ticket in one go.

Standard Advance Tickets Prem's

These tickets are called Prems and they are the cheapest ticket available through SNCF. Prems can be purchased four months in advance and are subject to availability. These tickets are non-exchangeable or refundable.

Second Class Tickets

These tickets can be cheap if bought in advance. Second class tickets can be exchanged or reimbursed up to the day before travel for a €12 fee. After the train has departed, they become non-exchangeable and non-refundable.

First Class Tickets

SNCF’s first class carriages are made for comfort, they offer more space and larger seats, plug sockets and WiFi onboard. Passengers can also order food from the restaurant and be served at your seat. First class tickets give holders access to SNCF’s lounge (if available at the station).

Business Premiere

Offers premium services and benefits aboard trains and the Business Premiere lounges. The tickets are available on the high-speed TGV INOUI trains for business passengers only. They are fully refundable and exchangeable should you need to reschedule at any time.

International TGV Lyria ticket options

Non-flex

Offers the lowest price option
Non-exchangeable or refundable
Valid for the France to Switzerland Lyria TGV train only

Semi-flex

Valid for the France to Switzerland Lyria TGV train only
Can be exchanged up to the point of departure for a €20 fee

Full-flex

Valid for the France–Switzerland Lyria TGV train only
Can be exchanged or refunded until departure for free
After departure, printed tickets are 50 percent refundable if claimed within two months
After departure, electronic tickets can be refunded 30 minutes afterwards

The city of Nice in the south of France. Credit: Unsplash

SNCF and TGV train types

TGV INOUI: The new identity for SNCF’s flagship TGV fleet is now TGV INOUI. The TGV INOUI were introduced in 2012 and have slowly replaced the older TGV models. These are the latest premium high-speed train service which come equipped with Wi-Fi, charging sockets, adjustable seats, and an onboard bar. France’s TGV was the third commercial high-speed service worldwide (the first two went to Japan), with the name TGV, short for Train à Grande Vitesse, directly translating to high-speed train. It is SNCF’s flagship train fleet, running on long-distance and international routes at 198 mph (320 km/h).

Ouigo offers cheap tickets on its low-cost, high speed train lines. Owned by SNCF, the Ouigo trains aim to make high-speed travel affordable. Using the same models as the TGV INOUI trains, but with fewer perks at a lower price. Its double-decker coaches offer greater capacity on its trains, and for those seeking a little more comfort there are options to pay a little extra for XL seats. It connects major cities from Paris to Lyon, Avignon, Aix, Marseille, Cannes, Nice, Nimes, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Rennes, Angers, Nantes and more Strasbourg.

Intercité covers SNCF’s city networks, connecting major cities and stations across all regions of France. There are 200 destinations on the Intercité network, with popular routes including Paris to Toulouse and Lyon to Marseille. Trains come equipped with Wi-Fi, food and drink, quiet zones as well as the options to book in first or second class. Intercité trains also operate at night so if you have an early start or want to save forking out on hotel rooms, there is the option to book a reclining seat or a cabin with a couchette. This fleet of trains run at a maximum speed of 120 mph (200 km/h)

TER (Transport Express Régional) is SNCF’s regional train service, offering efficient, local train travel. These services tend to be slower with more stops in smaller destinations but are a great way to explore the countryside or commute out of a city to a neighboring village. It’s possible to take bikes free onboard all TER journeys. The regions served by TER trains include: Brittany, Normandy, Occitanie, Provence-Alpes, French Riviera, New-Aquitaine, Center-Val-de-Loire, Hauts-de-France, Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Great East and Pays de la Loire.

Lyria: Lyria trains travel between France and Switzerland with more than 4 million passengers traveling on Lyria trains every year. You can reach Geneva, Basel, Lausanne and Zurich (and other major Swiss stations) from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Lille or Dijon

What to expect onboard SNCF trains

SNCF trains are renowned for their speed and comfort. Trains are well-maintained and offer passengers amenities to ensure a safe and pleasant journey. Here’s a quick snapshot of key information you need about SNCF trains:

SNCF tickets are cheaper when bought in advance

SNCF allows luggage onboard for free.

SNCF offer seat reservations for free and can be booked via Omio

SNCF provides the same [amenities] that you’ve come to expect from most good train companies including free Wi-Fi, charging sockets, onboard bar and priority boarding.

SNCFTrains to Normandy

SNCFTrains to Lyon

SNCFTrains to Lille

Book cheap SNCF train tickets today!

The most sure-fire way of securing the best SNCF train tickets is to book as far in advance as possible as prices rise incrementally with demand. If you can be flexible with your travel date, you can also look for dates and times that offer cheaper tickets. During peak hours most companies increase their ticket prices. Look for connecting trains, which may be slower, but are cheaper than direct trains. Omio compares the prices at different times on any given date and allows you to choose quickly and easily find the cheapest available option.

SNCF Offers and Discounts

SNCF provide a number of discounts for travelers which can be directly applied to tickets when checking out on the Omio page. For regular travelers on SNCF, it’s worth looking out for annual railcards which can reduce ticket prices up to 30 percent for the card holder. These include youth railcards and railcards for over 60s.

Going on vacation as a family or a group of friends? The good news is that discounts apply for group travelers all year-round on the Oui Tribu ticket! If you are traveling solo, then we recommend looking out for the Prem's ticket as far in advance as possible to get the best deal.

Oui Tribu

Groups of between 2 and 5 passengers can get a reduction of 20 to 50 percent off their tickets
Children between the ages of 4 and 11 years old get 50 percent reduction
- Available as an e-ticket only
- Tickets must be bought at the same time
- Valid only when the entire group travels together
- Non-refundable or exchangeable

Delays and cancellations on SNCF trains

If your SNCF train has been canceled or delayed by more than 30 minutes, you may be entitled to compensation. Omio will automatically complete a compensation claim for you, by submitting the necessary paperwork for the affected journey. This way, you can get your money back quickly and seamlessly.
The compensation rules in case of delayed trains in France are as follows:

- 25% refund of the ticket fare if the train is between one and two hours late.
- 50% refund of the ticket fare if the train is more than two hours late.
- 75% refund of the ticket fare if the train is more than three hours late.

Make sure to benefit from this feature by booking with Omio for seamless ticketing compensation.

Popular SNCF routes and TGV train schedules

Thanks to the high-speed TGV INOUI trains, traveling to major cities across France is a simple and easy way to get around, making it a popular choice for visitors and residents. TGV trains are scheduled to stop across major stations in France and now also connect parts of Europe including Milan and Geneva. Take a look at some of the most frequented routes, check out the latest TGV train schedules and book your holiday today, directly with Omio.

SNCF route	SNCF Schedule	Frequency	Duration	Price
Train Paris Lyon	From 05:50 to 22:00	20 trains a day	2h	from $20
Train Paris Lille	From 07:00 to 22:00	30 trains a day	1h	From $25
Train Lille Paris	From 05:50 to 21:20	20 trains a day	1h	From $25
Train Lyon Paris	From 05:15 to 22:35	20 trains a day	2h	From $20
Train Paris Nice	From 07:20 to 21:20	15 trains a day	2h	From $21
Train Paris Toulouse	From 06:30 to 22:00	15 trains a day	5h30	From $29
Train Toulouse Paris	From 06:00 to 22:50	15 trains a day	5h30	From $35
Train Nice Paris	From 07:00 to 20:00	20 trains a day	6h00	from $28
Train Paris Marseille	From 06:00 to 21:30	30 trains a day	3h20	From $27
Train Bordeaux Paris	From 05:00 to 20:30	30 trains a day	2h50	From $20

SNCF FAQs

Yes, you’ll need to validate your SNCF ticket before you board your train. Look for the yellow, SNCF-branded machines around the station. Insert your ticket into the gray slot near the bottom of the machine, lengthwise and facing up, with the barcode entering the machine. You’ll hear a printing noise and voila — your ticket is validated and you can board your train.

It’s best to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
If you book your ticket via the Omio app, you can arrive closer to departure, skip the line at the machine and hop on board with your mobile ticket. No need to validate it, either. That’s a win-win situation for everyone!

SNCF is the state-managed railway network in France and it operates the TGV INOUI high-speed trains throughout France.
Each of France’s larger cities usually has a metro system, so getting around is fast and efficient.
Paris also has RER trains, similar to commuter trains, that also have connections with the metro stations.

When making a purchase for a regional train (TER) or for a journey involving a bus leg, you will receive a booking number per e-mail instead of the actual tickets.
This booking number will allow you to collect your tickets at any yellow SNCF self-service machine at a station in France. On the screen, simply choose "File and electronic ticket collection" and select “Collection with a file reference number”. Enter the booking number and last name of the buyer—as indicated on your voucher.
The credit card used to make the payment is required.

Leisure (first and second class) The ticket can be modified and refunded free of charge, up to 31 days before departure and subject to a fee of 5€ from 30 days until 2 days before departure. The penalty rises to 15€ on the day before and the actual day of departure. Any price difference between the original and the new ticket will also have to be paid. The ticket can neither be modified nor canceled after departure.
Pro (first and second class) The ticket is exchangeable and refundable for free until departure. After that, you can exchange it up to 2 hours after departure from the departure station. Any price difference between the original and the new ticket will have to be paid.
Prem's The ticket may not be modified nor canceled.
Carte Senior+ / Jeune / Week-End / Enfant+: The ticket can be modified or canceled for free up until three days before departure and with a 5€ fee on the day before and the actual day of departure. The ticket may not be modified or canceled after the departure.

Providing there is room, and it is not disturbing fellow passengers; an unlimited amount of baggage can be taken onboard, for free, on SNCF services. Each piece of luggage should be labeled with your name.

The transportation of animals in a bag or basket of no larger than 45 cm x 30 cm x 25 cm and weighing less than 6 kg, costs €7. If your animal weighs more than 6 kg, the fare will be 50 percent of the cost of a second class ticket.
Exchanges and cancellations: you may exchange your pet's ticket free of chargeup until the day before departure. After that, a 10 percent modification fee applies, up until the end of its validity. Tickets may not be exchanged beyond this date. The ticket is refundable for a 10 percent fee up until the end of its validity.

Standard (first and second class):
Without a SNCF seat reservation: the ticket can be exchanged free of charge for a ticket with an assigned seat, a lesser discount or an upgrade before its expiry date. A 10 percent fee will be applied for all other exchanges. The ticket is refundable for a 10 percent fee before its expiry date.
Leisure (first and second class): The ticket can be modified and refunded free of charge, up to 31 days before departure and subject to a fee of 5€ from 30 days until 2 days before departure. The penalty rises to 12€ on the day before and the actual day of departure. Any price difference between the original and the new ticket will also have to be paid. The ticket can neither be modified nor canceled after departure.
Pro (first and second class): The ticket is exchangeable and refundable for free until departure. After that, you can exchange it up to 2 hours after departure from the departure station.
Prem's: The ticket may not be changed nor refunded.
Leisure Week-End:
The ticket can be modified and refunded free of charge, up to 31 days before departure and subject to a fee of 5€ from 30 days until 2 days before departure. The penalty rises to 12€ on the day before and the actual day of departure. Any price difference between the original and the new ticket will also have to be paid. The ticket cannot be modified or canceled after departure.

The ticket can be exchanged free of charge for a ticket with an assigned seat, a lesser discount or an upgrade before its expiry date. A 10% fee will be applied for all other exchanges. Ticket is refundable at a 10% fee before its expiry date.
For Mini-Group Leisure and Mini-Group Intercités passengers (2 to 5 passengers), tickets can be exchanged or refunded free of charge up to one day prior to departure.
Prem's tickets may not be exchanged or refunded.

FLEX: Ticket exchangeable and refundable free of charge before departure (including e-ticket service). After departure, 50% of the purchase price of the ticket can be refunded when done within 2 months (e-ticket excluded). e-ticket: Ticket exchangeable free of charge up to 30 minutes after the train's departure.
SEMI-FLEX: Exchangeable and refundable subject to a fee of 20€ until departure. Tickets will not be exchangeable or refundable after departure.
NON-FLEX: Ticket may not be changed nor refunded.
First FLEX: Ticket exchangeable and refundable free of charge before departure (including e-ticket service). After departure, 50% of the purchase price of the ticket can be refunded when done within 2 months (e-ticket excluded). e-ticket service: Ticket exchangeable free of charge up to 30 minutes after the train's departure.
Meal served at your seat (breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner; depending on journey time).

First SEMI-FLEX:
Exchangeable and refundable subject to a fee of 20 € until departure. Tickets will not be exchangeable or refundable after departure.
Meal served at your seat (breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner; depending on journey time).
First NON-FLEX:
Ticket cannot be exchanged and is non-refundable. Meal served at your seat (breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner; depending on your journey time).
MINI: Ticket cannot be exchanged and is non-refundable.

The SNCF has set up several services to accompany people with reduced mobility before, during or after their journey to any SNCF train schedule. You can contact the Accès Plus service at 0890 640 650 or by email at [email protected].

Passengers in Wheelchairs: The SNCF has set up several services to accompany people with reduced mobility before, during or after their journey to any SNCF schedule. You can contact the Accès Plus service at 0890 640 650 or by email at [email protected].
Seeing Eye Dogs: Guide dogs are permitted on all SNCF trains

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SNCF Tickets; Check Timetables and Book Train Tickets

SNCF summer train tickets will soon be available!

Buy SNCF train tickets with Omio

About SNCF France

Popular SNCF train routes in France

Popular routes

SNCF train tickets

Select the route

Why book SNCF tickets with Omio?

Popular SNCF routes

Paris to Milan train

Paris to Zurich train

Zurich to Paris train

Madrid to Barcelona train

Paris to Bordeaux train

Lille to Paris train

Madrid to Valencia train

Valencia to Madrid train

Milan to Paris train

Barcelona to Madrid train

SNCF train routes map

Train stations in France with SNCF

SNCF destinations

SNCF ticket types

Standard Advance Tickets Prem's

Second Class Tickets

First Class Tickets

Business Premiere

International TGV Lyria ticket options

Non-flex

Semi-flex

Full-flex

SNCF and TGV train types

What to expect onboard SNCF trains

Book cheap SNCF train tickets today!

SNCF Offers and Discounts

Delays and cancellations on SNCF trains

Popular SNCF routes and TGV train schedules

SNCF FAQs

Do I need to validate my train ticket? If so, how?

When should I arrive at the station?

What are the different types of trains in France?

I've got a voucher, how can I print my ticket?

Can I cancel or exchange my ticket?

How much luggage can I take on an SNCF train?

Can I take pets on a SNCF train?

Can I cancel or exchange my ticket for an Intercités train?

Can I cancel or exchange my ticket for a TER train or a group ticket?

Can I cancel or exchange my ticket for a TGV-Lyria train?

What about refunding or exchange first class tickets on TGV trains?

Services on board SNCF Trains: What services are available to people with reduced mobility?

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

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