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Train travel in France

France uses TGV INOUI and OUIGO for high-speed travel, INTERCITÉS on longer routes and TER regionally; most high-speed trains require advance seat reservations.

Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris at dusk
Stations
15
Main operators
4
Routes covered
66
Rail passes valid
4

Rail travel in numbers

Reporting year

Open the country table and source notes

France is easier to cross by train when you choose the service for the journey rather than treating every ticket as interchangeable. TGV INOUI and OUIGO handle high-speed travel, INTERCITÉS covers longer conventional routes, and TER serves regional journeys. SNCF Voyageurs says certain French high-speed lines reach a maximum recorded speed of 320 km/h; treat that as a line capability, not your journey time.

Choose the train type

TGV INOUI links more than 200 destinations in France and Europe. It is the full-service high-speed option. OUIGO is SNCF Voyageurs' lower-fare offer, with seat choice, extra baggage and other options sold separately on the services that offer them. INTERCITÉS runs day and night trains on longer routes, while TER connects regional destinations. Transilien covers trains and RER services in Île-de-France.

The service name matters because each type has its own fare and after-sales conditions. A connection that combines TGV, OUIGO or TER can therefore have different rules on each part.

Book the exact journey

SNCF Connect's website and app let you enter the departure and arrival stations and compare the available TGV INOUI and OUIGO journeys. Read the conditions shown for the selected train: low-cost options can charge separately for extras, and regional fares can be set by the region. For an international leg, also check the carrier named in the result.

Paris has several major stations, so use the station shown in your itinerary rather than assuming every train leaves from the same place. For a change, allow time to find the next platform and confirm the departure board.

Use Interrail or Eurail carefully

Interrail and Eurail passes can cover eligible French services, but a pass is not a seat reservation. Most French high-speed trains require an advance reservation, and the reservation fee is separate from the pass. Eurail lists domestic and international TGV, INTERCITÉS and some TER services in its French reservation system. Use the pass planner to check inclusion and secure a place before a busy departure.

Prices, currency and reservations

French tickets are priced in euros. The amount depends on the train, route, date and availability, so compare the exact departure instead of relying on a generic fare. TGV INOUI, OUIGO, INTERCITÉS and TER do not share one set of conditions; the carrier's booking page is the final reference for exchange, refund, baggage and reservation terms.

For a simple regional trip, TER may be the practical choice. For a long cross-country journey, compare the faster TGV INOUI with the lower-fare OUIGO offer and include any extras you need in the total.

Where to book

Train tickets

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Train service

Main routes in France

Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetAmsterdam to Paris by trainAmsterdam to Paris by Eurostar: direct trains in around 3 hours 15 to 3 hours 35 minutes. Around 10 direct departures daily, from Centraal to Gare du Nord. Advance Standard fares from €35.Promenade des Anglais and coastline in NiceBarcelona to Nice by trainNo direct trains run from Barcelona to Nice. Plan at least one change, usually Marseille. Journey times from ~7h10 to 13+ hours. Fares from €103.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetBarcelona to Paris by trainTGV inOui trains run directly from Barcelona Sants to Paris Gare de Lyon. The journey takes roughly 6 hours 44 to 50 minutes over 1,073 km. Tickets start from €69 for one person, one way, in second class on selected trains and dates, subject to availability. Two services run each way on most days. Interrail and Eurail passes are valid, but a mandatory seat reservation costing €35 per person is required.Gare du Nord train station in ParisBasel to Paris by trainTGV Lyria, a joint SNCF and SBB service, runs six direct trains a day between Basel and Paris in about 3 hours 4 minutes (08:34 to 18:34), with clear guidance on which Basel station to use, fares in both CHF and EUR, and Interrail/Eurail pass eligibility.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetBerlin to Paris by trainHow to travel from Berlin to Paris by train. The daily direct ICE takes around 8 hours from Berlin Hbf to Paris Gare de l’Est. For an overnight option, the European Sleeper night train runs three times a week. Covers tickets, Interrail reservations, and which Paris station to aim for.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetBordeaux to Paris by trainBordeaux to Paris by TGV INOUI in as little as 2h08m. OUIGO from €16. Around 29 direct trains daily. All tickets require a mandatory seat reservation.Lyon rooftops with cathedral towers and a distant Ferris wheelBrussels to Lyon by trainDirect TGV INOUI trains run from Brussels-Midi to Lyon Part-Dieu in around 3 hours 54 minutes to 4 hours, with approximately five to six direct departures each day. Advance second-class fares typically start around €70 to €80. Interrail and Eurail passes are valid but require a mandatory paid seat reservation.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetBrussels to Paris by trainBrussels to Paris by direct Eurostar in 1 hour 22 minutes. Up to 22 daily departures on the 264 km route. Advance Standard class fares from around €29.Sand dune path leading to a beach along the English Channel coastDover to Calais by trainNo direct train from Dover to Calais. Options include the train-and-ferry combo, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, or Eurostar via London St Pancras.Gare du Nord train station in ParisFlorence to Paris by trainFlorence and Paris need one change either way: stay with Trenitalia via Milan for a rebooking guarantee, or swap onto the SNCF TGV at Turin for a slightly quicker option that drops that protection. This page covers both routes, the stations at each end (Paris arrives at Gare de Lyon, not Gare du Nord), the Interrail and Eurail reservation fee gap between the two operators, and the Chambéry to Modane line closure running 12 September to 9 October 2026.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetFrankfurt to Paris by trainFrankfurt to Paris: direct DB ICE trains in ~3h45m to 4h. Advance fares from €39 to 50 in 2nd class. No changes needed.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetGeneva to Paris by trainTravel from Geneva to Paris on direct TGV Lyria trains in about 3 hours 13 minutes, with Geneva Cornavin, Paris Gare de Lyon, fares, and station advice.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetLa Rochelle to Paris by trainLa Rochelle to Paris trains run mostly direct, about eight times a day, taking as little as 2 hours 40 minutes on the fastest departure. A handful of daily trains connect once at Poitiers instead. Fares start from EUR 16, and the route is shared by SNCF Voyageurs' TGV INOUI and its low-cost OUIGO brand, arriving at Paris Montparnasse.Place de la Bourse and water mirror in Bordeaux at nightLaval to Bordeaux by trainThere is no direct train from Laval to Bordeaux. All journeys require at least one change, usually at Paris Montparnasse, with SNCF TGV INOUI and Intercités services. Fastest connections take around 4 hours.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetLondon to Paris by trainLondon to Paris by Eurostar in 2h16m. Up to 16 daily departures from 05:40. Trains reach 300 km/h with 90% arriving on time or within 15 minutes.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetLuxembourg to Paris by trainLuxembourg to Paris by train usually takes around 3 hours 20 minutes, with the fastest connection around 2 hours 53 minutes via a change of train at Metz. Choose from TGV INOUI, budget OUIGO or regional TER services.Montpellier cityscape, the destination for this Lyon to Montpellier train journeyLyon to Montpellier by trainLyon to Montpellier is a direct, roughly two-hour journey on OUIGO or TGV INOUI, but Montpellier has two stations that are not interchangeable, so this guide leads with which one your ticket actually uses.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetLyon to Paris by trainTravel from Lyon to Paris with direct TGV INOUI and OUIGO services, around 2h 14m on average, flexible station choices, and practical fare advice.Toulouse riverfront at sunset with a Ferris wheel and domed buildingLyon to Toulouse by trainLyon to Toulouse by direct TGV INOUI in around 4 hours 10 minutes. Advance fares from around €48. Around 3 direct services daily, operated by SNCF.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetMadrid to Paris by trainThere is no direct train from Madrid to Paris, but the connection through Barcelona Sants is straightforward: a Renfe AVE to Barcelona, then an SNCF TGV on to Paris Gare de Lyon.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetMarseille to Paris by trainMarseille to Paris trains run directly all day, up to 24 times daily, with the fastest journey taking 3 hours 3 minutes and the average closer to 3 hours 57 minutes. OUIGO and TGV INOUI both cover the route between Marseille Saint-Charles and Paris Gare de Lyon, with OUIGO fares starting from EUR 16.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetMilan to Paris by trainA direct train from Milan to Paris covers 640 km in around 6h50m. One of Europe’s most scenic high-speed routes in 2026.Promenade des Anglais and coastline in NiceMonaco to Nice by trainThe Monaco to Nice train is a short, frequent, direct coastal hop on TER Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, taking about 22 to 24 minutes between Monaco Monte-Carlo and Nice-Ville.Lyon rooftops with cathedral towers and a distant Ferris wheelMontpellier to Lyon by trainDirect TGV INOUI trains from Montpellier to Lyon take as little as 1 hour 40 minutes. Ouigo offers cheaper fares. Departs from Montpellier Saint-Roch or Sud de France, arriving at Lyon Part-Dieu.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetMunich to Paris by trainOne direct TGV INOUI runs daily from Munich Hbf to Paris Gare de l’Est in around 5 hours 40 minutes. ICE connections add more options, from around €40.Cityscape of Barcelona, SpainNice to Barcelona by trainThere is no direct train from Nice to Barcelona. SNCF Connect's own routing needs two changes and takes about 8 hours 7 minutes at best, but Renfe runs a faster, non-stop AVE from Marseille to Barcelona that SNCF does not sell, so a second, separately booked option can beat it on time with only one change.Monaco harbor and hillside skyline overlooking the MediterraneanNice to Monaco by trainDirect TER trains from Nice to Monaco take 22 to 25 minutes, with fares around €4 to €7. No reservation needed. Trains run roughly every 15 to 30 minutes from Nice-Ville throughout the day.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetNice to Paris by trainPlan a Nice to Paris train journey with direct services, around 12 daily departures, fares from €19 on OUIGO, and practical station and luggage advice.Amsterdam canal houses and houseboats illuminated at nightParis to Amsterdam by trainParis to Amsterdam is served by direct trains between Paris Gare du Nord and Amsterdam-Centraal with the fastest direct journey about 3 hours 20 minutes. Eurostar and SNCF Voyageurs operate trains on this route.Temple of the Sacred Heart on Tibidabo hill in Barcelona at sunsetParis to Barcelona by trainParis to Barcelona: 1 direct TGV most days takes 6h45m to 7h. Advance fares from €39 to 49 in 2nd class.Cityscape of Basel, SwitzerlandParis to Basel by trainSix direct TGV Lyria trains run Paris Gare de Lyon to Basel SBB daily in around 3h 04m, with advance fares from €40.Panoramic aerial view of Bologna's old town and surrounding hillsParis to Bologna by trainParis to Bologna by train takes 8 to 9 hours with one change in Turin or Milan. Compare TGV INOUI and Frecciarossa options, fares from EUR 50, and pass rules.Place de la Bourse and water mirror in Bordeaux at nightParis to Bordeaux by trainParis to Bordeaux by TGV INOUI in as little as 2h 08m. OUIGO from €16. Around 29 direct trains daily. All tickets require a mandatory seat reservation.Petit Minou lighthouse at the entrance to the harbour of Brest, FranceParis to Brest by trainParis to Brest by train is a direct route from Paris Montparnasse to Brest. Fastest trains take 3h31, with TGV INOUI and OUIGO options.Ornate guild house facades on Brussels' Grand PlaceParis to Brussels by trainParis to Brussels is served by direct trains between Paris Gare du Nord and Bruxelles-Midi with the fastest direct journey about 1 hour 22 minutes. Eurostar and SNCF Voyageurs operate trains on this route.Nyhavn harbor in CopenhagenParis to Copenhagen by trainParis to Copenhagen by train has no direct service. Travel via Germany and Hamburg, then continue to Copenhagen Central with DB and DSB.Florence Cathedral dome and bell tower rising above the rooftopsParis to Florence by trainParis to Florence has no direct train, change in Milan or Turin. Journey takes 9h20m to 12h30m. Advance fares from €80 to €110 in 2nd class.Geneva waterfront skyline at sunsetParis to Geneva by trainTGV Lyria runs Paris to Geneva in 3 hours 11 minutes, with up to 8 direct services a day. Standard class advance fares start from around €29; the average fare on the day of travel is around €132.View of La Rochelle, FranceParis to La Rochelle by trainDirect trains from Paris to La Rochelle in 2h 41min. Up to 15 daily departures from Paris Gare Montparnasse. Advance tickets from 35 EUR.Cityscape of Luxembourg, LuxembourgParis to Luxembourg by trainTravel from Paris Est to Luxembourg in as little as 2h 11m on a direct TGV INOUI train. Around 11 departures run daily, with a 2h 33m average journey.Lyon rooftops with cathedral towers and a distant Ferris wheelParis to Lyon by trainDirect TGV INOUI and OUIGO trains link Paris and Lyon in about 2 hours, with around 25 to 30 departures a day. Advance fares from the €20s; book early.Madrid's Gran Via street at dusk with the Metropolis BuildingParis to Madrid by trainNo direct train runs from Paris to Madrid. Travel via Barcelona-Sants in around 10 hours. Tickets, passes, operators and booking tips explained.View of Malmö, SwedenParis to Malmo by trainTravel Paris to Malmö by train via Germany, Hamburg and Copenhagen. Compare day and overnight options, fares and pass reservations.Marseille's Old Port with Notre-Dame de la Garde in the distanceParis to Marseille by trainTGV INOUI covers the 742 km in as little as 3 hours 4 minutes. OUIGO runs from €16 and departs from Paris Gare de Lyon on most services. Up to 24 SNCF trains daily, plus Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa. Overnight couchette from around €29.View of Montpellier, FranceParis to Montpellier by trainDirect TGV from Paris to Montpellier in as little as 3h 13m. Up to 23 daily departures on TGV INOUI and OUIGO. Advance tickets from €35 on OUIGO.Aerial view of Munich Marienplatz and church towers at sunsetParis to Munich by trainThere is one direct train from Paris to Munich each day: a TGV inOui departing Paris Gare de l’Est at 15:55 and arriving München Hbf at 21:46, a journey of 5 hours 51 minutes. Connecting ICE services via Stuttgart, Mannheim, or Karlsruhe add more departure windows, with journey times of approximately 6 hours 9 minutes to 6 hours 34 minutes. The overnight Nightjet on this route was withdrawn from the December 2025 timetable change.View of Nantes, FranceParis to Nantes by trainParis to Nantes by train takes about 2 hours on the fastest direct services, with TGV INOUI, OUIGO and slower Train Classique options.Promenade des Anglais and coastline in NiceParis to Nice by trainParis to Nice by TGV in about 5h45m over 578 miles. Tickets start from €45 in second class or €79 in first class when booked early.View of Oslo, NorwayParis to Oslo by trainParis to Oslo by train is a two-day route via Hamburg, Copenhagen, and Sweden, with a Malmö-Oslo direct train from 15 June 2026.Statue detail at Rome's Vittoriano monument with St. Peter's dome in the distanceParis to Rome by trainThere is no direct train from Paris to Rome, but a single change gets you there in about 10 hours 10 minutes on Trenitalia or a Trenitalia/TGV combination, with a clear route choice, a station guide, and the Chambéry-Modane closure dates.Stockholm's Gamla Stan waterfront at sunsetParis to Stockholm by trainNo direct Paris-Stockholm train: go via Hamburg, then choose a sleeper or Snälltåget day train to Stockholm. Reservations matter for passes.View of Strasbourg, FranceParis to Strasbourg by trainParis to Strasbourg by direct TGV INOUI in about 1h46m from Gare de l’Est. Up to ~21 trains a day; advance fares from around €15.Cityscape of Stuttgart, GermanyParis to Stuttgart by trainParis to Stuttgart has one direct train a day, taking 3 hours 36 minutes, run jointly by SNCF and Deutsche Bahn as DB SNCF Voyageurs in cooperation. Four or five more daily departures connect via a change at Mannheim Hbf, each taking around 4 hours to 4 hours 5 minutes. Fares start from EUR 49, and trains use Paris Gare de l'Est and Stuttgart Hbf.View of Toulouse, FranceParis to Toulouse by trainFour SNCF Voyageurs services share the Paris to Toulouse corridor: fast TGV INOUI and low-cost OUIGO trains from Paris Montparnasse in around 4 hours 30 minutes, a slower daytime Intercités via Limoges, and an overnight Intercités de nuit from Paris Austerlitz that lands you in Toulouse Matabiau before 07:00. Picking the right Paris station matters as much as picking the right train.Grand Canal in Venice with gondolas and colorful palazzosParis to Venice by trainParis to Venice by train is a full-day trip with a Milan change. Use Paris Gare de Lyon, Milano Centrale and Venezia Santa Lucia.View of Versailles, FranceParis to Versailles by trainThree suburban lines connect Paris to Versailles in 15 to 40 minutes for a flat fare of €2.50. No booking needed.View of the old town in Zurich, SwitzerlandParis to Zurich by trainParis to Zurich is served by direct trains between Paris Gare de Lyon and Zürich HB with the fastest direct journey about 4 hours. SNCF Voyageurs operates trains on this route.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetRennes to Paris by trainRennes to Paris by train takes about 1h29 on the fastest direct TGV INOUI and OUIGO services, usually to Paris Montparnasse.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetRome to Paris by trainNo direct train from Rome to Paris. Every journey changes in Milan. Fastest connection around 11 hours. Advance fares from around €69 combined for 2nd class.Lyon rooftops with cathedral towers and a distant Ferris wheelStockholm to Lyon by trainNo direct train from Stockholm to Lyon. The 2026 route goes via Hamburg and Paris. Fastest options take 20 to 24 hours, with at least two changes.Gare du Nord train station in ParisStrasbourg to Paris by trainDirect TGV INOUI and OUIGO trains connect Strasbourg and Paris Gare de l'Est, with a genuine choice between full-service and low-cost fares, and Interrail and Eurail passes now valid on OUIGO since a July 2026 rule change.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetStuttgart to Paris by trainDirect trains from Stuttgart to Paris take as little as 3 hours 13 minutes. Around 5 direct services daily, fares from EUR 54 in advance.Lyon rooftops with cathedral towers and a distant Ferris wheelToulouse to Lyon by trainThree direct TGV INOUI trains a day link Toulouse to Lyon in as little as 3 hours 55 minutes, running the classic corridor via Carcassonne, Narbonne and Montpellier rather than a dedicated high-speed line. Fares start from EUR 32, and trains run between Toulouse Matabiau and Lyon Part-Dieu. Seven further daily departures involve a change at a hub such as Montpellier or Nimes, and OUIGO's own city-pair listing routes via Paris rather than this direct line.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetToulouse to Paris by trainToulouse to Paris trains take from about 4h20, with TGV INOUI, OUIGO, Intercités and overnight trains, up to 13 daily, from around €25.Gare du Nord train station in ParisVenice to Paris by trainThere is no direct train from Venice to Paris, but a single change gets you there in about 10 hours 48 minutes on the fastest all-Trenitalia connection, with a route choice between operators, a station guide, an overnight Nightjet alternative, and a dated warning about the autumn 2026 Alpine closure.Notre-Dame gargoyle overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower at sunsetZurich to Paris by trainTravel from Zurich to Paris by train on direct TGV Lyria services in as little as 4h04, with central stations, selected fares, and practical luggage guidance.

Major stations and cities in France

View of Bordeaux, FranceBordeauxBordeaux Saint-Jean is the main station for TGV INOUI, OUIGO, Intercités and TER; tram line F reaches the airport in around 45 minutes.Petit Minou lighthouse at the entrance to the harbour of Brest, FranceBrestBrest station serves the city; Paris journeys take roughly three and a half to four hours, with some journeys changing at Rennes.View of Calais, FranceCalaisCalais-Ville is the town-centre station; Calais-Fréthun handles TGVs outside town, and Eurostar does not currently stop for passengers in Calais.View of La Rochelle, FranceLa RochelleLa Rochelle-Ville is the main station for central arrivals and long-distance trains; local links and fares vary by date.Regional passenger train travelling through green countrysideLavalLaval station has TGV INOUI, TER and Aléop trains towards Paris, Rennes, Nantes and Le Mans, plus local bus lines B, H, K, 130 and LANO and regional coaches.View of Lyon, FranceLyonLyon Part-Dieu is the main station; Perrache serves the south Presqu'île, while Saint-Exupéry serves the airport and Rhônexpress normally takes 29 minutes.View of Marseille, FranceMarseilleBook Marseille-Saint-Charles for most trips; use Blancarde when your ticket names it, and Vitrolles for airport links via 5-minute line 13 (€1.20).View of Montpellier, FranceMontpellierMontpellier Saint-Roch is the usual central arrival; use Sud de France when your train and final destination make it more useful.View of Nantes, FranceNantesNantes is the city's main rail arrival. Match the station exit to your onward route; TGV INOUI requires a booked seat.Cityscape of Nice, FranceNiceNice-Ville serves most trips, Saint-Augustin serves the airport, Riquier serves eastern Nice, and Nice CP is a separate railway.Gare du Nord train station in ParisParisParis has six main stations for different directions: Gare du Nord serves Eurostar, while Gare de Lyon covers the southeast. Check your exact terminal.View of Rennes, FranceRennesRennes station has direct TGVs to Paris in about 1 hour 25 minutes, and the metro reaches Place Sainte-Anne in the old town in about 3 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Which operators run trains in France?

SNCF Voyageurs operates TGV INOUI, OUIGO, INTERCITÉS, TER and Transilien services. International routes can also involve partner carriers such as Eurostar or TGV Lyria.

Are Interrail and Eurail passes valid on French trains?

They can cover eligible French services, but inclusion depends on the pass and train. Most French high-speed trains require a separate seat reservation, so check the pass planner.

How do I book train tickets in France?

Use SNCF Connect online or in the app for many TGV INOUI and OUIGO journeys. Enter the exact departure and arrival stations, then read the conditions for the selected train.

Do trains in France require reservations?

Most high-speed trains require a reservation, while regional and other services follow their own conditions. Check the specific train rather than applying one rule to every service.

What currency are French train tickets priced in?

French train tickets are priced in euros. The final amount varies with the train, route, date and availability, so use the selected departure as your price reference.