Railways & Train Travel in Ile de France & France
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+ | Railways & Train Travel in Ile de France & France |
All you need to know about trains running in (or to and from) Paris and the Ile de 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)
- 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
- 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.
| Station |
French destinations |
European destinations |
| Gare d'Austerlitz
|
Central & South West France |
Spain & Portugal |
| Gare de l'Est
|
Eastern France |
Germany, Switzerland & Austria |
| Gare de Lyon
|
Southern France & the Alps |
Italy, Switzerland & Greece |
| Gare Montparnasse
|
Western France |
South West Europe |
| Gare du Nord
|
Northern France |
Belgium, United Kingdom, Netherlands |
|
Gare St-Lazare
|
Normandy |
|
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.
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
| Useful Numbers |
| SNCF (all services) |
Tel: 36 35 |
| SNCF (calling from outside
France) |
Tel: 08 92 35 35 35 |
| SNCF |
Website |
| Transilien (regional TER service for Ile de France):
Citylien and train links to all Paris airports |
Website |
| TGV - High speed train |
Website |
| Eurostar (Channel train) |
Tel: 08 92 35 35 39
Website |
| Thalys |
Website |
Further Information
Related reference INFOrmation on AngloINFO Paris & Ile de France:
If you believe any of the information on this page is incorrect or out-of-date, please let us know. AngloINFO makes every effort to ensure its INFOrmation Pages are as comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date as possible, but we're also grateful for any help!
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