France boasts one of the most comprehensive and advanced train networks in Europe, making it an ideal way to discover the country. To simplify your journey, I’ve put together this guide on how to purchase train tickets in France, helping you secure the best deals at the lowest prices.
Travel Tip: Most train tickets in France are now electronic, so having reliable high-speed data on your phone is extremely beneficial. To assist you in finding affordable mobile data options in France, check out my articles: Guide To Mobile Data Plans and Smartphone Usage 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.
How to Buy Train Tickets in France: A Quick Guide
The official website for French railways is SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer). Although you can purchase train tickets from www.oui.sncf, this site is often plagued with technical issues, such as not accepting foreign credit cards, unexpected redirects, and translation problems.
In short: I suggest avoiding www.oui.sncf in favor of more user-friendly booking options, which I will cover below.
Here are two third-party services I use to book my French train tickets:
Omio
Omio is my top choice for online rail booking. It offers the same French train tickets at the same prices as SNCF but provides a more user-friendly experience—making it easy to use foreign credit cards and eliminating translation issues. I also appreciate their mobile app, which keeps all your train tickets organized and accessible.
Typically, you’ll receive an e-ticket sent to your phone (via email or their app)—simply display it to the train conductor. If e-tickets aren’t available, you can print or collect your tickets at the train station.
Trainline
Trainline is another reliable online booking platform that sells the same French train tickets at identical prices to SNCF while streamlining the buying process—again, with no issues using foreign credit cards or translation difficulties.
Both Omio and Trainline allow you to book any type of train ticket in France, whether it’s a high-speed or local service.
Purchasing French Train Tickets at the Train Station
You can also purchase train tickets from any station in France.
The quickest way is through the automatic ticket machines, which all offer English language options. However, these machines may not always accept foreign credit cards.
You can also buy tickets at the ticket counter, but be aware that lines can be long during peak hours. While many ticket agents speak decent English, it’s not always the case. Fortunately, they can accept all types of credit cards, so payment shouldn’t be an issue.
Tips for Booking French Train Tickets
Still a bit uncertain about traveling by train in France?
In this section, I’ll delve deeper into various aspects of the booking process to enhance your understanding of France’s rail system.
How to Find Routes and Train Schedules in France
Locating train routes, schedules, and prices is straightforward—simply input your starting and destination cities into Omio or Trainline, and you’ll see all available tickets.
While travel between major cities typically does not require train changes (i.e., it’s a direct journey), it’s still important to double-check your ticket, as some routes may involve transfers.
For longer journeys or routes connecting smaller towns, you may often need to change trains in a larger city.
Types of French Trains and Tips for Finding the Best Prices
Trains in France are generally categorized into High-Speed/Long-Distance and Regional, each serving different purposes and having unique pricing structures.
TGV High-Speed Train Ticket Fares
TGV high-speed trains can reach speeds approaching 200 mph, connecting major cities across France. If you’re planning to travel long distances, you’ll likely find yourself on one of these trains.
I advise booking these tickets as early as possible because prices increase as the departure date approaches. For example, while some routes might start at around €25, they can surge to over €100 if purchased on the same day.
OuiGo Train Ticket Fares
A few years ago, the French National Railways introduced a budget-friendly TGV service called OuiGo, connecting Paris to several popular destinations at a lower fare compared to standard TGV services.
Keep in mind that OuiGo operates with fewer amenities—there are baggage restrictions, no food service, and additional charges may apply.
Intercités Medium-Distance Train Fares
Intercités (IC) trains cover medium-distance routes that frequently connect major and mid-sized cities. Like the TGV fares, booking these tickets early will yield the best prices.
TER Local/Regional Train Fares
Local and regional trains link small towns with larger cities. These tickets have a fixed price, so there is no rush to book early; you can simply arrive at the station and purchase them.
Using a Rail Pass? Remember to Make Reservations for High-Speed Trains
If you plan to travel using a rail pass, you’ll need to make a reservation for all high-speed and long-distance trains in France, which incurs an additional fee of €5-€35. You can make these reservations at any train station.
Be Aware of Train Stations
Many large cities in France, including Paris that has seven train stations, have multiple train stations, so pay attention to station names when planning your journey.
Learn More About Traveling by Rail in France
Check out my comprehensive guide, France Train Guide, which includes everything you need to know about traversing the country by train.
More Travel Tips for Europe from The Savvy Backpacker
Here are some of my most popular articles on traveling throughout Europe:
James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the author of “The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide To Europe On A Budget.” He has been blogging about budget travel in Europe since 2010.
No Funny Business
The Savvy Backpacker is reader-supported. This means I may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase products or services through links on the site, at no additional cost to you—this helps support the website.
Thank you for reading! — James
Questions? Learn more about our Strict Advertising Policy and How To Support Us.
