French train tickets go on sale for Olympics period
If you're planning on taking a train to get to events during the Paris Olympics and Paralympics then tickets go on sale from Wednesday.
French rail operator SNCF has already opened up ticket sales for the early part of the summer, but tickets for July, August and September go on sale on Wednesday, March 13th.
That includes the Games period, so if you intend to take the train to France for the event, or to travel around France to different events - for example take the TGV down to Marseille to catch some sailing or up to Paris to see beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower - you can book from Wednesday.
Overall, it is best to book train tickets as early as possible in France.
The mode of transportation is becoming more and more popular, with SNCF enjoying a bumper year in 2023 with 122 million passengers. Trains for peak times such as the weekend that French schools let out for the summer holidays tend to sell out quickly.
Summer is always a peak travel period with trains frequently filling up on key dates such as the start of the school holidays, but the Games are expected to make trains busier than ever so advance booking is recommended.
READ MORE: Hotels, tickets and scams: What to know about visiting Paris for the 2024 Olympics
For those looking to travel by the Ouigo budget service, ticket sales for the period from July 6th to December 2024 went on sale on March 6th.
InOui tickets for the period initial summer period - from May to early July - went on sale on March 7th.
Depending on the region, the local TER trains open their sales period three to five months before the desired date of departure.
Finally, those looking to travel on the Inoui high-speed rail lines to travel from France to Spain or Italy can begin purchasing tickets for the summer holidays, as they went on sale on February 26th.
READ MORE: 9 new train routes in France in 2024
How can I buy tickets?
You can purchase them on the SNCF app or online using the SNCF Connect website. You can also purchase them at French train stations at the kiosks. There are also third-party websites, such as Trainline or Omio, but they may charge a separate processing fee in addition to the ticket.
How can I save money on train tickets?
Early booking may get you a good deal, and SNCF offers regular deals particularly around peak travel times such as summer and Christmas. Downloading the SNCF app will get you advance notification of sales.
If you live in France, you might consider investing in an 'avantage' rail card which can get you discounts depending on your situation. These include the under-27 youth card, the 'adult' card for 27-59-year-olds and the senior card - they cost €49 to buy and entitle you to discounts of up to 30 percent for yourself and a friend.
READ MORE: How to find cheap train tickets in France
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French rail operator SNCF has already opened up ticket sales for the early part of the summer, but tickets for July, August and September go on sale on Wednesday, March 13th.
That includes the Games period, so if you intend to take the train to France for the event, or to travel around France to different events - for example take the TGV down to Marseille to catch some sailing or up to Paris to see beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower - you can book from Wednesday.
Overall, it is best to book train tickets as early as possible in France.
The mode of transportation is becoming more and more popular, with SNCF enjoying a bumper year in 2023 with 122 million passengers. Trains for peak times such as the weekend that French schools let out for the summer holidays tend to sell out quickly.
Summer is always a peak travel period with trains frequently filling up on key dates such as the start of the school holidays, but the Games are expected to make trains busier than ever so advance booking is recommended.
READ MORE: Hotels, tickets and scams: What to know about visiting Paris for the 2024 Olympics
For those looking to travel by the Ouigo budget service, ticket sales for the period from July 6th to December 2024 went on sale on March 6th.
InOui tickets for the period initial summer period - from May to early July - went on sale on March 7th.
Depending on the region, the local TER trains open their sales period three to five months before the desired date of departure.
Finally, those looking to travel on the Inoui high-speed rail lines to travel from France to Spain or Italy can begin purchasing tickets for the summer holidays, as they went on sale on February 26th.
READ MORE: 9 new train routes in France in 2024
How can I buy tickets?
You can purchase them on the SNCF app or online using the SNCF Connect website. You can also purchase them at French train stations at the kiosks. There are also third-party websites, such as Trainline or Omio, but they may charge a separate processing fee in addition to the ticket.
How can I save money on train tickets?
Early booking may get you a good deal, and SNCF offers regular deals particularly around peak travel times such as summer and Christmas. Downloading the SNCF app will get you advance notification of sales.
If you live in France, you might consider investing in an 'avantage' rail card which can get you discounts depending on your situation. These include the under-27 youth card, the 'adult' card for 27-59-year-olds and the senior card - they cost €49 to buy and entitle you to discounts of up to 30 percent for yourself and a friend.
READ MORE: How to find cheap train tickets in France
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