SNCF Connect: The Apps and Website Back on Track

To simplify access to information and transport tickets, SNCF Connect is merging the previous applications and websites under a single name.

Yes, SNCF, SNCF Direct, the SNCF assistant, OuiGo, Ma Gare SNCF—juggling all these was necessary to get information on your phone. Moreover, they were not the easiest to find on the website. Now, everything is streamlined to focus the offer under a single name and a simplified experience: SNCF Connect.

An Updated Website

Forget the old names; SNCF Connect is the site to visit (www.sncf-connect.com) or the SNCF app on your phone (Android and iOS) to explore the world of public transportation. Note that private offerings, such as the recent TGV Transitalia, are not accessible here. It’s also an opportunity to give the interface a fresh look. The main color scheme is blue-gray, with a clean style to simplify navigation through the pages.

And it’s not just about aesthetics. To perform searches, a single search field guides you through all requests: station schedules, buses, routes, lines, subscription cards, etc. A downside is that the search bar is only available on the homepage, not on all pages. Menus are kept as simple as possible with tabs for Travel (Search), Tickets, Offers, and Account if you’re registered to access all your information or journeys.

An SNCF Connect App (Almost) Unique

The app differs from the site by displaying much more information. It includes traffic updates, primarily for the Île-de-France network but also by region, through work disruptions, incidents, or strikes. You can also set your stations and routes as favorites on the homepage to save time.

Of course, you can directly purchase all your train journeys through the app. This is not the case for local networks (except Navigo and Ticket+), where only schedules are provided. Tickets can be viewed directly within the app, a welcome improvement, and notifications such as delays or reminders are sent.

Browsing the previous offerings, the OuiGo app still appears active. However, it is unnecessary to check it since SNCF Connect covers this function. The SNCF Assistant app still exists, although its features are now integrated into the new app, but tickets are no longer available there. Ma Gare SNCF remains the only related app, with information that does not integrate into SNCF Connect (except schedules). Perhaps for a future version?

Are SNCF Connect Websites and Apps Convenient?

We explored both the SNCF Connect website and app, and it’s quite successful. Navigation is smooth, and simple searches like “Paris Strasbourg tomorrow” are practical. More complex queries, such as “Marseille Lille direct 29 January”, work without issues, as well as “Tour Eiffel Orly tomorrow 8am” or “Sarcelles Melun Saturday.”

There are still a few adjustments needed, as requesting a specific date can sometimes yield random results. For example, “Paris Hendaye 23 February” might turn into “23 rue de Paris, Clichy”. It’s unfortunate that one must then input stations and dates manually, but it remains faster than on the old Oui.sncf site, which required filling out more fields.

What About Other Modes of Transportation Beyond Trains and Services

Integration is not yet complete within SNCF Connect. The site provides access to carpooling in partnership with BlaBlaCar, car-sharing via Ouicar, and bus services with FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus. The app offers the same options, and you can even book bus or carpooling trips directly.

However, booking a taxi or VTC still retains the legacy of the old Oui SNCF platform. The same goes for car rentals, in partnership with Avis and Budget. Hotel bookings, however, seem to have disappeared from the new site, although they’re still visible on Oui SNCF.

Regarding train travel, options such as onboard catering or luggage delivery can be booked directly on the site. However, these services are not integrated into the app. A pity.

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