TGV InOui vs. Ouigo vs. Regional TER
SNCF operates two high-speed tiers: TGV InOui (full-service 1st and 2nd class, bistro bar car, power outlets, 2 large tagged suitcases + 1 hand bag included) and Ouigo Grande Vitesse (€16–€39 low-cost blue trains where 1 cabin bag + 1 under-seat bag are included and large bags cost €5 extra online). Regional TER trains connect nearby towns (like Strasbourg–Colmar or Nice–Monaco) with fixed fares and no mandatory seat reservations— EXCEPT Normandy Krono+ lines.
Know Your 6 Paris Mainline Terminals
Paris has no single central station: Gare de Lyon serves Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Nice, and Chamonix/Annecy; Gare Montparnasse serves Bordeaux, Tours/Loire Valley, and Rennes/Brittany; Gare de l'Est serves Strasbourg, Colmar, and Reims; Gare du Nord serves Eurostar (London/Brussels/Amsterdam) and Lille; Gare Saint-Lazare serves Normandy (Rouen, Bayeux, Caen); Gare d'Austerlitz serves Loire Intercités and night trains.
Carte Avantage vs. Eurail France Pass
If buying 2+ round-trip TGV tickets, the €49 Carte Avantage Adulte (ages 27–59) or Jeune/Senior card pays for itself immediately with 30% off and capped 2nd-class fares (€49/€69/€89). Eurail France Passes require a €10–€20 TGV seat reservation per high-speed leg.
Key Takeaways & Local Tips
- Verify schedules and book high-speed train tickets directly on SNCF Connect or the Bonjour RATP app.
- Save our offline French Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards on your phone before boarding your flight.
- Always greet staff with 'Bonjour' before asking a question in English or French.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: