Trains in France

France has an extensive high-speed train network, which will get you where you want to go a lot faster compared to the regional train system. However, for the high-speed trains you'll need to book a seat reservation. We'll explain you more about reservations a bit further down on this page.

Compare train travel times between regional and high-speed TGV trains in France:

The French railway network is mostly run by SNCF. You can check train times with the Interrail timetable.

Regional and intercity trains in France

TER

• Connects most French cities and towns, with frequent services.

• Reservations not required.

InterCité (InterCity)

• Connects major cities and towns in France.
• Reservations are not required for most InterCité trains.
• The SNCF website has a map of InterCité trains that do require a reservation (in French only: yellow=reservations required; green=reservations not required)

Paris: suburban RER trains

RER trains connect central Paris with suburban areas of the city. Please note these trains are NOT included in the Pass. Keep this in mind when you're travelling to:

• Orly Airport
• Charles de Gaulle Airport
• Disneyland Paris
• Versailles

Domestic high-speed trains in France

TGV

• Connects popular destinations like Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille and Nice.

• Travels at speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph).

• Features luggage racks, power sockets and snacks or a restaurant car.

• Reservations are required.

International high-speed trains in France

Eurostar

• Connects Paris and Lille to London (Great Britain) via the Channel Tunnel, and Lille to Brussels (Belgium).

• Reservations are required.

ICE

• Connects Paris to Frankfurt and Munich (Germany).

• Reservations are required.

Renfe-SNCF en Cooperación

• Connects Paris and Marseille to Barcelona and Madrid (Spain).

• Reservations are required.

TGV Lyria

• Connects Paris to Geneva and Zurich (Switzerland).

• Reservations are required.

TGV

• Connects Paris to Luxembourg City (Luxembourg), Lille to Brussels (Belgium), Paris to Turin and Milan (Italy) and Paris to Figueres (Spain).

• Reservations are required.

Thalys (THA)

• Connects Paris to Amsterdam (Netherlands), Brussels (Belgium) and Cologne (Germany).

• Reservations are required.

Domestic night trains in France

Intercités de Nuit

Connects Paris to various destinations in the east, west and south of France.

• Paris - Gap - Briançon
• Paris - Toulouse - Rodez - Latour de Carol - Perpignan - Cerbère

Reservations are required for these trains. 

International night trains in France

Thello night train

• Paris - Milan - Verona - Venice
• Paris - Florence - Rome

Interrail Passes are NOT valid on the Thello as it is operated by a private railway company. However, discounts are available.

Train stations of bordering countries

An Interrail Pass valid in France covers travel to some train stations of bordering countries:

• Basel (Switzerland)

• Geneva (Switzerland)

• Portbou (Spain)

• Ventimiglia (Italy)

Which trains in France require reservations?

• TGV high-speed trains

• All international high-speed trains (Like Eurostar, Thalys and Thello)

• All night trains

You can make reservations up to 3 months in advance. The number of seats available for Interrail Pass Holders is limited on the TGV, Thalys trains, certain InterCité trains and the Paris-Frankfurt ICE train. Please reserve your seats on these trains as far in advance as possible.

How to make reservations for French trains

• Online: Through the reservation self-service.

• In person: At a ticket desk or self-service machine in French train stations.

• By phone: Through one of the railway call centres.

For more information about reservations for French trains:

• Reservations in France

• Reservation fees

• How to avoid reservations

International ferry connections to and from France

• Great Britain to France
  Get an Interrail discount of 30% off Irish Ferries journeys from Rosslare in Ireland to Cherbourg (19.5 hours) or Roscoff (18.5 hours) in north-west France.

Interrail Pass options for France

Interrail France Pass

• Explore all of France and Monaco by rail.

• Youth discounts, as well as family and senior discounts.

• Additional benefits include 25% off the Thello night train to Italy.

• Prices from € 148

View France Passes

Interrail Global Pass

• Travel by train as much as you like in France and up to 31 other European countries.

• Discounts available for youth, seniors and families.

• Prices from € 208

View Global Passes

French main train stations

Paris has several hub stations, which can connect you to most of the main cities in France. The main stations in Paris are:

• Lyon

• Nord

• Austerlitz

• Bercy

• Est

• Montparnasse.

The main railway stations in France usually have great facilities, including:

• Lockers

• Cash machines and a foreign exchange desk

• Restaurants and cafés

• Tourist information

• Elevators, escalators and access for disabled passengers

Free bus travel

Interrail Pass Holders can travel for FREE on the following bus routes:

• Digne to St Auban

• Digne to Veynes

• Oloro to Canfranc (Spain)

Discounted travel to Ireland and Italy

Discounted travel by ferry and the privately-owned Thello are available for Interrail Pass Holders.

• 30% off ferry travel to Rossclare (Ireland).

• 25% off the Thello night train to many cities in Italy.

See all Pass benefits for France