Train services cut across France due to Covid, Eurostar also affected

French rail company SNCF will cut 10% of its TGV service and 20% of its intercité trains from next week due to a drop in bookings caused primarily by the Covid pandemic.

“Given the 30% drop in bookings since the beginning of the year - particularly on weekdays - the TGV service will be adapted next week to maintain 90% of normal service, with the intercité service reduced to 80%,” a spokesman for SNCF Voyageurs said.

The Eurostar service between Paris and London will run at 10% of normal service.

UK tourists are currently not allowed to enter France under Covid-related rules introduced on December 18, 2021.

Read more: Covid: The 22 essential reasons for travel between UK and France

Read more: Here are France's two new extra essential reasons for travel from UK

Passengers whose trains are cancelled will be contacted and they will be able to change their ticket or get a refund, the SNCF spokesman said.

He said that the change to the services was due both to lower passenger numbers and having less staff available because of Covid.

“Like any employer, we are indeed facing the effects of this fifth Covid wave…but no more and no less than others,” he said.

Suburban trains in the Paris region are expected to run almost as normal from next week, but services may be subject to future change.

France introduced mandatory work-from-home rules on January 3. It means that employees, who are able to, should work from home at least three times per week, rising to four if possible.

Related stories:

UK arrivals now only fully vaccinated who must quarantine in France

Trains, planes, ferries, Métro: eight travel updates for France

Covid-19: Rules for travel to and from France