Do train tickets in France with tight connections have extra guarantees?

Reader Question: We are looking at travelling by train for our summer holidays in France but some of the proposed connections seem tight (around 10 minutes) and we are worried about delays. What happens if you miss a connecting train? 

Tickets for a single journey covering multiple trains/connections in France is more common than buying individual tickets for each leg of a journey.

In general, software used by ticket sellers includes calculations to provide enough time between one train arriving and the next departing for travellers to navigate between them, and train schedules are usually aligned to allow passengers to make these connections.

It also takes into account travel time if having to switch between stations (for example, between two of the major stations in Paris), as is the case for some tickets.

You will be informed of how long connection times are before you buy your ticket, so you can estimate if you will have enough time, if your needs are different.

If switching between stations in the same city, use a map application on your smartphone to see how long the estimated travel time between them is. 

If you are worried that a connection is tight, check if traveling at a different time provides more time between trains. 

Also note that for some regional TER trains, a ticket is valid for the entire day, and does not need to be taken on a specific journey (as it does for TGV services or Intercités trains).

Protection on some tickets

However, there are of course cases where one train is delayed, causing a knock-on effect to your journey.

France’s state operator SNCF provides protection for travellers who face missed connections, depending on the ticket they purchase

If the ticket is a ‘Billet Direct’, meaning it is one single purchase covering all trains from the start to the end destination, then travellers are covered. 

A ‘Billet Direct’ for example could be a single ticket from Rouen to Lyon, that involves a connection in Paris. If you buy a ticket for Rouen - Paris, and then another for Paris - Lyon, you are not covered. 

In the event of a missed connection caused by a delay or other problem on the rail network, the SNCF offers support and alternative arrangements. 

These can include: 

• A free replacement ticket on the next available train to your onward destination 

• A full or partial refund

• A free returning ticket to your original destination (including refund)

• Vouchers for food and drink

• Accommodation if you are required to wait overnight to continue your journey 

• Potential compensation 

This protection applies to journeys on all SNCF trains (InOui, OuiGo, Intercités, regional TER trains), international routes operated by the SNCF, and the French leg of international journeys, however it excludes the Eurostar. 

Note that not all tickets bought through a third party application (such as Trainline) benefit from this protection. 

Tickets must have connection times validated by the SNCF, and see all journeys connected through a single ticket. 

If in doubt, purchases made for travel in France using the SNCFConnect site should be covered, however.