Trains in France

There are a number of train types in France ready to transport you both day and night. Most of the French network is operated by SNCF. Use the Eurail train timetable (operated by the Deutsche Bahn German railway) to check times for trains in France.

Regional and intercity trains in France

The main rail network in France is made up of the following regional trains and intercity trains:

• TER trains link most French towns and cities and operate frequent services.
• InterCité (intercity) trains connect the main towns and cities across France.

On the Eurail timetable regional trains appear as "RE". Reservations are not required for regional trains and most InterCité trains. View a map of Intercité trains that do require a reservation on the SNCF website (in French only).

High-speed trains in France

International high-speed trains in France
These high-speed trains operate to and from France:

• Eurostar connects Paris and Lille to London (Great Britain) via the Channel Tunnel, and Lille to Brussels (Belgium).
• Thalys links Paris to Amsterdam (Netherlands), Brussels (Belgium), Cologne (Germany).
• TGV connects Paris to Luxembourg city (Luxembourg), Lille to Brussels (Belgium), Paris to Turin and Milan (Italy) and Paris to Figueres (Spain).
• TGV Lyria links Paris to Geneva and Zurich (Switzerland).
• ICE connects Paris to Frankfurt and Munich (Germany)
• Talgo du Jour (Mare Nostrum) links Montpellier to Barcelona (Spain) and continues south to Valencia and Murcia (Spain).

French TGV high-speed train

Domestic high-speed trains in France
French domestic high-speed trains are run by TGV and travel at speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph). TGV trains transport passengers quickly and comfortably to cities across France, including from Paris to popular destinations like Bordeaux, Lyons (Lyon), Marseille and Nice.

TGV trains offer air-conditioning, large luggage racks, power sockets, plus refreshments and often a restaurant car.

On the Eurail timetable TGV trains are simply shown as “TGV”, Thalys as “THA”, ICE as “ICE”, Eurostar as “EST and Talgo du Jour as "TLG". These trains always require a reservation. Eurostar is not included in the Eurail pass, however travelers get a special fare.

Night trains in France

International night train routes in France

International night trains in France
The following night trains connect France with Spain and Germany:

• Elipsos:
  Paris – Madrid / Barcelona (Spain)
• City Night Line:
  Paris – Berlin / Munich (Germany)

The Thello night train connects Paris by night with Milan, Verona and Venice in Italy. Eurail passes are not valid on the Thello as it is operated by a private railway company. 

Domestic night trains in France
The InterCités de Nuit night trains connect Paris to various destinations in the east, west and south of France, by night.

Elipsos trains appear on the Eurail timetable as "EN", City Night Line as "CNL" and InterCités de Nuit as "NZ"The Thello also appears as "EN". You're required to book sleeping accommodation in advance.

Reservations on French trains

Many French trains require an advance reservation, including TGV high-speed trains, all international high-speed trains, and night trains (prices depend on desired sleeping accommodation). You can make reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Please note that the number of seats available for Eurail pass holders is limited on TGV, Thalys trains, certain InterCitè trains and the Paris-Frankfurt ICE train. We advise you to reserve these trains as soon as possible in high-season (May to September) and public holidays.

For more information about reservations in France:

• How to make reservations
• View reservation fees
• How to avoid reservations

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Popular domestic connections in France

Popular train connections in France

View approximate train travel times between top cities in France with regional and high-speed TGV trains:

International train connections to and from France

We suggest the following routes to travel between France and other European countries:

• Spain – France
  Travel to Paris by night on the Elipsos night train from Madrid (15hr 35min) or Barcelona (12hr 40min). Alternatively use the Talgo du Jour day train from Barcelona to Perpignan.
• Germany – France
  Arrive in Paris on international trains from the German cities of Frankfurt (3hr 50min on ICE), Cologne (3hr 15min on Thalys) or Munich (6hr 10min on TGV).
• Great Britain – France
  Arrive in Paris from London on the Eurostar high-speed train (2hr 15min). Eurostar is not included in the Eurail pass, but a special fare is available.
• Belgium – France
  Arrive in Paris on the high-speed Thalys train from Brussels (1hr 20min). Alternatively take the TGV from Brussels to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport (1hr 35min); this train also continues direct to Marseille (5hr 30min).
• Netherlands – France
  Arrive in Paris on the high-speed Thalys train from Amsterdam (3hr 30min).
• Italy – France
  Take a regional train to Ventimiglia on the Italian border, followed by a direct InterCity train to Milan (4hr) or Genova (2hr), where you can connect to trains across Italy. There is also a  TGV between Paris and Turin (5hr 45min) or Paris and Milan (7hr 15min) (reservations are expensive for this train).
  View more train routes between France and Italy.
• Switzerland – France
  Take a TGV from Paris to Geneva (3hr 5min) or a regional train from Lyons to Geneva (1hr 50min).

International ferry connections to and from France

You can also travel to and from France by ferry. Get a discount on specific routes with a Eurail pass.

• Great Britain – France
  Travel with Irish Ferries from Rosslare in Ireland to Roscoff (18hr 30min) or Cherbourg (19hr 30min) in the north-west of France. Get a 30% discount with the Eurail pass.

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Eurail France passes let you see all of France's great cities like Paris, Lyon, Nice and Cannes. We offer France rail passes and passes that combine other European countries.

Rail pass options for France

• Eurail Global Pass starting from US$509 – have the freedom to visit France and up to 22 other Eurail countries.
• Regional Pass – focus on visiting France plus 1 other country. Here are your options:
  Eurail France-Italy Pass starting from US$273 – visit popular Italian cities like Venice, Florence and Rome.
  Eurail France-Spain Pass starting from US$273 – explore the sizzling Spanish culture in cities like Barcelona, Madrid and Seville.
  Eurail France-Germany Pass starting from US$313 – travel to top German cities including Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt.
  Eurail France - Switzerland Pass starting from US$314 – get to know Switzerland's beautiful sites in Geneva, Zurich and Bern.

France is not available as a One Country Pass. From January 1, 2013 it is no longer possible to choose France as part of the Select Pass. To visit France, choose a Regional Pass combination or the flexible Global Pass. Read more

Example train route in France

Visit France's most popular cities on a single trip with Eurail. You can follow the suggested route below using a Eurail France-Italy Pass - choose 10 days within 2 months, starting from US$462.

Example train route in France

Paris

Paris is the world's most romantic city with top attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre gallery and world-class shopping.

Versailles

Versailles is home to the Palace of Versailles – a splendid example of the pomp and splendour of eighteenth-century France.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is the perfect base from which to explore the famous wine region and visit a wine chateau or two.

Lyons

Lyons' cobbled-old town and its network of hidden passageways (traboules) are a highlight of France's second largest city.

Nice

Nice is the Côte d'Azur's cosmopolitan capital with a mesmerizing turquoise coastline to cool down in.

Monaco

Monaco is a tiny principality and a playground for the rich and famous – expect casinos, huge yachts and fast cars aplenty.

For more route ideas for your Eurail trip, check out our European highlights itinerary.

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