All about car tuning

France railway map. French Railways: Traveler's Recommendations

Today I’ll tell you about the French railway and share useful tips: how to buy tickets, how to reduce the cost of travel cards, which purchase option is the most profitable for a budget tourist, as well as other features of French railways.

Probably no one will argue with me if I say that it is impossible to recognize a country by its capital. After all, it is important to have an idea not only of the main attractions that are known throughout the world, but also to get to know people, culture, and nature. And, wandering around the capital for one day, alas, you will not see all the beauty that is hidden in the little things. Today I will talk about my trip to France. In order to see as much as possible without spending a fortune on moving around the country, I decided to travel by rail and was right. It's really more educational than using public transport and... Of course, it was a little scary to go on such a trip for the first time, but then the anxiety disappeared, and only pleasant impressions and memories remained. You can read about one of my previous adventures in the essay “”.

To begin with, I will tell you the basic information that is important for everyone to know in order to have at least some idea of ​​the railways in France. So, the railway network is built according to a radial-ring scheme. The capital has the most important highways, which diverge to other settlements. This construction scheme allows you to travel between different cities without spending a lot of time on the road. Transfers are made in Paris, and you often have to move from one station to another.


Train types

First, I’ll tell you about high-speed trains, which are abbreviated as TGV This Best offer to date. After all, these trains move at a speed of 300 km per hour and are comfortable. True, they are equipped only with seats. The fare is higher than on regular trains, so this option was not suitable for me. By the way, these trains often stop not at the central railway station, but at special terminals. Today there are three TGV lines, but a fourth is planned. Thanks to the fact that the lines are interconnected, you can easily and quickly travel directly from Bordeaux to Lille. By the way, this is where I will go next time and I hope it will be on the TGV. After all, although it is more expensive, it does not require unnecessary hassle or transfers.

You can also choose a simpler, but no worse option - high speed trains Corail. Daytime trains have only seats, which are divided into 1st and 2nd class. By the way, the carriages are for smokers and non-smokers. This is worth considering when choosing tickets. The travel speed is not the same as the TGV, but you can get there quickly. And given that this is a more budget option, high-speed trains deserve the attention of tourists. In addition to daytime trains, there are also night trains, but in terms of comfort they are no different from Russian ones. People are offered double or triple compartments of first or second class.

I don’t advise you to buy completely budget options for six seats, since it’s cramped, stuffy and there’s no question of service.

I note that it is on high-speed trains that you can transport bicycles (a paid service).

Local express trains- also a good option for transportation, quickly and inexpensively (if you choose 2nd class).

In addition, the French offer travelers special trains with carriages for cars, they are called AutoTrain. There are two types:

The owner of the car travels with the vehicle in one train.

The train is intended only for transporting cars, and the owner gets there under his own power.

I note that such trains do not always run (from September to May) and only on a specific route: Dordogne - Toulouse - Avignon - Narbonne - Nice.

Now I’ll tell you a little about the classes of cars. So, there are two classes: first and second. First class seats will cost about half as much. If we talk about second class, the cost can start from 8.5 to 10 euros for every hundred kilometers. On short routes the price is more expensive than 11.5-15 euros. In a night train, second class (seated seats) can cost much less (three euros per 100 km). But is it worth torturing yourself like this, because sleeping while sitting is not the best option. Although, if you need to save money, you won’t have to choose, since it’s the cheapest.

Train schedule


 You may not be able to figure this issue out without outside help. Although SNCF offers a pocket schedule absolutely free of charge to every tourist, it will be difficult for less experienced travelers to understand everything without additional instructions. Therefore, I will share a little knowledge. As a rule, a pocket schedule is made according to a template. The train number is indicated in the top line, the name of the station is written in the column on the left. The arrival time of the train is at the intersection of columns and rows. By the way, keep in mind that train numbers often have additional marks in the form of abbreviations and various symbols. Markings like these indicate how the train runs:

  • Exclusively on Fridays.
  • On holidays and weekends.
  • Every day, except weekends.

By reading the note in the name, you will know which train is suitable for you depending on the day of the week.

If you're lucky at major train stations, you will be given a special edition of the "Tourist's Guide" (this information can also be found on the website if you have a connection unlimited Internet on a smartphone). This guide covers everything a SNCF customer needs to know.

If you are planning a long, multi-day trip to one region, I advise you to buy a tourist booklet at the train station, which will contain a detailed schedule. In addition, anyone can purchase at the station in Relay a book for 10 euros, which describes a lot of interesting and useful things for tourists.

Where can I buy travel passes?

TO
When you come to an unfamiliar country and plan to visit as much as possible in a couple of days, you want to choose the best option for buying tickets, or rather the simplest. For me, the most profitable way was to order online. And how it will be easier for you, see for yourself, I’ll tell you about all the methods of acquisition.

At separate ticket offices at major railway stations. International– ticket office for international flights; Grandes lignes– long distance;Banlieue– commuter flights. I note that in some cases the cash registers differ depending on the time of purchase:

  • preliminary (Achat a l'avance).
  • on the day of departure (Depart du jour).

You can buy travel passes for cash or credit. Just keep in mind that a refund is only possible in the first case. Therefore, which payment option to choose is up to you.

In addition, you can buy a ticket through a machine. They are available at almost every station. You can pay for the ticket in cash or by credit card (if the amount is more than 2 euros). By the way, it is not at all necessary to prepare the exact amount; the machine will give you change. But a travel card purchased this way will be a little more expensive.

The ticket inspector on the train also sells passes. This is in case the ticket offices are closed and you don’t have time to stand in line and work magic on the machine. But it will be more expensive, the overpayment can be from 7.5 to 15 euros per ticket. My advice to you: don’t wait for the conductor to come, go to him yourself. This way you will save a little by paying only 3-6 euros.

If you buy a pass while already in a TGV carriage, then you need to pay extra, regardless of the distance - 6 euros.

Interesting feature, which I don’t recommend skipping: having bought a ticket and validated it, you have the right to get off at any station for several hours, and then hit the road again. The main thing is that there is not a long break (24 hours). Otherwise you will have to take a new ticket.

By the way, before boarding, it is advisable to find a composter and punch your ticket (orange machines are installed mainly on the platform). If you didn’t find it or didn’t have time to punch your ticket when entering the carriage, try to immediately find the conductor. Otherwise, you may face a fine, which is not only unpleasant, but also an extra expense. I will talk about the last method, in my opinion, the most convenient, separately.

To buy tickets online, you need to go to the official page of the French railway company SNCF. Having entered the site, I recommend immediately switching to English language(at the top of the page there will be the letter designation FR, we select En). After this, the first thing we do is choose where we will go from and where. For example, I went from Paris to Marseille. I’ll say right away that it’s better to select “all stations” so that it shows us more options. We decide on the date and time of departure, as well as the type of flight. I advise you to take direct trains (check the box next to “Direct trains” - direct trains). It is also worth choosing a carriage class; I ticked the second one, since the first one is more expensive. By the way, there is practically no difference in comfort, maybe a little. Next, fill in all the other items (country of delivery of the ticket, etc.) and press the Search button. After this, you will see several options on the screen (the cheapest and most profitable will be highlighted in orange).

I would like to note that the pass is at a low price; if something happens, it cannot be exchanged; it is non-refundable.

If you have chosen the best option in one or both directions, then press the button Confirm to confirm payment for the selected tickets. To pay, you need to enter your details credit card(enter very precisely). After this, you will need to decide on the method of obtaining:

  • by mail (wait at least 2 weeks and it’s not a guarantee that it will arrive, knowing the capabilities of our services).
  • through the machine at the station (the ticket must be printed). You need to go to one of the yellow machines and insert the credit card you used to make the purchase. Don’t worry, feel free to insert the card into the terminal, this is necessary for confirmation, the money will not be withdrawn a second time.
  • by email (not available in all directions). In this case, you will also need to print out the document for travel through the terminal, or you can go to the ticket office with your printout, which you received by mail.

As you can see, ordering a ticket online is not difficult; you only need to know a few nuances. But at the same time it is very profitable, because it is when you buy online that you can get the best discounts and cheap tickets. That's why I choose this option. Moreover, by registering on the site, I can book tickets using the mobile Internet while on the road. Very comfortably.

But for this you need to have quality Mobile Internet. Pay attention to the offer, which offers good rates. At least I chose this provider and have no regrets. The quality of communication is excellent, in addition, the cost is affordable and I am always in touch with my loved ones. And this is the most important thing for me. There were no problems during the trip. Using the “Across Europe” or “Go Europe” tariff, I can communicate in 36 countries + profitable Mobile Internet. By the way, friend bought a starter pack Vodafone is also pleased with the result. Three euros a day and no problems:

  • Half a gigabyte of the Internet.
  • 50 minutes for calls (part for outgoing and incoming).
  • Opportunity to communicate in more than 40 countries.

The trip to France inspired me to new achievements, I want to see more more countries and feel their color, . After all, it is not only inexpensive, but also interesting and comfortable. I would like to note that the French seem very strict, but in fact they are good-natured and friendly, and they helped me in many ways. True, this required my school knowledge of French.

Rail transport in France is the most economical and versatile way to travel around the country. The railway network connects both large and small cities and villages. Traveling by train is faster and more enjoyable than by bus.

French railways are an excellent option for tourists who do not like to fly on planes and prefer comfortable trips. Trains in this country are slower than air travel, and are also quite expensive. France's rail transport is reliable and varied. Most of the vehicles used are produced by national manufacturers.

What trains are used

If desired, a passenger can get to any point in the country using trains. There are high-speed, night, local and other trains. You can get from Russia to France by train, which runs from Moscow to Paris. The second train departs from the Russian capital and arrives in Nice. These trains depart from Belorussky Station in any season.

There are six train stations in Paris, from where you can travel to any area and beyond the borders of France. The country's railway network is subordinate to the French company SNCF (National Railway Society. Part of the railway fleet consists of high-speed GV trains, which are used on intercity routes. They run almost non-stop, reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h. Older trains run at speeds of about 250 km/h h. Fast trips are guaranteed by RER trains or regional express trains.They are equipped with comfortable seats and can accelerate to 200 km/h.

Travel features for passengers

On the railways of France they run passenger trains with carriages of three classes: luxury, first and second. In the luxury car, each room is equipped with a single bunk and a double bed, a TV, a table, an armchair, a shower and a bathroom. Coupes of the first and second classes are almost the same.

Train tickets are sold at SNCF ticket offices, on the company's website and in ticket machines. By looking at sncf.com, a tourist can choose a route and train ticket. To order a ticket online, it is not necessary to register on the website. Passengers can enjoy a variety of discounts on train tickets. The EurailPass is very popular and is valid in 17 European countries. It allows the owner to make numerous trips in first class seats. There is a special Eurail Saverpass for two, which offers discounts to traveling couples.

Two new stations capable of receiving high-speed TGV trains are Besançon/Franche-Comté TGV and Belfort-Montbéliard TGV.

The new Rhine-Rhône high-speed line has become part of the overall French railway network and reduces travel times between France, Switzerland and Germany.

The TGV high-speed trains will stop in two major cities in the Franche-Comté region. Travel time to Paris and Lyon is reduced to 2-3 hours, which is undoubtedly very attractive for business trips. and for tourists, but there is something to see here!

TGV high-speed railway Rhine-Rhône

Each station can serve more than 1 million passengers per year.

The Besançon station (or more precisely, the station is located 10 km north of Besançon) allows for quick and easy connections between the TGV and regional TER trains.

The proximity to the main roads A36 and RN57 makes the station accessible not only to residents of Besançon and its suburbs, but also to residents of the city of Vesoul: buses, taxis and other vehicles stop at the square near the station building.

The authors of the station building project and all adjacent infrastructure were able to find a compromise between nature and high technology. The architects managed to integrate the station building into the natural environment - the station is surrounded by forest and even partially covered with vegetation (a lawn was planted on the roof of the station and the transitions to the platforms).

To increase energy saving efficiency, a wind map was studied before the design of the station complex began. And in order to protect itself from the prevailing southwestern winds, the station building was stretched from north to south.

In addition, the station building provides excellent thermal insulation; modern technologies for natural ventilation of buildings were taken into account when designing the complex. The consumption of water resources is also optimized - rainwater is collected and after filtration it can be used for technical purposes.

The station building consists of three levels, with the top floor built at ground level. It is very convenient for passengers (and especially disabled people) to enter the station building from the car park. The parking lot has a capacity of 1000 spaces. At the same level there are transitions to platforms.

Travel time from Besançon to Strasbourg will be 1 hour 40 minutes, to Paris - 2 hours 05 minutes, to Lyon - 1 hour 55 minutes, and Marseille can be reached in 3 hours 35 minutes.

The construction of the new TGV station has given new impetus to economic development not only in the cities of Belfort and Montbéliard, but also in the entire region. The main goal of the project is to build a center for multimodal transport - the TGV high-speed line, regional TER trains and the A36 and RN19 highways will converge at one point.

In my own way appearance The station building resembles a giant bus with huge windows. The main station building is 400 m long and 15 m wide. Access to the platforms is via ramps, which eliminate the 7.5 m height difference between the station hall and the platforms.

In addition to glass, natural wood is widely used in the interior decoration of the station.

Let's watch a short video showing the interiors of the Belfort-Montbéliard station:

This project is also unique in that it is the first time for a French railway station that it is partially heated by geothermal energy. With the help of heat pumps, geothermal energy is supplied to central heating, hot water supply and ventilation systems.

Photovoltaic panels with an area of ​​300 m2 were installed on the roof of the station - the generated electricity will be used to illuminate the building and heat water.

A parking lot with 1,300 spaces was built on both sides of the station building. Additional parking for 150 cars is located next to the train station serving regional TER trains.

You can get additional information and buy tickets for French high-speed TGV trains from the general representative of RailEurope in Russia - TSAR Voyages/Tsar Voyage.

Main routes from Paris
French trains are a fast and easy way to get where you need to go. TGV (short for train a grande vitesse, high-speed train, read Te-Zhe-VE) is a French network of high-speed electric trains.
Since France is the largest country in Western Europe, train travel is very important. The country has a fairly efficient rail transport system. The government has invested significant funds in creating high speed train systems TGV (TGV trains - Train à Grande Vitesse), developed and financed the construction of special high-speed lines LGV (Ligne Grande Vitesse) for these roads.
There are more than 1,700 km (1,056 miles) of express routes, including dedicated high-speed lines, as well as thousands of kilometers of regional main lines that are essential and allow train travel throughout France by train throughout the entire country. The roads are managed by the National Company of French Railways (SNCF).

Railway network

The French railway network connects not only all major cities, but most small towns in rural areas. With careful travel planning, you can only get around by traveling by train during your holiday. Regular trains are convenient for traveling short distances and are a relatively cheap means of transport.
It is also necessary to keep in mind that some trains operate on a schedule and only on certain days, so this must be taken into account if you are planning to travel by train in areas of France.
There are 6 operating railway stations in Paris. From these stations you can practically reach any corner of France. But one of the most beautiful is Gare de Lyon, it is located near Boulevard Diderot in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. The building was built for the World Exhibition of 1900, it was a legendary event that was attended by an unprecedented number of people at that time, 50 million. Paris prepared seriously for this event and, along with the station, the 1st line of the Paris metro and the trolleybus network were launched. Gare de Lyon connects Paris with the south-eastern part of the country. In addition to commuter trains and high-speed trains, you can get to Italy or Greece from here. In winter, you can meet skiers or snowboarders; trains to the Alps leave from this station.
Gare de Lion was conceived as a pompous, large-scale building personifying technological progress, which is why the façade was decorated with symbolic figures of the four graces: Mechanics, Electricity, Navigation and Steam.

Expressways

Types of trains in France
France has different types of trains, from the impressive TGV and other high-speed trains to regular short-distance trains. Along with the new facilities there are still a number of lines where older types of carriages are used, most of the trains are now comfortable, modern and high-tech, with additions such as Wi-Fi. Passenger carriages They have quite large windows on both sides, and the other upper tier allows you to have an excellent view when traveling.
Main types of trains in France
TGV train network operates with major cities France and Europe.
TGV Nord from Paris Gare du Nord. Connections in the north of France, to Lille, and Eurostar to London, Lille and Brussels.

International transportation by high-speed trains

TGV technology is used by other national rail carriers in Europe.
Lyria TGV trains running from France to Switzerland
Eurostar connects the UK, Lille, Paris and Brussels
Thalys trains traveling from France to Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany
TGV France-Italy
Artesia high-speed line (France - Italy)

Purchasing tickets

How and where to buy tickets for train travel in France.
Like most countries, ticket prices vary. If you can book your tickets in advance, you will get good discounts. If you book early, if you miss your train, you will not be able to receive a refund.
Ticket prices for the TGV or express train are no more expensive than for a regular local line. This circumstance allows you to compete with low-cost airlines; TGV trains offer competitive prices when booked early. Online booking is widespread.
Train tickets can be booked online and you can print them out on your computer as an e-ticket, which is exactly what airlines do. For example, if you book tickets two months in advance to travel from Paris to Nice, the second class fare will be cheaper at 27 euros ($35), and the first class fare will be 36 euros ($47).
France railway timetable
TGV train timetables from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to Nice daily at 6:49, 8:49, 10:49, 12:49, 16:49, and with iDTGV discount fares, which must be purchased only online and in advance only at 6:49 and 16:49. From Gare d'Austerlitz, the train departs for Nice at 21:22 and arrives in the morning. Book at www.tgv-europe.com/en

Travel time between the capital and cities of France

Paris to Lille – 59 min
Paris to Dunkirk - 59 min
TGV Est trains from Paris Gare De l"Est. Connecting the east of France with the cities of Reims, Metz, Nancy, Strasbourg, Luxembourg and beyond.
Paris Reims - 48 minutes
Paris to Metz - 1 hour 27 minutes
From Paris to Nancy - 1 hour 31 minutes
Paris Strasbourg - 2 hours 18 minutes
The TGV Sud-Est (South East) Paris train departs from Gare de Lyon.
Paris Lyon - 1 hour 59 minutes
From Paris to Dijon - 1 hour 37 minutes
Alps TGV from Paris, departing from Gare de Lyon, connects with the east of France and is especially necessary for skiers in winter traveling to resorts such as Courchevel.
Paris to Grenoble - 3 hours 2 minutes
Paris to Annecy - 3 hours 48 minutes
Paris to Chambery - 2 hours 50 minutes
TGV Méditerranée trains depart from Paris from Gare de Lyon and reach Provence on the Cote d'Azur.
Paris Marseille - 3 hours 25 minutes
Paris Avignon - 3 hours 36 minutes
From Paris to Aix-en-Provence - 3 hours 8 minutes
Paris Nice - 5 hours 38 minutes
Paris Nimes - 2 hours 59 minutes
TGV Atlantique Paris trains from Montparnasse station run to the west of France.
Paris tours – 2 hours
Paris Bordeaux - 3 hours 3 minutes
Paris Toulouse - 5 hours 167 minutes
Paris Pau - 5 hours 27 minutes
Paris to Lourdes - 5 hours 55 minutes
Paris to Le Mans - 55 minutes
Paris to Rennes - 2 hours 13 minutes
Paris to Nantes - 2 hours 12 minutes

“It doesn’t matter how old your sneakers are as long as you walk around Paris in them.” So, my sneakers were two years old, I had barely turned nineteen, and we had a month of traveling around France ahead of us. Either by virtue of my character, or simply because of some tediousness, I prefer to be prepared for everything and do not like any surprises when traveling. Armed with glasses and a liter of coffee, I sat down to surf the web for information about the French railway, because I didn’t intend to stay in one place for long. After thirty minutes of intensive browsing of various sites, my glasses slipped down my nose, my coffee got cold, the expression on my face was like in a philosophy exam when I saw my ticket, and one question was spinning in my head: “FAQ?”

But everything was incomprehensible - no useful information, on one website the trains were described one by one, on the next website they were already credited with other, almost fantastic abilities, with tariffs complete darkness, and about understanding how to buy tickets through the official website of the French railways expensive, it was possible to forget. Therefore, we had to learn all the intricacies on the spot. Many years have passed since my first trip, and the situation with information on the Internet has not changed much. “A lot of bad things,” as my grandmother says. So make yourself comfortable, grab some coffee, and let’s go explore the expanses of the railways of France!

The French railway as it is

In a nutshell, it is modern and fast. It’s also not very cheap, since tickets on some routes can cost a pretty penny. Under the tutelage of the main French railway company - SNCF - there are a variety of types of trains:

  • Electric trains.
  • Express.
  • Nighttime.
  • Regional and so on.

And each type of train has an individual name, which says nothing to a tourist who hears about it for the first time. Let’s say you bought a ticket for the Teoz train, but it’s not at all clear what this train is like: is it fast, how comfortable is it, what level of service does it have? So that when traveling in France by train you are fully equipped with regard to the types of trains, I will tell you about their main categories.

Train categories

It is quite simple to classify this type of transport. There are trains that carry out transportation within the country, these include the following types of trains:

  • High speed TGV trains:
    • TGV subspecies: iDTGV;
    • OUIBUS.
  • High speed trains Ouigo (Bombardier).
  • Regional trains TER.
  • Regional trains Corail.
  • Regional trains Transilien.
  • Night trains Lunea.
  • Intercitеs trains.
  • Auto-Train.

Trains that carry out international transportation include the following types of high-speed trains:

  • Thalys.
  • TGV Lyria.
  • Eurostar.
  • Artesia.
  • Elypsos.

In turn, certain types of trains also have subtypes. I will tell you about some of them in detail, but I will ignore others because they are not very popular among tourists or have strong similarities with other compounds.

High speed TGV trains

The TGV is truly the flagship of all French railway trains. The first line on which high-speed TGV trains operated was opened 35 years ago. Since then, the number of lines served by TGV has increased significantly, and the trains themselves are constantly being modernized. High-speed trains run between major cities in France, with an average speed of 200 km/h. The speed record is 515 km/h. Here are a few examples of how long it takes to cover a distance on TGV trains:

  • From Paris to Lille in 1 hour (the distance between the cities is 220 kilometers).
  • From Marseille to Paris in 4 hours (775 kilometers).
  • From Grenoble to Paris in 3 hours (580 kilometers).
  • From Strasbourg to Paris in 2 hours (490 kilometers).

TGV train carriage classes

Train carriages are divided into first and second class.

A traveler feels the benefits of traveling in first class as soon as he or she crosses the threshold of the railway station. There is a special ticket counter for first class passengers, which means you can avoid queuing for tickets. There is also a welcome service on the platforms on weekdays that will help with boarding the train and answer any questions you may have. Even at the train stations of such large cities as Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux, Lyon, Rennes and for holders of first class tickets, access to the comfortable Grand Voyageur lounge is provided. In first class, the seats are arranged in a 2 + 1 configuration.


The seats are ultra-comfortable, with armrests and a footrest. There are sockets next to the seat, so you can connect your smartphone, laptop or water heater to it. In the first class of the TGV train, in addition to general lighting, there are also personal lights near each seat. As a bonus, passengers can read free newspapers. On some routes, cold snacks will be delivered to your place on weekdays at certain hours, and you can pay for them directly on board the train. Wi-Fi is paid - approximately 5 € per hour. So download movies to your gadgets in advance, and save yourself money on a cup of delicious coffee upon arrival.

Luggage is stored in a separate compartment. However, no one is guarding it, so it is better to lock the suitcase and not leave valuables in it. Carry them in your hand luggage, because you can put it on the shelf above your seat and keep it in your sight at all times.

There are toilets in each carriage. If the red light is on, it means it is busy and you need to wait a little. Also above the doors you can see various pictograms that will help you find this or that service on the train.


Trains can also be double-decker. It must be remembered that cars even on the same train can differ significantly from each other.


As for second class, the French railway website itself says that it is intended for simple, comfortable and friendly communication. Don't expect any frills. However, clean, comfortable and bright carriages are provided for travelers. On some routes there is paid Wi-Fi, its cost is about the same as in first class. Passenger seating scheme “2 + 2”.

TGV subspecies: iDTGV

Are you as big of a money saver as I am? Then the iDTGV train is in our area. I would, with a clear conscience, call it a low-cost train. At the moment, tickets for it can only be purchased on the French railway website, and I will tell you how to do this a little later. The same website indicates the directions along which the train will run. The cars there are divided into classes:

  • Idzen – calm, where peace and quiet should be observed.
  • Izap is noisy, designed for lovers of conversation and families with children.

When I was traveling in the idzen carriage, before the start of the journey, the conductor came into it and barked in his powerful voice that this was a quiet carriage and that silence must be observed. And everything is calm! I would say that the disadvantage of traveling on such trains is the luggage limit - you can only take two bags: hand luggage and a suitcase. Otherwise, the train is just like a train, outwardly not much different from standard TGVs.

Trains Ouigo

A kind of French low-cost novelty. The routes served by this train are still few. I am attaching a map with the main directions along which Ouigo operates.


There are no classes on this train. The seats are arranged according to the “2 + 2” pattern. When traveling, you need to take into account the baggage restrictions - one suitcase and hand luggage. You can use the sockets, but only by paying 2 €.



No food is provided here. The undoubted advantage of this option is low price, from only 10 €. Tickets can only be purchased online.

OUIBUS – brother of Ouigo

In addition to trains, SNCF also owns a fleet of buses. You've probably already thought, which way is the bus here? Did Yaro start for health, and end for peace? But not everything is so simple. My story about the French railway would be incomplete without a story about OUIBUS.

These buses are a good alternative to trains, as they duplicate the routes of some of them or completely replace trains on certain routes. This is how SNCF is fully concerned about its customers. Can't leave by train? Welcome aboard the bus! They transport OUIBUS throughout France, as well as to other European countries. A special feature is the low cost of tickets compared to the train. A trip around the country will cost from 5 €, and tickets to other countries from 15 €. Do you agree, the figures are tempting? However, buses travel much slower. For example, it takes as much as 5 hours to cover a section of 350 kilometers.

Some OUIBUS routes:

  • Paris – .
  • Paris - Nancy.

The buses are comfortable - clean interior, comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, polite staff, who, by the way, 80% of them do not speak English at all. Along the way, there is one long stop of about 25 minutes, so that you can stretch your legs a little, have a snack and run to the toilet.


Baggage allowance – one suitcase and hand luggage. There is a charge for transporting a second suitcase and this service must be registered in advance. You can buy tickets on the SNCF website or at the box office.

Regional trains TER

The abbreviation TER stands for Transport express regional. Such trains serve regional routes. While the notorious TGVs tie up big cities TER serves routes between different departments, small towns and even villages. Here is an example of several TER routes:

  • Pibrak – .
  • Paris - Laroche-Migen.

If the train is regional, this does not mean at all that it is plodding along like a turtle. Trains of this category travel at a speed of about 130 km/h.

Classes of TER train cars

There are two types of trains: with and without class divisions.

If we talk about the second class of TER trains, then one gets the feeling that the cars were designed by different engineers and designers each time, without adhering to any general provisions, because the design, as well as the number of seats, of one train car can differ significantly from a train car on another route or even from the neighbor. However, to give you an idea, I note that most often in second class there is a compartment for six people (three people per row), it is separated from the aisle by a glass door.


Also, another option for seating passengers is the arrangement of “2 + 2” seats, either in pairs behind each other or in pairs opposite each other (in this case, they are separated by a miniature table).


What about the sockets? Here you don’t have to do it once at a time; in one carriage there can be several of them for all passengers, or near each seat.

Among TER trains there are also double-decker trains. If you have large luggage, it is better to sit on the first floor - there is more space for luggage, and there are special hooks on which you can hang your bicycle.

The toilets on the trains are comfortable and clean.


So in my story I made it to first grade. Sometimes first class is a separate carriage, and sometimes it is like this, just behind a glass door.


As you can see, there is not much difference between the first and second class. The seats are arranged according to the “2 + 2” or “2 + 1” pattern, depending on the cars. True, there is still more space, and the space between the seats is also wider, and there are sockets near each seat.

Bombardier train

Bombardier is a classless train classified as TER. Layout of seats in “2 + 2” cars. There are tables near some of the seats. The highlight of this train is the huge panoramic windows. True, when he rushes at a speed of 200 km/h, you can’t really see anything in them.




The design can be called futuristic - all glass and metal. Probably, the creators wanted to make the interior of the Bombardier train something similar to the interior of a spaceship, but in my opinion, it didn’t work out.

Regional trains Corail

They are intercity express trains. There are a whole bunch of subtypes and branches of these trains with their own names, but in essence the traveler does not need them, since there is no particular fundamental difference between them. They are sent to dozens of cities in France, for example:

  • Mende.
  • Forbash.
  • Kossad.
  • Toulouse.

You may have never heard of some cities, but these trains go there. The maximum speed is 160 or 200 km/h depending on the type of train. There are older models, and there are new ones that go an order of magnitude faster. On the train, the carriages are divided into two classes: in the first, passenger seating is “1 + 2”, in the second, “2 + 2”. However, seating options may vary depending on the train model.

Regional trains Transilien

In order not to rant about this train for a long time, I will say one phrase that will put everything in its place - commuter train. Serves the Ile de France region. “Paris region” in other words. You can't go far on it, but you can explore the surroundings of the city quite well.


The train cars, of course, cannot be called super comfortable, but everything is quite clean and comfortable - you shouldn’t expect shocks from the trip. In most cases, the seating scheme for passengers is “2 + 2”.

Intercitеs trains

Another rather comfortable type of train, on which you can actually travel the length and breadth of France. They are fast, but still slightly inferior to TGV. Here are some options for popular routes served by Intercitеs trains:

  • - Deauville.
  • Paris – .
  • Paris - Blois.

The undoubted advantage of Intercitеs is that their fares are more affordable than those on the TGV. There are night and day trains.


They are divided, respectively, into first and second class. This is very similar to similar classes on TGV trains, but with some design changes. There are outlets and they will bring you food - everything is neat! On night trains, the first class is represented by compartments in which 4 passengers travel, with two shelves separated by a table, as well as the second class, the compartment of which is designed for six passengers, with three shelves separated by a table. There is a toilet and washbasin in every carriage. Everything is quite clean and tidy.

Night trains Lunea

This is an overnight train connecting various parts of France. Lunea trains travel, for example, on the following routes:

  • Paris – .
  • Paris – .

The carriages are divided into three classes. The third has completely uncomfortable folding chairs. And when my neighbor in front laid out his, my legs, which did not pretend to be of model length, had nowhere to go. The carriages have air conditioning and space for luggage, which, to be honest, is not enough. There is one toilet per carriage.

In second class there are six shelves in the compartment. Honestly, it’s too cruel for me to sleep on three floors, and it’s not far from claustrophobia. Coupes can be male or female. A friend of mine was once traveling in a women’s compartment, hoping that snoring would not be heard. Where exactly! For a long time, she, putting her hands to her heart, talked about how such miniature women could snore in no way inferior to the tractor driver Vaska, resting in the hayloft.



First class is more comfortable than its previous counterparts. This is where a standard Russian Railways coupe with a modern twist awaits. Four shelves: two upper, two lower, a table, a window - everything is like in our homeland, only not so shabby. Luggage space is standard, under the lower bunks and above the door.

Auto-Train

If you have the same difficulty parting with your car as I do with the apple strudels in the bakery window, then the Auto-Train is at your service, which will deliver the car to the station of the city you want to visit. At the moment, this option is not available on all routes, but, for example, if you go in these directions, you will be able to travel with your car:

  • Paris - Biarritz.
  • - Bordeaux.
  • Paris - Lyon.
  • Paris - Marseille.

This, of course, is not the entire list of routes on which Auto-Train operates. To use the service of transporting cars by rail, you need to first make sure that your iron horse is covered by it. They transport cars and motorcycles, but if you decide to transport a truck, this may cause slight confusion among station workers. Next, you need to deliver the vehicle to the station, entrusting it to the caring hands of the employees, and wave goodbye to the car with the words: “Goodbye may love, goodbye!” And head to your carriage yourself; upon arrival at the final point, the car will already be waiting for you.


The cost of such a service is about 120 €. You pay the standard ticket price for yourself, which depends on the destination.

Thalys trains

Thalys trains connect the French capital with the following cities:

  • Amsterdam.
  • Brussels.
  • Cologne.

The maximum speed of this train is 300 km/h. The arrangement of seats in the carriages is similar to the TGV. There are some differences in classes depending on the service. In addition to everything offered in TGV First Class, Thalys offers breakfast, snacks, lunch or dinner, and there is also a vegetarian menu. The cost of food is included in the ticket. For a snack, you can go to the dining car and eat there, or have food delivered right to your seat.


A taxi service from Paris and Brussels train stations is also provided. The conductor will call the car thirty minutes before arrival.



In second class, the seats are similar in comfort to those in first class. Internet is paid.

Trains TGV LYRIA

These are the same TGV trains, but they operate from Paris to Switzerland. Here are some popular routes they serve:

  • Paris – .
  • Paris – Zurich.
  • Paris – .

The TGV LYRIA train cars consist of two classes. In second class, the seats are opposite each other in pairs, separated by a table. The carriages have vending machines for purchasing food or drinks. If you want to eat more, you can take a trip to the dining car and replenish your calorie reserves with delicious food.


Also, the trains have a special system installed that prevents luggage theft. Personally, they don’t convince me and I keep my camera, money, and “golden diamonds” to myself. First class includes the amenities of second class and has a number of additional services:

  • Electrical socket near each chair.
  • There is a larger gap between the leg seats compared to second class.
  • Spacious seats. For some reason this is always something that gets special attention. If you are a good person and there are many of you, this class is just for you.
  • Free drinks and snacks. How about free? They are already included in the price of your ticket and will be delivered directly to your seat.
  • Fresh press. This is where knowledge of languages ​​is needed.

In first class, there are two options for boarding passengers:

  • Solo – single chairs next to each other.
  • Duo club - two chairs opposite each other, separated by a table.

Eurostar high speed trains

They are owned by the railway company of the same name, which carries out transportation throughout Europe and partly through the territory of France, also connecting it with other countries. Routes served by Eurostar trains:

  • Paris - London.
  • – Lille – Calais – .
  • Marne-la-Vallée - Lille - Calais - (summer only).
  • – French Alps (terminal station Avignon).

I won’t dwell on the “inner world” of the train, the classes and the arrangement of seats, all this is similar to the TGV train, only the Eurostar trains are longer and technically adapted to travel in tunnels.

Artesia high speed trains

Artesia trains connect France and Italy. Popular routes:

  • Paris – .
  • Lyon – .

There are both day and night trains. In daytime, boarding is standard: in second class according to the “2 + 2” scheme, in first class – “2 + 1”. Nice touches in the form of air conditioning, vending machines, and in first class personal lamps, folding seats and power sockets are included. Sleeping cars are divided into compartments in which six or four people travel. You can also travel alone in a compartment or in the company of two or three people. However, the availability of such seats on the train must be clarified in advance. To be honest, it was not possible to travel to Italy by night train, so I can’t say about the division of the compartments into men’s and women’s, but most likely it exists, although it is better to clarify this point when purchasing a ticket.

Elypsos high speed trains

Have you read Murder on the Orient Express to King? Want to experience that enchanting atmosphere with a modern twist and without the tragedy? Then board the Elipsos, a luxury hotel train. Elipsos is the brainchild of the French and Spanish railways. Main train routes:

  • Paris – .
  • Paris–.
  • - Zurich.

These trains have personal names. I had the opportunity to travel on the Joan Miró train, named after the famous surrealist. I really like to travel on night trains, as it saves money that I would have to pay for an overnight stay in a hotel, and most importantly, it saves precious daytime, because not everyone likes to watch the flickering landscapes outside the window. There are 4 classes on the trains:

  • Gran Class (grand class).
  • Club Class (1st class).
  • Tourist Class (2nd class).
  • Cars with seats.

Gran Class

In it you can travel like a proud baobab, alone in a private compartment (they are designed for one or two people). There is also a toilet, sink and shower. The press is served.


Club Class

This class offers two-seater compartments for men, women or families. But there were such dark times when you would be traveling in one compartment, and your companion or companion behind the wall or in another carriage altogether. There is also air conditioning and a washbasin. There is one toilet per carriage.


Lucky ticket holders in this and previous classes have access to VIP lounges at Madrid and Milan train stations and free parking.

Tourist Class

Coupe for four people. Male or female. Compartments are also being formed for families or people traveling together and knowing each other. Amenities include air conditioning and a newspaper. There is one toilet per carriage.


Cars with seats

The carriage is equipped with 20 folding seats. There is a footrest and a lamp in case you decide to stay up for more romance and plunge into reading a detective story, where the plot revolves around a similar journey that took place many decades ago. There is plenty of space for your belongings, air conditioning and a press.

Dining car

He works until two o'clock in the morning. The food is delicious. During the day, the carriage is like a carriage, but in the evening... In the evening I was getting ready to go at about eleven o’clock to have some chicken and sauce, when my friend said: “Yaro, you should put on this, well, a dress, and do something more decent on your head.” I let my mane down, put on my least wrinkled dress and headed to the restaurant. No, there were no travelers in evening dresses or tuxedos, but I didn’t notice any visitors in sweatpants either. Everyone tried to look their best, probably soaking up the atmosphere of the night journey on a luxury train.


Having dealt with all the intricacies of trains and carriages, I’ll move on to an equally pressing issue – ticket tariffs.

French railway tariffs

If you expect that only a few types of tariffs await you, then this is not the case! Most categories of trains (not all, of course), are subject to various specific variations. If it's not the train, it's the new tariff rules. You can go crazy if you are not privy to this whole thing! So let's get into it.

I will talk about the three main tariffs at which you will be offered to buy a ticket for virtually any train on the railway website or at the ticket office, as well as special additions that apply to some categories of trains. The most popular among tourists are:

  • TGV trains.
  • Eurostar trains.
  • Thalys trains.

But first things first, let's start with the “standard tariffs” that apply when purchasing the vast majority of tickets in France. I'll explain everything clearly. In the image below you can see part of the flight schedule for the route Paris - Lille.


At the top above the prices are indicated tariffs in different colors: light blue, dark blue and purple. Perhaps these colors are called something else, like aquamarine or violet, but my eye sees the spectrum exactly like that. Depending on the tariff, the ticket price increases. So, a little about each.

Tariff Non exchangeable

Translated, it means “not subject to exchange.” And, in fact, that says it all. It is impossible to return or exchange a ticket purchased at this rate. But the prices for such tickets are minimal.

Trif Exchangeable conditions apply

Here tickets are already subject to exchange, but with certain conditions. In order to find out these conditions, you need to click on the ticket price, and all the details will open in front of you. For example, on this route you can exchange a ticket thirty days before departure (return the ticket or return it) by paying a fee of 5 €. But for the day and on the day of the trip this amount will increase to 15 €. If you decide to exchange your ticket for a more expensive one, the difference in cost will simply be added to this amount. It is not possible to return or exchange a ticket after the train has departed.

Flexible tariff

With it, the ticket can be returned free of charge until the day of train departure. It can also be returned or exchanged without commission within two hours after the train departs directly at the departure station.

***

These simple tariffs apply to most train tickets in France. Now I turn to the story about more specific details.


Tariff rules on TGV trains

You can buy a TGVI train ticket at the following rates:

  • Prem's.
  • Loisir.

Let's look at each in more detail.

Prem"s tariff

Suitable for the most “monolithic” travelers who plan their trips and buy tickets in advance. At this rate you can buy the cheapest tickets. Peculiarities:

  • The opportunity to buy tickets three months before the expected departure date, because it is ninety days before sales at this rate begin, and it closes two weeks before the train’s departure date.
  • Limited number of seats - not all routes have tickets at this rate, and there may be very few seats at Prem"s.
  • The ticket cannot be returned or exchanged. It’s absolutely impossible, no matter how you look at it, and even 50% of the cost of the ticket will not be returned to you.
  • Several times a year, SNCF organizes a global sale of tickets at this rate, and at such times you can ride around France for almost nothing.

Loisir tariff

It can be characterized by a good price and relative flexibility. Features of the Loisir tariff:

  • Tickets can be returned or exchanged, but this can be done a maximum of 24 hours before the train departs. If you decide to change your ticket or return it on the day of departure, 10 € will be deducted from the ticket price.
  • If you miss the train, you will not be able to return or exchange your ticket.
  • Quantity is limited.

Tariff Pro

This is the most suitable option for flighty and fickle people like me - today I plan one thing, tomorrow it’s something else. The most flexible tariff, but the prices cannot be called low. Peculiarities:

  • The ticket can be returned or exchanged within two hours after the train leaves the station. Missed the train while holding a Pro fare ticket? No problem! You take it to the cashier or exchange it. However, I would like to note that on the day of train departure, the ticket can only be changed at the ticket office of the station from which your train departs.
  • Pro also includes exclusive services in first class. Food to your chair and so on.
  • The number of Tickets at this rate, as my nephew says: “well, just pile up!”

Eurostar train fares

There are three main types of train fares, which also depend on your age. I'll start with the main ones:

Flexible tariff (Flexi)

Available in business class. A ticket purchased at this fare is simply incredibly flexible: it can be returned or exchanged within two months after the train departure date. And all without any commissions.

Semi-flexi tariff

It is intended for first and second class passengers. The ticket can also be returned or exchanged within two months after the expected date of travel, but you need to pay a fee of 40 €.

Non-flexi tariff

First and second class travelers who have purchased a ticket at this fare cannot return or exchange it. However, travel will cost much less than purchased through Flexi or Semi-flexi.

Benefits depending on age

Yes, on trains, how old you are can play into your favor and save you some money. There are the following rates depending on age:

  • Children's. Designed for people from 4 to 11 years old. Cannot be returned or exchanged.
  • Youth. It can be used by people aged 12 to 25 years.
  • Tariff for people of the third age. When I saw this wording on the website of the French railway, I was truly offended. So why are you 60 years old? I plan to be an advanced and lively lady in these years, and not a person of the third age. Well, okay, that's not the point. Passengers over 60 years of age have full rights to travel at this rate.

What kind of discounts does this imply? You can find out the details when purchasing a ticket online by checking the required age box or telling the cashier.

Thalys train fares

A bit like Eurostar train fares. There are three main ones, and there are also those that depend on age. And by tradition, I’ll start with the main ones:

Flexible tariff (Flex)

You can buy a ticket at this rate for first class, and then go there and enjoy the comfort. Main characteristics of this tariff:

  • The ticket can be purchased up to the day of train departure.
  • It can be exchanged for free as many times as you like before the train departs and for another hour after that. However, this can only be done at stations where Thalys trains depart.
  • The ticket can be returned free of charge within an hour after the train departs. If you do not meet this deadline, you will have to pay a fee of 50% to return the ticket.

Semi-flexible tariff

This tariff combines flexibility and relatively low ticket prices. You can buy a ticket:

  • Buy only one way and only if there are free seats until the day of train departure.
  • Exchange once until the train departs.
  • Return before the train departs and within an hour after it.
  • Buy the sooner, the lower the cost.
  • Purchase only for first class.

Non-flexible tariff

This tariff is characterized by minimal flexibility, but a very attractive price. Peculiarities:

  • Tickets cannot be refunded at this rate.
  • The sale closes two days before the train departs.
  • Available only in second class.

Age

There are also two tariffs depending on the age of passengers:

  • Youth tariff. For passengers aged 12 to 25 years. Available in first and second class. You can exchange your ticket once before the train departs.
  • Tariff for people of the third age. It is similar to the one I described in the section about Eurostar tariffs. The rules for exchange and return are similar to the rules in the youth tariff.
  • Children travel according to standard rules: under 4 years old free.

Here, perhaps, are all the intricacies that a tourist needs to know. If you need to find out whether there are special tariffs for other categories of trains, this can be done in a few clicks by entering the name of the train in a search engine and going to the official page of the carrier company.

How to save money while traveling

This is a pressing question, since train tickets in France can hardly be called cheap. If you read carefully about the tariffs, then I think you already have your first thoughts on this matter, and I will try to summarize them and add something new.

Buy tickets in advance

You need to buy tickets as early as possible so you can save money. On the day of departure, the purchase will cost you 80 €, but if you bought it in, for example, three weeks, you would have to pay only 40 €.


Significant difference? Otherwise!

Selecting a car class

First or second class? Yes, of course, the second one, if the additional 5 centimeters between the aisles and 3 centimeters wider seats are not important to you. Don’t get too carried away with frog legs and buns and ride quite comfortably in the second class cabin, because, in my opinion, the most significant difference between classes is the difference in ticket prices.

Age of passengers

I have already talked about this above. Children, youth under 25 years of age, and passengers over 60 years of age are always entitled to discounts.


And children under four years old travel for free, sitting on their parents’ laps.

Purchasing tickets on the website

For some trains, tickets can only be purchased on the website. But that’s not the point, the point is that when buying tickets online, you can calmly consider everything and choose the most convenient and cheapest option. But when you buy a ticket at the box office, there is noise and commotion all around, the cashier barely understands your attempts to express yourself in a language you don’t understand, and someone is constantly poking you in the back so that you hurry up. In such conditions, it is not always possible to buy the “right” ticket. Sometimes you want to quickly get out of there, taking just any one.

Traveling in groups

Sometimes you can get discounts when traveling even in a small group of three people.


The possibilities of such a trip should be checked at the ticket office or on the railway website.

Travel cards

I would like to highlight this moment separately. As for me, all these maps are such a treat if you are in France for three days and are only going to make a couple of trips by train. But if you decide to stay longer in this country and travel a lot by train, they may come in handy. There are a great variety of maps, and most of them are convenient for the French themselves. But I advise tourists to pay attention to InterRail pass cards. In France there are two types:

  • InterRail Global pass – you can use it to enjoy a breeze in thirty European countries.
  • InterRail France pass – you can travel with this card only within the territory of France.

I’ll talk about the latter in more detail. If you think that you can ride on it all month long, then I hasten to disappoint you, it is only effective for a few days. Below is the cost for second and first classes.


You can get a card at the ticket offices of major train stations in the country or on the website. Before purchasing, you need to weigh everything well. You can buy a card if:

  • There are large-scale plans to travel around Europe or France.
  • If you are under 26 years old, then according to the rules you can receive even additional discounts. The difference in ticket prices for youth and adults can be seen from the table.

Do not buy a card if:

  • You have planned a single or several small trips.
  • You are planning your trip several months in advance. In this case, it is easier and more profitable to buy tickets with discounts.

Traveling like clockwork

Here I will draw attention to several important points regarding a comfortable trip. So, for the trip to go smoothly, you need to:

  • Take into account delays and emergency situations.
  • Validate the ticket (not in all cases).
  • Take care of your ticket.
  • Know where the train departs from.

I will dwell in a little more detail on each of these points, because observing them is the key to your successful journey.

Delays and emergency situations

I remember how I rushed to catch the train to Lyon. I didn’t even run the 100-meter race at the school Olympiad in physics. If physical teacher Alexander Nikolaevich had seen me chasing a train, he would not have believed that I was able to reach such a speed. But there was no point in running - the ticket was bought at an inflexible fare - I was late and that’s it, the ticket was gone, no exchange, no return. Fortunately, I made it in time. I still remember the conductor’s eyes and the surprised expression: “Crazy gyorl!” So, so that you are not considered crazy, plan your arrival at the station in advance. And check your alarms.

Another type of delay is delayed trains. This is rare, but it happens. If you just have to wait an extra five minutes for the train, then it’s nothing, but if you have a flight with a transfer, and to your horror you realize that you don’t have time for it and only for some measly three minutes – this is very disappointing. So plan your flights so that you have enough time in case the train is late.


Now let's move on to emergency situations. This is what I modestly called the strikes of railway workers. I remember in my third year of university I took labor law twice, by the way, I got an A. So, one of the articles of the Labor Code stated that workers have the right to defend their working rights, and a strike is one of the legal ways to do this. French railway workers actually make heavy use of this article. And they defend their rights.


I know everything from the same Code that workers must warn the “bosses” about a strike several days in advance. Therefore, in most cases, passengers will also be warned, and letters of apology will be sent to the post office. Not all trains are cancelled, but only some of them. Therefore, you will probably still leave where you need to go, but a few hours later. That's how things are. We'll make sure you don't come across them during your trip.

Validate ticket

Naturally, tickets need to be validated. But not all! You can refuse this procedure if the date and time of the trip are indicated, then it is clear that the ticket was purchased for only one flight and you will not be able to ride on it for a long time.

If you bought a flexible fare pass, and it is still valid for a whole lot of time, then, naturally, you need to somehow prove that you are going to make the trip. Also, some non-validated tickets for a specific train may be valid for another month in this direction. But it’s better to check this at the box office or on the website when purchasing.

With a validated ticket you can leave during the day when it was “punched”. And if you don’t compost, you face a fine. But more on that below. There is also no need to subject electronic e-tickets to this procedure. They are printed on an A-4 sheet at your home, and on such a ticket there is a code, which, in fact, is scanned by the controller on the train. Well, I’ll tell you another reliable method on how not to make a mistake with composting. If your document bears the inscription “A composter avant l"acces au train”, it means that the ticket needs to be validated. This can be done in the yellow machines located at the station. The ticket must be inserted into the slot, and the machine will “punch” it.


If you did not listen to all my admonitions about punctuality and ran to the train so that you did not have time or forgot to validate your ticket, an SNCF employee will come to your rescue, who will board the train before the trip. No, this is not a controller, but a person who will validate your ticket. Call out to him: “Sorry, monsieur!” - and then give your ticket, he will put his autograph and seal.

Take care of your ticket

Don't lose your travel document. You don’t need to put it in your back pocket of jeans or an overfilled wallet, twist it into a tube or use it like a fan – it will fly away somewhere and that’s it! And somewhere behind you an inexorable inspector is approaching, and you can’t do without a fine.


The fine for traveling without a ticket and not having a validated ticket is equal to double the cost of the trip. And, it seems to me, this is a very powerful argument for not freeloading and taking care of your things!

Know where the train departs from

Oh, how many tourists I have seen rushing around the station and not knowing where the trains were leaving from! Yes, I myself was once like that, but everything comes with experience and stories from fellow travelers. Navigation at French train stations is well developed. There are screens everywhere that display all the necessary information about trains.

Path, in French - “voie”. Paths are designated either by numbers (1, 2, 3) or letters (A, B, C). Finding the one you need is quite easy, but you can also validate the ticket. If a carriage is indicated on it, you should find it, but the trick is that there are no numberings on the trains themselves. Like a curious Pinocchio, you need to look into the vestibule, look at the carriage number on the doors from the inside, and it is also written in small print. Seat numbers are indicated on a small LCD screen and may vary from trip to trip.


Having finished with the theory, let's move on to practice. Next, I will tell you how you can buy train tickets in France.

Buying tickets

There are three main ways to purchase tickets, and I will describe them all to you in detail, and you can choose which one you like best and go to battle! So, at the moment, travelers have three purchasing options:

  • At the ticket office of one of the French train stations.
  • In a special machine.
  • On the SNCF website.

Looking ahead, I’ll say that on the website you have several options on how to get a ticket:

  • Electronic ticket, also known as e-ticket. The scheme is quite simple. You buy a ticket on the website, receive it by email, print it out, take it, as well as your identification documents, with you on the train and present it to the controller.
  • Get a ticket at the box office using the information sent by email. This can be done at any ticket office, and not just at the station from which you are departing, on any day.
  • Receiving a ticket from a machine. The system is also simple - you need to enter the four-digit code that you received after paying on the site. Next, information about the ticket will appear on the machine screen. Then you will be asked to insert the bank card you used to pay and enter your PIN code. The system will check the card, give it back to you and print the travel card.
  • Book a ticket and then pay for it at the ticket office or machine. Everything is simple here. We book a ticket on the website, receive the necessary payment information by email, and then deposit money at the ticket office or machine. Personally, I don't find this option convenient.
  • Receiving a ticket by mail. Not by email, but by paper. Knowing my postman, I would never take the risk. You understand that problems may arise when sending tickets, and they may simply be lost.

These are the main options. In most cases, when purchasing a ticket, not all methods are available, but only a few. Personally, I think that e-ticket and printing a ticket from a machine are more convenient.

Already knowing how you can get tickets, let's move directly to the purchase options.

At the register

Cashiers mostly speak French, but only a few can speak English. Personally, I’m not a big fan of buying tickets at the box office: it’s noisy, there’s a line, and it’s not always possible to understand what they want from you. So I write a note to the cashier.

On the piece of paper I indicate the following information:

  • Departure date.
  • Departure time.
  • Departure station.
  • Arrival station.
  • Desired tariff.
  • The final cost of the ticket.

This greatly simplifies the entire procedure. True, one time there was a funny situation when the cashier thought that I was deaf and mute, and decided to show that he was not blind, and demonstrated all his knowledge of sign language. I, having decided to play along with him and knowing only how to say: “Hello!”, “Bye!”, “I’m glad to see you” in Russian sign language, showed all this to him and we both left satisfied with ourselves.

In special machines

These machines are located at almost all train stations. They are called Automatic Ticket Machine, painted yellow and hard to miss. This is what they look like.


How to use this representative of robotics? Attached step by step instructions. To begin, click on the Depart immediate button.


Now, first of all, select the name of the station from which the train departs and the station where you need to arrive.


Now you need to enter the date for which you are planning to travel. To do this, simply select the day of the month.



Next, a page opens on which you need to select the number of passengers. And click Valider. This is the action confirmation button, and it is what you need to press in other cases to go to the next page.


Now let's select a class. As for me, there is nothing to think about - the second one. We travel in comfort and save money.





Now you need to pay for tickets by card or cash.


We insert the card or cash into the receiver.



On the SNCF website

If you want to buy a ticket here and now, then... Follow me! First of all, go to the SNCF website. My default language is English, but if you have French specified, you can change it in the upper right corner. Next, click on the Reservations tab.


A window appears in front of us where we need to enter the place of departure, place of arrival, date, as well as the time from which we want to leave. You also need to indicate the number of passengers (by clicking on the plus sign located in the gray rectangle), age, whether you have any special travel cards and whether you participate in the loyalty program. We also choose a class.

I want to travel from Paris to second class because I don’t want to overpay. Accordingly, I select these cities, but I do not enter the names of the stations, I simply select all stations. As a “true traveler,” I buy my ticket a month before the trip in order to save myself money on candy. After filling out all the fields, click Search.


The system searches for the required flights for a couple of seconds, and a window with flights and fares appears in front of you. There are many options, every hour, there is plenty to choose from. I want to travel on the 9:46 flight on a non-refundable ticket. By the way, in red on the screen you can see the special offer for the Ouigo train for 10 €, which I told you about above.


By clicking Choose your seat, you can choose the location of your seat. I’m a fan of traveling by the window, so I click on this option.


Next, I click Select this outbound journey, which in translation means: “select this journey.” Now a window appears with more detailed information about the trip. Then I know that I will be riding near the window on double seat No. 26.



A window appears in which you need to enter your data. In the first block, we select the method of how we want to pick up the ticket. I talked about all this above. I choose the option to print the ticket from the machine.


The second block says that the ticket is strictly personal, and you need to enter your first name, last name and date of birth. In the third block, this data is duplicated, plus you need to enter your email address. Don't forget to check the box confirming that you have read all the terms of sale and also agree to them.


Here is the final point - entering payment information. All you have to do is wait until a special code arrives in the mail, and in our case, print out the ticket from the machine during the trip.


It is not necessary to register to purchase on the site. In my opinion, the French railway website is one of the most user-friendly of similar resources in the world.

Conclusion

This is what the French railway is like - with many trains, tariffs and rules. I hope I helped you figure it all out! To summarize, I would advise buying tickets in advance, traveling second class, and adhering to the basic rules for railway passengers - this will make your travel more economical and enjoyable. Bon Voyage!

.

Anything to add?