What are trains in France like?

The country of high-speed trains, connecting all large cities nationally and internationally. Explore famous cultural and culinary cities like Paris, Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon, using the most comfortable and easiest way to travel. 

  • All French train tickets are available to book via the Happyrail planner, with no additional booking fees. Compare and choose the cheapest option!
  • Reservations are mandatory on a lot of trains and can be booked by selecting 'Reservations' in our planner or via the Interrail app. Overview of French Eurail reservations and how to book them.
  • French Rail Tours: one-click package holidays to France starting at the airport or destination of your choice, featuring all the train tickets and reservations that you need, plus hotels, daily guides and more!

On this page you can read all about France's different types of trains, what they are like, how to book them, and everything else you need to know.

TGV High speed trains

TGV are France's famous flagship high-speed trains. They connect all large cities with each other, mostly on routes to/from Paris, as well as international destinations like Barcelona, Milan, Switzerland, Germany, and Luxembourg. TGV trains are supremely comfortable, mostly double-decker trains with a lot of legroom, well-padded seats and large luggage storage spaces.

  • All TGV tickets can be booked via the Happyrail planner and include a seat reservation as standard.
  • Eurail passes as booked via Happyrail are valid on all TGV services. A mandatory seat reservation is necessary. Please see: Eurail Seat Reservations in France.
    • Eurail seat reservations can be pricy on TGV, especially on international services. Sometimes booking a separate ticket can be cheaper than using your Eurail pass. Please see: France: Eurail or tickets?
  • Check out our Rail Tour package holidays starting in France which include all necessary tickets, reservations and hotels.

Seat reservations are mandatory when travelling with a Eurail pass, and can be booked via the Eurail app after booking your pass via Happyrail. However, TGV seat reservations can be pricy, and sometimes a separate ticket (which can also be booked via Happyrail) can be more cost-effective. Please see France: Eurail pass or tickets?

  • Second class features comfortable adjustable seats in a 2+2 configuration. Large luggage racks are present near the doors. Wifi and plug sockets are available. Most trains are double-decker trains. Photo credit: Groupe SNCF.

  • First class features extremely comfortable adjustable seats in a 2+1 configuration, with large amounts of legroom. Large luggage racks are present near the doors. Wifi and plug sockets available, drinks and snacks can be ordered from your seat.  Photo credit: Groupe SNCF.

  • A bar/café car is available for drinks, snacks and simple meals. These can be ordered for take-away via the train's internet portal or bought at the counter.  Photo credit: Groupe SNCF.

OUIGO low-cost high-speed trains

OUIGO is the brand name for low-cost trains of French Railways SNCF, oferring the same journey types as TGV trains but for much lower prices. There are both high-speed trains within France and ordinary-speed low-cost trains from Paris to Brussels.

  • All OUIGO tickets will be available via the Happyrail planner soon!
  • No Eurail or other rail passes are valid on OUIGO trains.
  • Every ticket comes with a mandatory seat reservation. So find your seat and enjoy the journey!

All OUIGO trains are one-class only, and there is a luggage limit depending on your ticket type. There is a surcharge for seats with power sockets and wifi, services which are not available to other passengers. Cancellation of tickets is not possible, and changing your ticket to another service is only possible to a limited extent. 

  • Essential tickets do not include seat selection, power sockets or wifi. You can bring one 55x35x25cm piece of luggage and a 36x27x15 piece of hand luggage.
  • Standard tickets are a bit more flexible than Essentual tickets but include the same luggage restrictions.
  • PLUS tickets include free wifi and the ability to select a seat (including a seat with power socket). You can bring one extra suitcase on top of one 55x35x25cm piece of luggage and a 36x27x15 piece of hand luggage.

Wifi is  not available on ordinary-speed Ouigo 'Train Classique' or international services Paris-Brussels, regardless of the ticket type. Power sockets are available at all seats on these trains, regardless of ticket type. Restrictions on wifi and power sockets only exist on high-speed Ouigo trains within France.

  • Ouigo high-speed trains feature a striking blue livery. They have basic seats, second-class only, in a 2+2 or 3+1 seating arrangement. The single seats in the 3+1 cars can only be booked with Ouigo PLUS tickets. There is no bar coach or any other kind of catering on board.
  • Ouigo ordinary-speed and international services to Brussels feature a pink livery. Coaches have comfortable seats in a 2+2 configuration.

Eurostar international high-speed trains

Eurostar high-speed trains run from Paris to London, Brussels, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and destinations in Germany. The trains are modern and very comfortable. Three classes are available: Standard, Eurostar Plus, Eurostar Premier.

  • All Eurostar tickets can be bought in the Happyrail planner. A mandatory seat reservation is always included as standard in tickets bought via Happyrail.
  • Eurail passes as booked via Happyrail are valid on all TGV services. A mandatory seat reservation is necessary. Please see: Eurail Seat Reservations in France.
  • Eurail seat reservations can be pricy for Eurostar trains. Sometimes booking a separate ticket can be cheaper than using your Eurail pass. Please see: Eurostar: Eurail or tickets?

Please note that trains to London have an extended check in-time to allow for customs and luggage checks; see the check-in time as noted on your ticket.

  • Standard class features comfortable seats in a 2+2 configuration, with dedicated luggage space, power sockets and free wifi. Second class on a Eurostar train to London:

    Second class on a Eurostar train for Paris-Belgium-Netherlands services:

  • Eurostar Plus features wider seats with more legroom, a quieter atmosphere, and complimentary drinks and a light meal served at your seat. Power sockets, free wifi and more than enough luggage space are available.
  • Eurostar Premier features the same seats as in Eurostar Plus but has a much shorter check-in time with a priority customs line, complimentary champagne, drinks, and a more luxurious hot meal served at your seat. 

  • Trains to London have a bar car. Trains to Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany a café car with vending machines for drinks and snacks (pictured below).

ICE high-speed trains to Germany

German ICE high-speed trains run on connections from Paris to Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich. Unlike ICE routes within Germany, reservations on these routes are mandatory. All tickets with reservations, passes and separate (mandatory) seat reservations can be booked via the Happyrail planner service.

  • Second class features adjustable seats in a 2+2 layout, some with tables, others airplane-style. Free wifi, plug sockets, and luggage space are available in all cars. Each train has at least one designated quiet car and one designated car for families with children.
  • First class features adjustable leather seats in a 2+1 layout, some with tables, others airplane-style, with more legroom and wider seat pitch than in second class. Free wifi, plug sockets, and luggage space are available in all cars. Stewards will take your order at your seat for drinks or meals from the dining car.
  • A dining car is also available, with 16 to 24 seats in the dining car itself and a take-away option for all drinks and meals. Reservations are not possible for the dining car. It is open for passengers of both second and first class, although first-class passengers can also be served at their seat in first class.

AVE high-speed trains to Spain

Spanish railways RENFE run high-speed Spanish AVE trains on the following routes:

  • Marseille - Avignon - Montpellier - Barcelona - Madrid
  • Lyon - Valence - Avignon - Montpellier - Barcelona

All AVE tickets can be booked via the Happyrail planner, with a seat reservation included as standard. Eurail/Interrail passes are also valid on all (international) AVE services, and mandatory seat reservations can be booked via our planner by selecting 'Reservations'.

  • AVE trains feature comfortable seating in both 1st and 2nd class, free wifi, bar coach, and more. For all details please see What are AVE trains like?

Intercités long-distance trains

Intercités are France's conventional express trains on lines without high-speed services. Two types exist: lines with mandatory seat reservations, and lines without seat reservations. 

Mandatory reservations

  • Paris - Orléans - Limoges - Toulouse
  • Paris - Clermont Ferrand
  • Bordeaux - Toulouse - Marseille

Tickets can be bought via the Happyrail Planner and include a seat reservation as standard. Eurail passes as bought via Happyrail are valid on all services, as long as you buy a ,andatory seat reservation. For prices and how to do so please see  French Eurail seat reservations.

The trains use classic express cars with a simple but comfortable interior, have a trolley service on board for snacks and drinks, and feature air conditioning and plug sockets. 

No reservations

  • Nantes - La Rochelle - Bordeaux
  • Nantes - Lyon
  • Toulouse - Lourdes  - Pau - Hendaye

Tickets can be booked the the Happyrail planner. Eurail passes are valid. Seat reservations to go together with your Eurail pass can optionally be bought for a low fee; please see French Eurail seat reservations.

These lines use modern trains with all modern comforts like free wifi, air conditioning and plug sockets. Reservations are optional, catering service is usually not available. 

TER Regional trains

  • Regional trains in France are called TER and run from larger cities to regional destinations.
  • All regional trains are called TER, regardless of whether they are semi-express trains that skip stations, or stop at all stations
  • There are numerous types of trains. Some are older trains with only second class, but most are modern trains with first class, wifi and plug sockets also available. 
  • Reservations are generally not possible, except on a few routes from Paris to larger cities like Le Havre, Cherbourg and Strasbourg, where they are mandatory. You can make these reservations at the train stations.
  • All valid passes and tickets can be bought via the Happyrail rail planner service. Except for the few reserved trains, you can use a TER ticket on any connection.

RER Paris regional trains

RER are metro-style trains that run in Paris, connecting the city to it's suburbs as well as functioning as express-metro trains inside the city, connecting the major train stations with each other faster then regular metro trains.

Only Parisian metro tickets are valid. Normal train tickets or Eurail passes are not valid. If you have to transfer between train stations in Paris, you can buy regular metro tickets at a ticket office or ticket machine.

Intercités de Nuit sleeper trains

France's internal sleeper trains from Paris to several destinations in the South are branded 'Intercités de Nuit'. These are comfortable sleeper trains with second class seating, second class 6-person sleeper berths and first class 4-person sleeper berths. All routes can be found on the page Night Train Routes in France.

Reservations, for either seats or beds, are mandatory. A private compartment can also be booked. Traditional European sleeper compartments for 2 persons, as well as Deluxe compartments with en-suite bathrooms, are not available, but the first-class 4-person compartments, which can be booked for private use, are very comfortable.

  • Second class seating is identical to daytime Intercités trains, and feature simple but comfortable seats with air conditioning and plug sockets.

  • Second class sleeping berths feature 6 beds in each berth and include bedding, water and a small toiletries kit. A berth can be booked for private use, the ticket for which is called Espace Privatif.
  • First class sleeping berths feature 4 beds in each berth and include bedding, water and a small toiletries kit. The beds are slightly softer and wider than in second class. Like in second class a berth can be booked for private use, called Espace Privatif.

Nightjet international sleeper trains

Austrian 'Nightjet' sleeper trains run on the routes:

  • Paris-Berlin
  • Paris-Vienna

All tickets for Nightjet, as well as Eurail seat/sleeping cabin reservations can be booked via the Happyrail Planner. These trains are the same as other Austrian Nightjet trains and feature second-class seating, couchette and sleeping cabins. For more detailed information please see What are Nightjet Trains like?

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