Annual offer gives cheaper rail travel

Workers, the self-employed, unemployed and retired French people can benefit from an SNCF offer of a once-a-year cheap ticket with 25% off the full fare for them and, if travelling together, their families.

Despite existing since 1932, the billet de congé annuel is not well known. It is available for trips of more than 200km and, at current prices, can save up to €200 on a return ticket.

Aimed at reducing the cost of an annual holiday, the ticket gives a 25% reduction for second-class travel in a TGV, TER or Intercités using the Loisir tariff. Users can cut ticket costs by 50% by using certain off-peak trains in période bleue, an advantage that is also available to holders of the Senior+, Jeune, Week-end and Enfant+ card-holders.

The price also drops to 50% if the traveller pays for the journey using a chèque vacances, obtained through an employer or comité d’entreprise.

Travellers intending to use the billet de congé annuel must get a form online (tinyurl.com/yamadjmn – for employed people only, it must be counter- signed by the employer) or at a station (for the retired, self-employed or unemployed).