Established in 1938, SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer français) is the French national rail company.
Offering both national and international rail journeys, passengers can explore France, Spain Germany and more on a range of transports including the famous TGV (High Speed Train).
Impressive fact: In 2018, SNCF transported more than 14 million passengers daily!
Changes to the date and time of your journey are dependent on the fare type selected. You can easily check your options by checking your ticket against the fare types below: In order to change your ticket, give us a call so we can handle any amendments over the phone.
TGV and Intercités (Domestic France):
Eco: Unfortunately these tickets cannot be modified.
Last minute offer: These tickets are only available with a discount card and are non-exchangeable.
TGV and Intercités (Domestic France) & TGV France-Germany:
Semi-Flex/Prems: These tickets can be changed up until the time of departure. The closer it is to departure however, the higher the fee will be to make a change. The fees are as follows:
- More than 30 days before departure: no fees.
- Between 30 days and 2 days before departure: 5€
- Between 2 days and 30 minutes before departure: 15€
- Less than 30 minutes before departure: the ticket can be modified twice subject to a 15€ fee (but only the time can be changed at this point). Please note that the ticket becomes non-refundable once modified within this time frame.
Full-Flex: The departure time can be changed without fees up until 30 minutes after departure. The ticket becomes non-refundable once modified within this time frame.
TER (Regional trains France):
Normal: All TER tickets are non-exchangeable but are valid for the route selected for the whole day.
TGV Lyria:
Non-Flex: Unfortunately these tickets cannot be modified.
Semi-Flex: This ticket can be modified before departure subject to a 30€ fee.
Full-Flex: These tickets are modifiable without fees before departure, subject to the eventual price difference with the new ticket.
TGV France-Italy:
Non-Flex (Mini): These tickets will be the cheapest option when travelling on this train. They are very convenient at a low price, but they cannot be changed in any way once booked.
Semi-Flex: These tickets can be changed any time before departure, subject to a 50% fee and the eventual price difference with the new ticket.
Full-Flex (Flexi): Offering the most flexibility for this train, these tickets can be modified without any fees before departure, subject to the eventual price difference with the new ticket.
TGV France-Belgium and France Luxembourg:
Semi-Flex: Semi-Flex tickets will allow you to make changes without fees if doing so more than 30 days before departure. Between 30 days and 2 days before departure, the changes will be subject to a 5€ fee. However, when changing less than 30 minutes before departure, only the time can be changed at this point and this can be done twice, subject to a 15€ fee. The ticket becomes non-refundable once modified within this time frame.
Full-Flex: These tickets are often the highest price for these trains, but they are the most flexible so definitely the best choice if you think you will need to make changes. These tickets can be changed without fees up until 30 minutes after departure.
Between 30 minutes before departure and 30 minutes after departure only the time can be changed. The ticket becomes non-refundable once modified within this time frame.
Life is chaotic and we understand that sometimes plans change. If the fare type of your ticket allows for cancellation, you can easily do this through your bookings page.
Whilst not all SNCF rail tickets are refundable, you can easily check your options by looking at the fare types below:
TGV and Intercités (Domestic France):
Eco: These tickets cannot be cancelled.
Last minute offer: These tickets cannot be cancelled.
TGV and Intercités (Domestic France) & TGV France-Germany:
Semi-Flex: These tickets can be cancelled up until the time of departure subject to a fee. The closer it is to departure however, the higher the cancellation penalty.
- More than 30 days before departure: no fees.
- Between 30 days and 2 days before departure: 5€ fee.
- Between 2 days and 30 minutes before departure: 15€ fee.
- Less than 30 minutes before departure: 15€ fee, provided it has not been modified within this time frame. Please note that the ticket becomes non-refundable once modified within this time frame.
Full-Flex: This ticket can be cancelled up until 30 minutes after departure for no fee. Keep in mind that between 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after departure the ticket can only be cancelled provided it hasn't already been modified within that hour
TER (Regional trains France):
Normal: All TER tickets are non-refundable but are valid for the route selected for the whole day.
LGV Lyria:
Non-Flex: These tickets cannot be cancelled.
Semi-Flex: These tickets are refundable before departure, subject to a 30€ fee.
Full-Flex: Full-Flex tickets allow you to cancel without incurring a penalty fee up until the time of departure.
TGV France-Italy:
Non-Flex (Mini): Mini tickets cannot be cancelled.
Semi-Flex: These tickets can be cancelled before departure, subject to a 50% fee and the eventual price difference with a new ticket.
Full-Flex (Flexi): Flexi tickets can be cancelled without fees before departure.
TGV France-Belgium and France Luxembourg:
Semi-Flex: Semi-Flex tickets allow you to cancel them without fees if doing so more than 30 days before departure. Between 30 days and 2 days before departure, a cancellation fee of 15€ applies. Cancellation less than 30 minutes before departure this can only be cancelled (subject to a 15€ fee) so long as it has not been modified within this time period.
Full-Flex: As these tend to be the highest price for these trains, they are the most flexible in regards to being able to cancel without fees up until 30 minutes after departure. However, between 30 minutes before departure and 30 minutes after departure they can only be cancelled if they have not been modified within that hour.
Every SNCF ticket includes the name of the passenger. A ticket is therefore only valid for the passenger whose name is specified on the ticket. Modifying a name on an SNCF ticket is not possible.
For all passengers, it is always strongly advised when travelling to bring with you a valid ID. On domestic as well as international journeys, the controller may ask you to present an ID when checking your ticket. Please keep in mind that the name on the ticket must match the name on the ID.
If you have a discount card valid for SNCF journeys, don't forget to bring it with you. You will be required to present it with your ticket when being inspected.
For TGV journeys between France and Spain:
Second class: Standard seats, power sockets for laptops & mobiles. There are areas available with four seats and work tables. TGV trains also have a bar where you can purchase snacks and drinks.
First class: Reclining seats with a head and footrest. Individual tables, reading lights and power sockets are also available.
You will have access to Club Space on AVE-S100 trains: ideal for business travelers or large families, with screens for you to plug in to your laptop and more space for your luggage (available when you book eight seats).
Exclusive access to the Renfe VIP lounges in all Spanish train stations will be offered to you.
Unfortunately accidents can happen, and unexpected delays and cancellations do sometimes occur.
Delays: Here's what you are entitled to should you find yourself inconvenienced whilst travelling on a SNCF service:
- For delays between 30 and 120 minutes, you are entitled to a refund of 25%.
- For delays between 120 and 180 minutes, you are entitled to a refund of 50%.
- For delays over 180 minutes, you are entitled to a refund of 75%.
Please let us know if you have experienced one of the above delays on your train and we will be more than happy to contact SNCF on your behalf to try and get a resolution for you.
Cancellations: If your train is cancelled, a full refund can be claimed with SNCF. Alternatively, the ticket can sometimes be used to travel on a later train. We advise you to first check at the ticket counter in the event of any service disruptions.
Strikes: In the case of a strike, SNCF will send you an e-mail informing you of the cancellation. If you are at the station, we suggest that you go to the counter and cancel your ticket with an SNCF agent. Once this is done, please contact Customer Service and we will proceed with a refund of your ticket. You can also forward us the e-mail from SNCF and we will process the refund.
Please note that you have 60 days to contact us for a refund with proof that the train was cancelled.
Not sure which ticket to book? With SNCF, there are three age brackets which determine the price of your ticket:
Infant: passengers under 4 years old travel free of charge. The tickets issued will not show the number of infants travelling. Each infant will need to travel on the lap of an adult who will have been allocated a seat reservation. If you wish to reserve a seat for your infant, you will need to purchase a child fare ticket.
Child: 4-11 years old. Usually, tickets for children are subject to a 50% discount.
Adult: 11+
Seat reservations are automatically allocated at the time of booking subject to availability. Groups of passengers in the same booking will be seated as close together as possible.
There is an option to choose your seating preference when booking and this is taken into account when possible, but these choices cannot be guaranteed. Please note that changing seat reservations is not possible.
Keep in mind that TER tickets (regional trains) do not include a seat reservation, as it is not available on these trains.
95% of SNCF tickets can be used on mobile devices, and therefore do not need to be printed. You will find instructions included with your booking confirmation email. As a general rule;
Domestic journeys: If the confirmation e-mail states so, you can simply download your e-ticket on your phone and travel with it on your Smartphone.
International journeys: It is recommended to print the ticket, as it may not be considered valid in a mobile format outside of France.
It is not currently possible to book the required services for passengers requiring assistance through Omio, therefore we would recommend that you place the booking with SNCF directly.
To book a ticket, you can use Accès Plus service available by clicking here.
You can also request assistance at the station via the Accès Plus service. This service is available 7 days a week from 7:00 to 22:00. Assistance should be requested at least 48 hours before departure.
There are no luggage restrictions when travelling with SNCF.
Luggage will need to be placed in the designated areas on the train. Passengers should try to be as considerate as possible by ensuring luggage does not obstruct the isle.
Note: Ouigo by SNCF offers inexpensive tickets to travel within France. If you book tickets for a Ouigo train, note that you can only add luggage to your booking for an additional fee.
Yes! However there are some conditions so please read the following carefully before you travel.
For TGV (domestic journeys France), Intercités, TER: You can travel with your pet by purchasing an extra ticket. Pet tickets cannot be booked online and need to be booked at the ticket counter or by calling +33 8 92 35 35 35.
If the pet weighs less than 6 kg, it can be transported in a bag or basket that does not exceed 45x30x25 cm, for an additional 7 euros. Pets that weigh more than 6 kg will pay 50% of the full 2nd class fare, even when traveling in first class.
For TGV Lyria (journeys between France and Switzerland): You're allowed to travel with up to 2 pets per passenger, if the pets weigh less than 6 kg and are transported in a bag or basket that does not exceed 45x30x25 cm. If you travel with more than 2 pet carriers, a TGV-Lyria animal ticket is required for each additional container.
If the pet weighs more than 6 kilos, a special pet fare ticket needs to be booked at an SNCF ticket counter. Dogs need to be on a leash and muzzled during the entire length of the journey.
For TGV journeys between France, Italy & Germany: You can travel with your pet by purchasing an extra ticket. Pet tickets cannot be booked online and need to be booked at the ticket counter or by calling +33 8 92 35 35 35.
The price for a ticket depends on the weight of the pet. If it weighs less than 6 kg, it can be transported in a bag or basket that does not exceed 45x30x25 cm, for an additional 7 euros. If it weighs more than 6 kg, you will need to pay 50% of the full 2nd class fare, even when traveling in first class.
For TGV journeys between France and Belgium: You can bring your pet with you for an extra fee.
If your pet weighs less than 6 kg, it can be transported in a bag or basket that does not exceed 45x30x25 cm. The fare will then remain the same regardless of the traveled distance. If your pet weighs more than 6 kilos, you will need a ticket, for which the fare will depend on the traveled distance. Keep in mind that dogs need to be muzzled and on a leash during the entire length of the journey.
Note: All guide dogs and assistance dogs travel for free on all the trains listed above.
All disassembled bikes, carried in a bag not exceeding 120x90 cm will be considered hand luggage and can therefore be transported free of charge.
For all other bikes, it is possible to travel with them on SNCF trains for an additional fee. Please take a moment to read the information below and follow the instructions relevant for your journey:
For TER (regional journeys in France): You can travel free of charge with your fully assembled bike, subject to space restrictions on peak-time services.
For TGV (domestic journeys in France): A bike ticket needs to be booked along with the passenger ticket at an additional cost of 10€. You will need to book directly on SNCF's website.
Not all TGV trains offer the option to travel with your bike; a bicycle logo will be displayed on suitable trains during the booking process.
For Intercités: For an Intercity train with mandatory seat reservations, the process will be the same as for TGV journeys and you will need to purchase a bike ticket (see information above). If you're traveling on an Intercity train without a mandatory seat reservation, the rules are the same as for TER journeys and you can travel with your bike free of charge.
For TGV Lyria (journeys between France and Switzerland): If a bike storage room is available on the train, you will book your ticket directly on SNCF's website.
For TGV journeys between France and Germany: Only disassembled bikes can be transported. They should be placed in a bag not exceeding 120x90 cm in size.
For TGV journeys between France and Italy: If a bike storage room is available on the train, you will book your ticket directly directly on SNCF's website.
For TGV journeys between France and Belgium: Only disassembled bikes can be transported. They should be placed in a bag not exceeding 120x90 cm in size.
- Carte Jeune
- Carte Senior+
- Carte Enfant+
- Carte Week-end
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.