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Trains in France
Explore France by train with an Interrail Pass! Travel from the romantic capital of Paris to the glistening coast of the Côte d’Azur, past the snow-capped Alps and through sprawling vineyards in the Bordeaux region.
Please keep in mind that French high-speed and night trains always need reservations in advance and often have limited seating for Interrail Pass holders.
Domestic connections 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:
| Route | Regional | High-speed |
|---|---|---|
| Paris to Bordeaux | 8.5 hours | 3.5 hours |
| Paris to Lyon | 5 hours | 2 hours |
| Paris to Marseille | 9 hours | 3 hours |
| Paris to Nice | 12.5 hours | 5.5 hours |
Map with main train connections in France
Train types 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
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
Connects Paris and Lille to London (Great Britain) via the Channel Tunnel, and Lille to Brussels (Belgium).
Reservations are required.
Connects Paris to Frankfurt and Munich (Germany).
Reservations are required.
Connects Paris and Marseille to Barcelona and Madrid (Spain).
Reservations are required.
Connects Paris to Geneva and Zurich (Switzerland).
Reservations are required.
Connects Paris to Luxembourg City (Luxembourg), Lille to Brussels (Belgium), Paris to Turin and Milan (Italy) and Paris to Figueres (Spain).
Reservations are required.
- Connects Paris to Amsterdam (Netherlands), Brussels (Belgium) and Cologne (Germany).
- Reservations are required.
Domestic night trains in France
Connects Paris to various destinations in the east, west and south of France.
- Paris - Gap - Briançon
- Paris - Marseille - Cannes - Nice
- Paris - Toulouse - Perpignan - Portbou (Spain)
- Paris - Rodez
- Paris - Toulouse - Latour de Carol
Reservations are required for these trains.
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)
Reservations for trains in France
Which trains in France require reservations?
TGV high-speed trains
All international high-speed trains (like Eurostar and Thalys)
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 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:
International train connections to and from France
| Route | Which train? | Travel time | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon to Geneva (Switzerland) | Regional | 2 hours | None |
| Paris to Amsterdam (Netherlands) | Thalys | 3.5 hours | Required |
| Paris to Barcelona (Spain) | Renfe SNCF | 6.5 hours | Required |
| Paris to Brussels (Belgium) | Thalys | 1.5 hours | Required |
| Paris to Cologne (Germany) | Thalys | 3.5 hours | Required |
| Paris to Frankfurt (Germany) | ICE | 4 hours | Required |
| Paris to Geneva (Switzerland) | TGV | 3 hours | Required |
| Paris to London (Great Britain) | Eurostar | 3.5 hours | Required |
| Paris to Milan / Genova (Italy) (via Ventimiglia) | Regional and InterCity | 4 / 2 hours | Optional |
| Paris to Milan / Turin (Italy) | TGV | 6 / 7.5 hours | Required |
| Perpignan to Barcelona (Spain) | Renfe SNCF | 1.5 hours | Required |
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.
France Passes
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 like discounts on City Cards.
Prices from € 127
Interrail Global Pass
Travel by train as much as you like in France and up to 32 other European countries.
Discounts available for youth, seniors and families.
Prices from € 185
Train stations in France
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
Pass benefits for France
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
Discounted travel by ferry is available for Interrail Pass Holders.
30% off ferry travel to Rossclare (Ireland).
