Which is cheaper between Trenitalia and SNCF?

One year after Trenitalia’s arrival on the French railways, have the fare changes been significant for SNCF?

For the first time, on December 18, 2021, a train from a foreign company connected two French cities. This was after more than 80 years of SNCF monopoly. A train from operator Trenitalia departed from Paris to Milan and served Lyon, Chambéry, and Modane on the French side of the Alps. One year later, Trenitalia has sold over one million tickets, as announced by its CEO Roberto Rinaudo during a press conference on December 14. It is thus time to review the fares offered by the two competitors.

SNCF had to lower its prices

From its arrival on French territory, the Italian Trenitalia planned two daily round-trips between Paris and Milan. Then three starting in April, and finally five since October 2022. According to the European Union, opening up to competition was meant to provide consumers with enhanced service quality and more attractive prices. As is well known, when a competitor enters your playing field, you lower your prices and margins to continue selling. So, we conducted research on potential fare and offer changes.

Based on the prices found on SNCF and Trenitalia websites, the results show that the newcomer has fulfilled its role. Since December 2021, it has offered prices 30 to 60% lower than InOui. All while increasing its offer from two to five round-trips daily. On the SNCF side, the number of TGV InOui trains has returned to 2019 levels. Since the Italian’s arrival, prices have dropped by 20% between October 2019 and January 2022. With SNCF, you can depart for Lyon in less than two hours starting at €10, compared to €29 for the same service offered by Trenitalia. However, tickets from the Italian brand never exceed €59, whereas SNCF tickets can rise to over €100. Finally, the French service offers 28 additional trains per day compared to its competitor, allowing departures whenever you wish.

Trenitalia is expected to expand its services in France

It remains to be seen whether inflation will force Trenitalia to raise its prices . “There will be no change in the fare structure related to the rise in energy prices,” promises Roberto Rinaudo, Trenitalia France’s CEO. The company wants to train its drivers in eco-driving to save costs.

Trenitalia is also preparing a new offer aimed at professionals, which will be unveiled in early 2023. No destination has been leaked so far. “Our two priorities are high-speed and regional transport. But developing new lines takes time; all constraints need to be studied and work must be done in synergy with existing services,” recalled its CEO. In any case, there are no plans to increase frequencies between Paris and Lyon in 2023.

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