SNCF

Last updated: October 14, 2025

SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français) is the French national railway company and the main rail operator in France. It operates almost all long-distance and regional trains in France.

Summary

Reservations are always required for long-distance trains (TGV inOui and Intercités)
FIP discounts are not valid on OuiGo trains
Some suburban trains and tram lines in Paris can be used under special conditions
Global fares apply for international long-distance trains
FIP discounts also apply on SNCF buses (except long-distance buses)

Validity of FIP Tickets

FIP Coupon: ✅FIP Coupon for relatives: ⛔FIP 50 Ticket: ✅FIP Global Fare: ✅ (For international TGV trains, see International TGV inOui / ICE trains)

FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on SNCF services. For cross-border journeys on local trains, either a continuous FIP 50 Ticket or FIP Coupons for both countries are required. For international long-distance services (TGV or ICE), global fares apply (see International TGV inOui / ICE trains).

Train Categories and Reservations

Reservations are mandatory on all TGV, almost all IC trains, and some regional trains (TER). FIP is not valid on OuiGo trains. For trains requiring reservations, the FIP 50 Ticket price always includes a reservation.

Long-distance

The TGV inOui is SNCF’s high-speed train, connecting many cities in France and international destinations (e.g. Munich, Frankfurt am Main, Barcelona, Luxembourg, Brussels, Zurich, Milan). Route overview. Each seat number exists twice in the carriage; the reserved seat is the one with the illuminated number.

Unofficial Information

SNCF also operates low-cost TGV trains under the name OuiGo, which are not valid with FIP.

Important Information

Special conditions apply for international connections, see International TGV inOui / ICE trains section below.

Reservation cost:Prices differ between peak and off-peak trains. Off-peak: €1.70 (1st/2nd class); peak: €15 (1st class), €10 (2nd class). The classification is not publicly available.

The TGV inOui is SNCF’s high-speed train, connecting many cities in France and international destinations (e.g. Munich, Frankfurt am Main, Barcelona, Luxembourg, Brussels, Zurich, Milan). Route overview. Each seat number exists twice in the carriage; the reserved seat is the one with the illuminated number.

Unofficial Information

SNCF also operates low-cost TGV trains under the name OuiGo, which are not valid with FIP.

Important Information

Special conditions apply for international connections, see International TGV inOui / ICE trains section below.

Reservation cost:Prices differ between peak and off-peak trains. Off-peak: €1.70 (1st/2nd class); peak: €15 (1st class), €10 (2nd class). The classification is not publicly available.

The TGV OuiGo is SNCF’s low-cost high-speed train, serving many cities in France and some international destinations.

FIP is not accepted for this train category!

The TGV OuiGo is SNCF’s low-cost high-speed train, serving many cities in France and some international destinations.

FIP is not accepted for this train category!

International high-speed trains operated by SNCF in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn, running between France (Paris Est, Strasbourg) and Germany (Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Frankfurt am Main, Stuttgart, Munich).

Reservation cost:Prices differ between peak and off-peak trains. Off-peak: €1.70 (1st/2nd class); peak: €15 (1st class), €10 (2nd class). The classification is not publicly available.

International high-speed trains operated by SNCF in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn, running between France (Paris Est, Strasbourg) and Germany (Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Frankfurt am Main, Stuttgart, Munich).

Reservation cost:Prices differ between peak and off-peak trains. Off-peak: €1.70 (1st/2nd class); peak: €15 (1st class), €10 (2nd class). The classification is not publicly available.

Intercity trains operated by SNCF, connecting various cities in France, mostly requiring reservations.

SNCF does not provide public information on which IC trains require reservations. If in doubt, check with SNCF or purchase a reservation.

Reservation cost:Prices differ between peak and off-peak trains. Off-peak: €1.70 (1st/2nd class); peak: €15 (1st class), €10 (2nd class). The classification is not publicly available.

Intercity trains operated by SNCF, connecting various cities in France, mostly requiring reservations.

SNCF does not provide public information on which IC trains require reservations. If in doubt, check with SNCF or purchase a reservation.

Reservation cost:Prices differ between peak and off-peak trains. Off-peak: €1.70 (1st/2nd class); peak: €15 (1st class), €10 (2nd class). The classification is not publicly available.

SNCF night trains within France. International Nightjet connections ended in December 2025.

Reservation cost: depends on route and occupancy

SNCF night trains within France. International Nightjet connections ended in December 2025.

Reservation cost: depends on route and occupancy

Regional

TER is SNCF’s regional train, connecting various cities in France.

TER is SNCF’s regional train, connecting various cities in France.

RER is a suburban train operated by SNCF in Île de France (Greater Paris) and surrounding cities.

RER is a suburban train operated by SNCF in Île de France (Greater Paris) and surrounding cities.

Ticket and Reservation Purchase

Online

FIP 50 Tickets

Deutsche Bahn employees can purchase FIP 50 Tickets online for journeys from Germany to neighboring countries. These tickets are available in the DB Reisemarkt > Bahnangebote > Ausland > FIP-Angebot. The FIP 50 ticket is only valid for the foreign section of the route. This is especially important for DB employees, as FIP 50 Tickets are not valid in your own home country. Therefore, an additional ticket is required for the domestic section within Germany up to the border point.

Booking is only possible via the link in the DB Reisemarkt. Discounts do not need to be selected; they are applied automatically.

FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for the following countries:

Poland
Austria
Italyonly Brenner route with Austria and ECE Frankfurt - Milan
Czech Republic
Switzerland
Luxembourg
Denmark
Netherlands
Belgium
France

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Seat reservations can be purchased via the Deutsche Bahn website. To do so, select the “Book seat only” option in the search.

Additional Information

FIP 50 Tickets

Deutsche Bahn employees can purchase FIP 50 Tickets online for journeys from Germany to neighboring countries. These tickets are available in the DB Reisemarkt > Bahnangebote > Ausland > FIP-Angebot. The FIP 50 ticket is only valid for the foreign section of the route. This is especially important for DB employees, as FIP 50 Tickets are not valid in your own home country. Therefore, an additional ticket is required for the domestic section within Germany up to the border point.

Booking is only possible via the link in the DB Reisemarkt. Discounts do not need to be selected; they are applied automatically.

FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for the following countries:

Poland
Austria
Italyonly Brenner route with Austria and ECE Frankfurt - Milan
Czech Republic
Switzerland
Luxembourg
Denmark
Netherlands
Belgium
France

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Seat reservations can be purchased via the Deutsche Bahn website. To do so, select the “Book seat only” option in the search.

Additional Information

FIP 50 Tickets

Online FIP 50 Tickets for journeys within Germany and neighboring countries can be booked via Deutsche Bahn. The tickets must include at least one section within Germany. The FIP 50 ticket is issued for the entire route. The ticket is not valid in the country where the FIP Card was issued; an additional ticket is required there.

Booking is only possible via the link. Discounts do not need to be selected—they are applied automatically.

FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for the following countries, as long as a section in Germany is included:

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
France
Germany
Italyonly Brenner route with Austria and ECE Frankfurt - Milan
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Poland
Switzerland

Reservations

The reservation price is charged per journey. For connections with transfers, you only pay once for multiple trains.

Seat reservations can be purchased via the Deutsche Bahn website. To do so, select the “Seat reservation only” option in the search.

To Booking Website Additional Information

FIP 50 Tickets

Online FIP 50 Tickets for journeys within Germany and neighboring countries can be booked via Deutsche Bahn. The tickets must include at least one section within Germany. The FIP 50 ticket is issued for the entire route. The ticket is not valid in the country where the FIP Card was issued; an additional ticket is required there.

Booking is only possible via the link. Discounts do not need to be selected—they are applied automatically.

FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for the following countries, as long as a section in Germany is included:

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
France
Germany
Italyonly Brenner route with Austria and ECE Frankfurt - Milan
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Poland
Switzerland

Reservations

The reservation price is charged per journey. For connections with transfers, you only pay once for multiple trains.

Seat reservations can be purchased via the Deutsche Bahn website. To do so, select the “Seat reservation only” option in the search.

To Booking Website Additional Information

When using a SNCB FIP Coupon, a cross-border ticket can be booked via the website, which takes the free travel within the Belgian section into account. To do this, select the discount “100% Discount Belgium (SNCB)” for the travelers. This allows, for example, very affordable bookings for trains from Belgium to Lille in France (except for the TGV, which has a Global Fare and is not operated by SNCB).

FIP 50 Tickets

The SNCB sells tickets online with a FIP 50 discount for cross-border connections to Belgium’s neighbouring countries. Simply select the discount “50% Discount Belgium (SNCB)” for the travelers. Multiple discounts can also be specified here, e.g., a simultaneously valid FIP Coupons for CFL (Luxembourg) or NS (Netherlands).

To Booking Website

When using a SNCB FIP Coupon, a cross-border ticket can be booked via the website, which takes the free travel within the Belgian section into account. To do this, select the discount “100% Discount Belgium (SNCB)” for the travelers. This allows, for example, very affordable bookings for trains from Belgium to Lille in France (except for the TGV, which has a Global Fare and is not operated by SNCB).

FIP 50 Tickets

The SNCB sells tickets online with a FIP 50 discount for cross-border connections to Belgium’s neighbouring countries. Simply select the discount “50% Discount Belgium (SNCB)” for the travelers. Multiple discounts can also be specified here, e.g., a simultaneously valid FIP Coupons for CFL (Luxembourg) or NS (Netherlands).

To Booking Website

By Phone

Bookings by phone are possible via the SNCF hotline:

+33 1 84 94 36 35

Booking is available in French and English. You will need to provide credit card details, personal information, and an email address.

At the end of the menu options presented in French, you can be connected to an English-speaking agent by pressing #85. In the next language menu, select “Voyages/Journey” by pressing 1. In the following menu, select “Voyages on TGV” by pressing 1.

A spelling alphabet can help when providing names and addresses. Payment is only possible by credit card (Visa, Eurocard, or American Express). Before giving the card number, inform the agent of the card type. No additional booking fee applies for FIP tickets.

Once tickets or reservations are confirmed, a PNR (booking confirmation) and the eTicket will be sent by email. When traveling by train, you must present the eTicket together with the FIP Coupon or FIP Card.

Personal Tip

To avoid waiting times, you can schedule a callback appointment on the SNCF website. You can provide your name and email address in advance, so you do not need to spell them over the phone. You can also specify your desired connection and indicate the FIP discount in the free text field.

SNCF sometimes refers to these as:FIP cheminot étranger = 50% FIP discountFIP permis (ayant droit SNCF) = 100% / FIP Coupon SNCF

FIP 50 Tickets

SNCF sells tickets with a 50% FIP discount.

Reservations

SNCF sells reservations for long-distance trains.

Additional Information

Bookings by phone are possible via the SNCF hotline:

+33 1 84 94 36 35

Booking is available in French and English. You will need to provide credit card details, personal information, and an email address.

At the end of the menu options presented in French, you can be connected to an English-speaking agent by pressing #85. In the next language menu, select “Voyages/Journey” by pressing 1. In the following menu, select “Voyages on TGV” by pressing 1.

A spelling alphabet can help when providing names and addresses. Payment is only possible by credit card (Visa, Eurocard, or American Express). Before giving the card number, inform the agent of the card type. No additional booking fee applies for FIP tickets.

Once tickets or reservations are confirmed, a PNR (booking confirmation) and the eTicket will be sent by email. When traveling by train, you must present the eTicket together with the FIP Coupon or FIP Card.

Personal Tip

To avoid waiting times, you can schedule a callback appointment on the SNCF website. You can provide your name and email address in advance, so you do not need to spell them over the phone. You can also specify your desired connection and indicate the FIP discount in the free text field.

SNCF sometimes refers to these as:FIP cheminot étranger = 50% FIP discountFIP permis (ayant droit SNCF) = 100% / FIP Coupon SNCF

FIP 50 Tickets

SNCF sells tickets with a 50% FIP discount.

Reservations

SNCF sells reservations for long-distance trains.

Additional Information

On Site

SNCF ticket offices are called SNCF Connect Shops and can be found at all major train stations in France. Tickets for domestic and international journeys can be purchased there. The ticket offices often have limited opening hours, so it is recommended to check them before visiting. For travel within France, upgrades from 2nd to 1st class can also be purchased by paying the difference.

FIP 50 Tickets

SNCF sells tickets with a 50% FIP discount at its ticket offices.

Reservations

SNCF sells reservations for long-distance trains.

Additional Information

SNCF ticket offices are called SNCF Connect Shops and can be found at all major train stations in France. Tickets for domestic and international journeys can be purchased there. The ticket offices often have limited opening hours, so it is recommended to check them before visiting. For travel within France, upgrades from 2nd to 1st class can also be purchased by paying the difference.

FIP 50 Tickets

SNCF sells tickets with a 50% FIP discount at its ticket offices.

Reservations

SNCF sells reservations for long-distance trains.

Additional Information

At Transilien ticket offices, discounted FIP tickets for some trains and tram lines in the Greater Paris area can be purchased. You can also collect the Contremarque de Passage (temporary access card) here. This card is required to use the lines with an FIP Coupon. You need a separate card for each journey; see Trains in Greater Paris. Usually, only a few of these cards are issued at a time per counter.

Additional Information

At Transilien ticket offices, discounted FIP tickets for some trains and tram lines in the Greater Paris area can be purchased. You can also collect the Contremarque de Passage (temporary access card) here. This card is required to use the lines with an FIP Coupon. You need a separate card for each journey; see Trains in Greater Paris. Usually, only a few of these cards are issued at a time per counter.

Additional Information

At DB Reisezentrum, cross-border FIP 50 Tickets for TGV/ICE trains between Germany and France can be purchased. It is currently unknown if booking for domestic French trains is possible.

FIP 50 Tickets

At DB ticket offices, FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for journeys within Germany and to many European countries.

It is also possible to issue FIP 50 Tickets where only the section outside Germany is charged, and an additional ticket is required for the German section. This is especially important for DB employees, as FIP 50 Tickets are not valid in their home country.

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Reservations can be made not only for Germany but also for a large number of trains throughout Europe.

Additional Information

At DB Reisezentrum, cross-border FIP 50 Tickets for TGV/ICE trains between Germany and France can be purchased. It is currently unknown if booking for domestic French trains is possible.

FIP 50 Tickets

At DB ticket offices, FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for journeys within Germany and to many European countries.

It is also possible to issue FIP 50 Tickets where only the section outside Germany is charged, and an additional ticket is required for the German section. This is especially important for DB employees, as FIP 50 Tickets are not valid in their home country.

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Reservations can be made not only for Germany but also for a large number of trains throughout Europe.

Additional Information

On the Train

FIP tickets cannot be purchased on board.

Discounts

With regular tickets, children up to and including 4 years travel free. Children up to and including 12 years receive a 50% discount on the adult fare. From 12 years, the full adult fare applies.

Special Tariff Conditions

Reservation requirement in regional trains

Some TER regional train lines require reservations:

Normandie TER NOMAD Krono + trains:

Paris – Rouen – Le Havre
Paris – Caen – Cherbourg
Paris – Caen
Paris – Trouville-Deauville

Normandie TER NOMAD Krono trains:

Paris – Argentan – Granville
Paris – Dieppe

TER Grand Est

Line 1: Paris – Troyes – Chaumont – Mulhouse
Line 4: Paris – Épernay – Châlons – Strasbourg

On TER Grand Est routes, reservations are only required if the journey starts or ends in Paris. On all other sections, no reservation is required.

Ticket validation in regional trains

On the following NOMAD routes, all tickets must be validated at the machines (compositeurs or compostage de billets) in stations before each journey or after a break in travel:

Paris – Caen – Cherbourg / Trouville-Deauville
Paris – Rouen – Le Havre
Paris – Granville
Paris – Évreux – Serquigny
Caen – Le Mans – Tours

This validation requirement does not apply to FIP Coupons.

International TGV inOui / ICE trains

TGV/ICE trains to Germany

International TGV and ICE trains are reservation-required in the French section. In Germany, reservations are not required and FIP Coupons are valid.

TGV/ICE trains to Germany

International TGV and ICE trains are reservation-required in the French section. In Germany, reservations are not required and FIP Coupons are valid.

TGV trains to Italy, Spain, and Belgium

International TGV services from France to Italy, Spain, or Belgium are reservation-required throughout and FIP Coupons are not valid. Instead, FIP Global Fares can be purchased, which can be expensive (up to €130). ¹

TGV trains to Italy, Spain, and Belgium

International TGV services from France to Italy, Spain, or Belgium are reservation-required throughout and FIP Coupons are not valid. Instead, FIP Global Fares can be purchased, which can be expensive (up to €130). ¹

TGV Lyria trains to Switzerland

International TGV Lyria services from France to Switzerland are reservation-required in the French section and FIP Coupons are not valid. FIP Global Fares can be purchased. In Switzerland, reservations are not required and FIP Coupons are valid.

TGV Lyria trains to Switzerland

International TGV Lyria services from France to Switzerland are reservation-required in the French section and FIP Coupons are not valid. FIP Global Fares can be purchased. In Switzerland, reservations are not required and FIP Coupons are valid.

Trains in Greater Paris

Île-de-France Mobilités (ÎDF Mobilités) coordinates various transport operators in Greater Paris, including RATP and SNCF.

RATP operates the Paris Métro, bus lines, and part of the tram and RER networks. SNCF operates the rest of the RER network and some tram lines. FIP discounts do not apply on RATP services.

RER trains

Some RER lines are operated by SNCF. FIP discounts apply on the following sections:

RER Line A – only branches A3 & A5 west of Nanterre Préfecture to Poissy or Cergy-le-Haut
RER Line B – only branches B3 & B5 north of Gare du Nord to Aéroport Charles de Gaulle or Mitry-Claye
RER Line C – entire line
RER Line D – entire line
RER Line E – entire line

Note: For journeys between Gare du Nord and Châtelet – Les Halles, only SNCF-operated RER Line D can be used. FIP discounts are not valid on RATP-operated RER Line B on the same section.

RER trains

Some RER lines are operated by SNCF. FIP discounts apply on the following sections:

RER Line A – only branches A3 & A5 west of Nanterre Préfecture to Poissy or Cergy-le-Haut
RER Line B – only branches B3 & B5 north of Gare du Nord to Aéroport Charles de Gaulle or Mitry-Claye
RER Line C – entire line
RER Line D – entire line
RER Line E – entire line

Note: For journeys between Gare du Nord and Châtelet – Les Halles, only SNCF-operated RER Line D can be used. FIP discounts are not valid on RATP-operated RER Line B on the same section.

Transilien trains

FIP discounts apply on all Transilien lines H, J, K, L, N, P, R, U, and V.

Transilien trains

FIP discounts apply on all Transilien lines H, J, K, L, N, P, R, U, and V.

Trams

Tram lines T4 and T11 are operated by SNCF and can be used with FIP discounts. Tram lines T9 and T13 are operated by SNCF and Keolis; FIP validity is unclear. FIP discounts do not apply on other tram lines.

Trams

Tram lines T4 and T11 are operated by SNCF and can be used with FIP discounts. Tram lines T9 and T13 are operated by SNCF and Keolis; FIP validity is unclear. FIP discounts do not apply on other tram lines.

Contramarque de Passage

Discounted FIP tickets for RER, Transilien trains, and trams can be purchased at Transilien ticket counters. When using these services with an SNCF FIP Coupon, a free Contremarque de Passage (temporary access card) must be collected at the Transilien ticket counter for each journey. Usually, only a few are issued at a time.

Léman Express

International TER trains between France and Geneva in Switzerland are marketed as Léman Express and operated jointly by SNCF and SBB. FIP discounts apply throughout the Léman Express network. SNCF FIP Coupons are also valid on the Swiss section.

Bus Services

FIP discounts also apply on buses operated by SNCF, except for long-distance buses (e.g. OuiGo Bus). ¹

Recommendations

Personal Tip

SNCF is not the easiest railway company for FIP, as reservations are often required. It is recommended to plan journeys at least a few days in advance, as trains may be fully booked. However, SNCF is known for fast connections from Paris in all directions, e.g. the 406 km journey between Paris and Strasbourg takes only about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Sources

Rail Delivery Group ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎