SNCF tickets for summer and autumn travel across France on sale today
Extra tickets for Nice, Marseille, and Annecy available across several months
Tickets are available for certain InOui routes up to December 12
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Tickets for summer and autumn travel on France’s high-speed TGV InOui and Intercités rail networks went on sale today (March 11) through state rail operator SNCF.
Those looking to travel between July 4 and December 12 on TGV services can now reserve their seats through official SNCF channels including its website.
This longer-than-usual release – tickets have previously been released seasonally and cover only three to four months in advance – comes after successful trials of extended ticket availability for travellers heading from Paris to the French Riviera.
Tickets on all high-speed TGV InOui lines are covered by the extended period.
For Intercités routes, tickets are only available until August 31, the traditional summer period, and tickets for the high-speed low-cost OuiGo service were already available on certain routes up to December 12.
It comes after rival TrenItalia, which operates an increasing number of routes across France, announced their summer ticket release.
Nice, Marseille, and Annecy see ticket expansion
“TGV InOui is strengthening its service to the Mediterranean,” said the SNCF in a press release announcing the opening of ticket sales.
“Up to eight round trips between Paris and Nice will be offered on weekends in July and August,” it added.
Nice and Marseille will see up to 200,000 additional tickets across spring and autumn “supplementing the increased service during the summer,” and looking to spread out tourism to the cities.
In addition, up to 60,000 extra seats will be available between Paris and Nancy.
Early purchase provides a good option but is not always cheapest
Early birds looking to buy tickets today are not necessarily set to receive the cheapest tickets. Today’s on sale announcement means that tickets are available, not that there are discounted prices. However those booking now have the best chance of securing their desired seats.
Tickets for popular routes (such as from Paris to Marseille or Nice during the July/August holidays) and at desirable times (weekends, early mornings, etc) are quicker to sell out, and can often be snapped up entirely within days of a ticket release.
In addition, purchasing tickets earlier can offer more flexibility in cancelling or changing your ticket (available up to seven days prior to travel on InOui and Intecrités trains) and if travelling in a group, securing tickets close together.
The SNCF does state that “If you book several weeks or months ahead (or as soon as sales open), particularly for TGVs, you can take advantage of the best deals,” although this is not guaranteed.
In recent years, summer sales have often taken place later into the season, with additional tickets for popular destinations provided at a cut rate. However this is not always the case and cannot be relied upon.
