SNCF Connect may soon sell tickets from other operators on France’s rail network
Booking website currently shows limited tickets for services
Other operators offer services in France in addition to SNCF, such as Spanish Renfe and Italian Trenitalia
Azulblue / Romain P19 / Robert Way / Shutterstock
Travellers on France’s rail network should soon be able to buy tickets from multiple operators on a single website, based on a bill adopted by the Senate last week.
The bill, backed by senators across the parties, aims to make it easier for rail passengers looking for tickets to find the journey best suited to their needs. It comes amid an increase in rail services operated by rivals to France’s state operator SNCF.
Main changes would consist of updating the SNCF Connect website to show tickets from several operators from January 2028, not just those offered by SNCF.
A measure establishing a passenger’s “right to continue the journey in the event of a missed connection,” provided their route was covered under a single ticket purchase, was also included.
A final vote on the bill must be held in the Senate before it is passed onto MPs in the Assemblée nationale.
Widen use of SNCF Connect
The SNCF Connect website is the most popular place to buy tickets for train journeys in France, as well as finding live updates on any issues affecting the network (strikes, weather disruptions, etc) and general journey information.
For those using the website to buy a ticket however, it currently only shows those available on services offered by SNCF or its affiliates (local or regional authorities or the InOui/OuiGo high-speed services).
It omits tickets by competitors such as Renfe and Trenitalia, even if they offer trains on the same routes that would be equally suitable for the passenger.
In this case, these tickets can only be purchased directly through that operator’s website/smartphone app, or at a station.
The new plans would see the SNCF Connect website list all journeys fitting the searcher’s criteria, regardless of the operator, becoming a single hub for all ticket purchases on the French rail network.
Written in response to a fact-finding mission on improving rail travel, the plans have been supported by French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot.
“The government is obviously in favour of simplifying the digital journey for users, particularly through a more accessible and diversified rail service,” he said.
Implementation of the change is not expected until January 2028.
Increase in rival rail operators
EU rules requiring all rail services to open up to competition has seen a scramble to secure new lines in countries across the bloc, both from existing and new enterprises.
In France, Italian state rail operator Trenitalia already operates several routes, and is planning more including a potential London-Paris Eurostar rival.
SNCF is planning to launch services in Italy. It already offers services in Spain through its low-cost OuiGo arm.
