Train: SNCF summer tickets available on March 8

SNCF will open reservations for TGV Inoui, Ouigo, and Intercités train tickets for this summer starting Wednesday, March 8th.

As with every holiday period, it’s best to plan ahead. At least for train tickets, because after the end-of-year 2022 holidays, it will be the summer vacation of 2023 that will generate excitement next week.

Reservations Mainly for July and August

Indeed, SNCF will open reservations on Wednesday, March 8th. This applies to TGV Inoui, Intercités and OuiGo trains, but not yet for TER:

• TGV Inoui and Intercités: Saturday, July 8th to Sunday, September 3rd, 2023
• OuiGo: Saturday, July 8th to Saturday, December 9th, 2023

For dates before July 7th, there is a four-month window for TGV Inoui and Intercités trains. That is, reservations can be made starting March 7th, or March 6th for a ticket on July 6th. For international tickets, Eurostar tickets are available 11 months in advance, so no worries there, but Thalys tickets are also limited to a four-month period. For example, a booking from Paris to Brussels for July 26th can only be made starting March 26th.

Should you rush to buy tickets when they open?

All tickets becoming available simultaneously will likely cause crowds. Those who have already scheduled their time off can plan their train trips now, and it will be on a “first come, first served” basis. Additionally, SNCF offers low prices when trains are empty or still have many seats available. Waiting to buy might mean paying higher prices for the last remaining seats, or even facing fully booked trains at your preferred date and time. To reserve, simply go through the official website SNCF Connect, or use Trainline.

The first Mini electric bikes will be available “from winter 2023/2024”. The two entities have not yet specified which types of bikes will be available, nor at what price.

Also read: Transport: Transilien SNCF recruits 400 drivers in Île-de-France