Railways & Train Travel in Ile de France & France

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Railways & Train Travel in Ile de France & France

Paris, France Trains and Rail Services

• SNCF is the national train service for France. The website allows for a route and timetable search and online booking
• TER SNCF is the regional French rail system. You can search the timetable and book online. Information booklets with train times and destinations for a local or longer trips are available at all stations and some tourist offices
• TGV is the fast train network in France. Bookings must be made in advance
• Eurostar is the high-speed passenger train connecting London's St Pancras International Station and Paris Gare du Nord via the Channel Tunnel. Travel time: 3 hours (2 hours from Ashford International). Eurostar offers direct service to nine destinations including Disneyland Paris and the French Alps (winter only)
  • Online booking is available on the Eurostar website
• Thalys is a collaboration of four national railways. The Thalys network serves 18 Western European cities including Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne and Disneyland Resort Paris. With up to 20 departures per day, high-speed service between Brussels and Paris takes 90 minutes 
  • Complete timetables and online booking on the Thalys website
• RATP provides the Paris bus, Metro and Tramline service

Paris Train Stations

Each of the city's six train stations serves a different region of France and Europe.

Some Tips & Points

• Booklets with train times and destinations for a local or longer trip are available at all stations and some tourist offices. TGV bookings must be made in advance
• A ticket must be validated in the orange punching-machine in the station, before boarding; otherwise face a fine
• There are various discount rates available for the young (Carte 12-25), the over 60s ( Carte Senior) and groups. 
• For more information on the Carte 12-25: Click here (in French)
• For more information on the Senior SNCF: Click here (in French)
• Discounts and special conditions are available for mobility, sight and hearing disabled people. 
• For information on accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility: Click here (in French)
• There is a service for children travelling unaccompanied. 
• For information on the Jeune Voyager Service, JVS: Click here (in French)
• Dogs and cats may be taken on the trains, but there is a fee and conditions. Price depends on the size of the pet, and once aboard, a fellow passenger may, legally, request it be moved
• To find a local station contact details, go to Pages Jaunes and type in SNCF and the region
• Gares en Mouvement is a website in several languages that provides information on major stations around France including open hours, address, and a real-time schedule of departures and arrivals and the platform numbers: Click here

Rail Strikes in France

From time-to-time the train service is reduced due to strike action. Legally the SNCF must provide a minimum level of service (a minimum number of trains must be operating) in the event of a strike (grève); revised train schedules are posted on notice boards at stations. Information is also available from the website Transilien SNCF (in French) or by telephone on weekdays.

Note: during a strike, the train service websites may not be operational.

Real-time information on delays or cancellations is available from the service, Infoligne or by telephone. 

• Infoligne
  Tel: 36 35

The TER-SNCF also offers a 24/7 service called TER Flash Trafic that alerts subscribers via e-mail or SMS to delays or cancellations. Subscription is free.

In the case of long-distance travel (more than 100 Km), if a main line SNCF train is delayed more than 30 minutes and the delay is caused by SNCF, compensation in the form of travel vouchers may be available.

• For more information on SNCF customer service and obtaining compensation: Click here

Useful Train Numbers

Further Information

• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Public Transport in Paris Ile de France
• See also AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Paris Airport Transfers & Connections

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