France by train

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

France has one of Europe's best rail networks, built around a genuinely high-speed core that puts most of the country within a few hours of Paris. Understanding the different train brands — and which need a reservation, which are cheap, and which cover the countryside the high-speed lines skip — makes a real difference to both cost and comfort. Here is how it all fits together.

TGV inOui: the flagship high-speed network

SNCF's TGV inOui is the standard, full-service high-speed brand, running at up to 300+ km/h on dedicated high-speed lines (LGV) radiating out from Paris to Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, Strasbourg and beyond, as well as some direct province-to-province routes that avoid Paris altogether. Journeys that once took the best part of a day — Paris to Marseille, for instance — now take around 3 hours. Reservations are compulsory on every TGV inOui service: you cannot board with just a rail pass, you need an assigned seat booked in advance, either as part of a ticket or as a supplement to a pass.

Fares are dynamic, much like airline pricing: book early and the cheapest advance fares can be very low, while last-minute or peak-time tickets cost considerably more. First class buys more space and sometimes at-seat service; standard class on TGV inOui is still comfortable by most European standards.

OUIGO: SNCF's budget high-speed brand

Alongside TGV inOui, SNCF operates OUIGO, a low-cost high-speed brand using the same fast trains and lines but with a stripped-down, easyJet-style model: fewer amenities, paid extras for larger luggage, and departures that sometimes use secondary stations on the edge of a city rather than the central terminus (Paris OUIGO services, for example, often use Marne-la-Vallée or Massy rather than Gare de Lyon). Fares are typically the lowest way to travel French high-speed rail, provided you can work around the station location and are travelling light. Like TGV inOui, reservations are compulsory — there is no walk-up, unreserved option.

TER: regional trains

Below the high-speed layer, TER (Transport express régional) trains handle the shorter, local and regional journeys that connect towns the LGV network bypasses — the branch to Giverny from Vernon, coastal Brittany, the Alpine valleys, wine country back roads. TER trains are slower and make more stops, but fares are low and, unlike the high-speed brands, reservations are generally not required — buy a ticket and board, much like a commuter train. TER is organised regionally, so branding, apps and some fare rules vary slightly by region, but the basic experience is consistent nationwide.

Intercités: the middle tier

Intercités trains sit between TER and the high-speed network: longer-distance, classic (non-high-speed) trains serving routes not covered by a TGV line, including some overnight services. Some Intercités routes require reservations, others do not — check the specific train when booking, as this varies by route rather than following a single blanket rule across the brand.

Eurostar and cross-border services

France's high-speed network also connects directly into neighbouring countries: Eurostar to London, Brussels and Amsterdam, and direct TGV inOui services into Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Spain via shared high-speed lines. These international services generally follow the same compulsory-reservation rule as domestic TGV inOui. Our Eurostar guide and Paris to Barcelona route guide cover two of the busiest cross-border corridors in more depth.

Booking: SNCF Connect and third-party sites

SNCF Connect is the official booking platform for French domestic rail and sells TGV inOui, OUIGO, Intercités and most TER tickets in one place. Advance tickets typically open around three to four months ahead of travel, and the earliest advance fares are usually the cheapest — booking as soon as your dates are fixed is the single best way to control cost on TGV inOui and OUIGO. Third-party booking sites also sell French tickets, sometimes with clearer pricing across operators for a multi-country trip, but SNCF Connect is generally the most reliable source for exact fare rules and any last-minute changes.

Rail passes: Interrail, Eurail and France-specific options

Interrail (for European residents) and Eurail (for everyone else) passes cover France as part of a wider European pass, and both require a paid seat reservation on top of the pass for any TGV inOui or OUIGO train — the pass alone does not guarantee a seat, and reservation quotas for pass holders are limited on the busiest routes, so booking well ahead matters more with a pass than with a standard ticket. TER trains generally do not need a reservation even for pass holders. For travellers focused only on France rather than a wider European trip, point-to-point advance tickets booked early are often cheaper than a pass, so it is worth comparing both before committing — see our Interrail vs Eurail guide for how the two passes differ.

Regional highlights worth knowing

A few specific corridors are worth flagging for their practical quirks. The Paris–Lyon–Marseille axis is the busiest and most frequent high-speed corridor in the country, with departures every 30–60 minutes at peak times. Paris to the Alps (for skiing) sees seasonal direct TGV services from several stations, worth checking specifically in winter. And the classic Riviera line along the Mediterranean coast between Marseille, Nice and the Italian border is run largely by TER and regional trains rather than TGV, making it a scenic, unreserved, hop-on option for exploring the coast at a slower pace.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to reserve a seat on every French train?

Only on TGV inOui, OUIGO and some Intercités services — all compulsory. TER regional trains generally do not require a reservation; you buy a ticket and board.

What is the difference between TGV inOui and OUIGO?

Both are high-speed SNCF brands using largely the same trains and lines. TGV inOui is the standard full-service option, often departing from central stations; OUIGO is the no-frills budget version, sometimes using secondary stations, with paid extras for larger bags.

Can I use an Interrail or Eurail pass on TGV trains in France?

Yes, but you still need a separate paid seat reservation for TGV inOui or OUIGO — the pass covers the base travel, not the compulsory reservation. Book reservations early, as pass-holder quotas are limited on popular routes.

Is French regional (TER) travel much slower than the TGV?

Yes, considerably, since TER trains make more stops and often run on non-high-speed track. They are the right choice for shorter regional hops and towns off the high-speed network, not for long cross-country journeys.