FRANCE TRAIN GUIDE — HOW TO TRAVEL FRANCE BY TRAIN
The way to check schedules and buy train tickets.
Buying Tickets at the Station
Just purchase tickets at the station, even if you don't speak French. No reservation is needed for short trips like Paris-Versailles or Nice-Cannes. Utilize multi-lingual self-service machines at major stations; just select English by tapping the UK flag.
​
Buying Train Tickets Online:
French Railways Website: www.sncf-connect.com.
Check train times and fares on the French Railways website. No booking fee, and for 1st class TGV, you can pick your seat from a map. It's generally user-friendly, but occasionally non-European credit cards might face challenges.
Rail Europe: www.raileurope.com
An alternative website to buy rail tickets. Simple to use, available in Euro €, Pound Sterling £, or US dollar $, and they offer tickets for various European operators. It also accepts international credit cards. Print or show tickets on your phone.
Trainline: www.thetrainline.com
Started by French entrepreneurs, now part of The Trainline. Connects to SNCF, selling the same tickets as SNCF. Easy, in plain English, accepts international cards, and sells tickets for multiple European railways. Both sites have a small booking fee.
Do you need to buy ticket in advance?
For regional, local, and suburban trains like TER and Paris suburban trains such as Lyon-Grenoble or Dijon-Lyon by TER, Cannes-Nice-Monte Carlo by half-hourly local train, Paris to Versailles or CDG airport by RER.
There's no need to buy a ticket in advance to reserve a seat. Just buy a ticket at the station or from the machines, and just hop on the next available train. Tickets have fixed prices, so there's no advantage in pre-booking.
However, for longer routes like Paris-Limoges-Toulouse, Paris-Vichy-Clermont, Bordeaux-Toulouse-Montpellier-Marseille, and Intercités de nuit as well as TGV High -Speed trains, reservations for seats are compulsory.
It is worth checking online for cheaper non-refundable prems fares. Every ticket automatically includes a seat reservation, and prices work similarly to airfares. To get the best deal, it's smart to book in advance. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, so planning ahead can save you money!
In summary, for local and short-distance trains, no reservations are needed, but for longer Intercity and high-speed TGV trains, it's advisable to book in advance for better prices and guaranteed seats.
MORE TIPS FOR RIDING TRAINS IN FRANCE
Arrive Early
Get to the station early to figure out which platform your train is departing from. Paris train stations can be quite confusing.
​
Ticket Validation
Don't forget to validate your ticket. Look for the yellow machines labeled 'compostage de billets' near the platform. Insert your ticket, retrieve it, and keep it handy. Ticket inspectors will likely check, and having a validated ticket is important to avoid any issues during your journey.
​
No Luggage Limits
Feel free to bring as much luggage as you can carry—there are no weight restrictions on trains. You can store your belongings above your seat, behind you, or in designated luggage racks in each train car.
​
Connecting Trains
If your journey involves changing trains, don't stress about short layovers. Unlike air travel, train connections are typically quick and straightforward, so you don't need extended waiting times between trains.
