Christmas holiday train tickets go on sale in France
Travellers are urged to book their seats as soon as possible for lower prices
Those who book earlier will get access to lower prices
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Train tickets for Christmas holidays and this winter went on sale this morning (Wednesday October 2).
If you are looking to travel by train this winter, then you should book as soon as possible for the lowest prices and to be guaranteed a seat on the train of your choice.
What tickets are available?
From today, you can book:
TGVs and Intercités from December 15, 2024, to January 8, 2025.
Ouigo Grande vitesse trains from December 15 to July 4, 2025.
Ouigo Train classique trains 45 days before departure
International TGVs until March 30, 2025
Eurostars until March 29, 2025
Lower prices
The tickets are likely to be booked very fast, as in previous years.
The SNCF operates a “yield management” (or ‘dynamic pricing’ in the words of SNCF) system for tickets, similar to airlines, meaning that those who book earliest get the lowest prices. By booking now, you could save up to 38% on the price of the ticket according to BFM.
Normally, you can buy tickets four months in advance for TGV and Intercity trains. However, the SNCF operates a fixed date system for the Christmas, winter, spring and summer holiday periods.
To buy tickets, you can go directly to the SNCF’s website or use a ticket platform website such as Trainline.
Anger at prices
However, outrage has been sparked online over the prices.
One X (Twitter) user stated: "If the tickets put online at 5:45 are the least expensive, a trip Paris-Nantes is going to end up costing a four-digit figure."
Another claimed that the exact same trip as she took last year cost her €30 more this year.
A Connexion reader wrote in to say that their daughter went to book a train from Paris to Agen and found "hugely increased prices and many trains already sold out". She had woken up at 5:00 UK time in order to book her train.
The average price of a TGV rose by 7% in 2023 according to a report by the Autorité de régulation des transports (Transport regulation authority).
Holiday updates
SNCF Voyageurs has announced a few updates for the upcoming period. The Paris-Berlin TGV route will open on December 16, with tickets going on sale October 16.
Read more: Direct TGV Train Service from Paris to Berlin: Launching in December
The Ouigo Grande Vitesse line from Paris to Bourg Saint Maurice (near the Italian border) is reopening, with a daily return train from December 19 to March 30, 2025.
A new line between Nancy and Lyon Perrache will open on December 15.
If you have not taken a train in a while, it is also worth remembering the new luggage policy. You are now only allowed to take two larger bags (maximum dimension 70x90x50 cm) and one piece of hand luggage (maximum dimension 40x30x15 cm), at risk of being fined €50.
Read more: New French train luggage rule: do staff get a bonus for each fine given?
Read more: New Luggage Restrictions and Fines on SNCF TGV and Intercités Trains
