⚡ TL;DR
- France's rail network centers on TGV high-speed trains at 320km/h, connecting all major cities
- Pass holders must reserve TGV seats — fees €10-20 (2nd class), limited quota in peak season
- Ouigo is SNCF's budget brand with fares from €10, but doesn't accept passes
- France has the highest reservation fees in Europe — 5-6 TGV trips add €50-120 extra
- For France only, Eurail France Pass (from €186) is cheaper than Global Pass (from €211)
The TGV High-Speed Network
The TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) is France's pride and one of Europe's most developed high-speed networks. From Paris, TGVs connect virtually every major French city at 320km/h.
| Route | Duration | Ticket Price | Pass Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris → Lyon | 2h | €30-120 | €10-20 |
| Paris → Marseille | 3h 15m | €40-150 | €10-20 |
| Paris → Bordeaux | 2h 15m | €35-130 | €10-20 |
| Paris → Strasbourg | 1h 45m | €30-100 | €10-20 |
| Paris → Nice | 5h 30m | €50-160 | €10-20 |
| Paris → Lille | 1h | €20-70 | €10-20 |
| Lyon → Marseille | 1h 40m | €25-80 | €10-20 |
Prices from sncf-connect.com, checked Feb 2026. Fares vary by booking time and demand.
Reservation Fees: The Hidden Cost for Pass Holders
France is one of the most expensive countries for Eurail pass users. Nearly all long-distance trains require mandatory reservations, costing €10-50 each. This catches many first-time pass users off guard.
| Train Type | Reservation? | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| TGV InOui (2nd class) | Required | €10-20 |
| TGV InOui (1st class) | Required | €20-30 |
| Intercités | Required | €10-15 |
| Intercités de nuit (Night) | Required | €20-50 |
| TER (Regional) | Not needed | €0 |
| Eurostar (Paris→London) | Required | €30-38 |
| Thalys/Eurostar (Paris→Amsterdam) | Required | €26-35 |
⚠️ Important: TGV pass holder quotas are limited (~50 per train). In peak season (Jul-Aug), they sell out weeks ahead. Book early! Available via the Eurail App, b-europe.com, or at French station counters.
Ouigo Budget Trains: The Pass Alternative
Ouigo is SNCF's low-cost brand, like Ryanair for trains. Fares from €10-35, using TGV trains with stripped-down service (no dining car, no WiFi, luggage limits).
✅ Pros
- Super cheap (from €10)
- Same TGV speed
- Covers major routes
- Sometimes cheaper than pass + reservation
❌ Cons
- No rail pass accepted
- Some stations remote (e.g., Paris Marne-la-Vallée)
- Strict luggage limits
- High change fees
Surviving French Rail Strikes
French rail strikes are a famous "tradition." Don't panic — most strikes have limited impact, and with preparation you can navigate them.
- Check announcements — SNCF must announce strikes 48h ahead. Follow sncf.com
- Download SNCF app — Check in real-time if your train runs ("maintenu" = running)
- Have backup plans — TER regional trains and BlaBlaCar rideshare are less affected
- Pass holder advantage — Flexible rescheduling, no wasted travel days. Strike days don't count as travel days.
Eurail France Pass vs Global Pass
| France Pass | Global Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| 3d / 1mo | €159 | N/A |
| 4d / 1mo | €186 | €211 |
| 5d / 1mo | €210 | €249 |
| 8d / 1mo | €284 | €296 (7d) |
| Coverage | France only | 33 countries |
| Visit neighbors? | ❌ | ✅ |
Our advice: If your trip is 100% France (e.g., Paris-Lyon-Marseille-Nice), get the France Pass. If you're also visiting Spain, Italy, or Switzerland, the Global Pass is more flexible.
Paris Station Guide: 6 Stations Explained
Paris has no single central station — instead, 6 terminal stations serve different directions. Going to the wrong one means missing your train!
🇬🇧 Gare du Nord
Serves: London (Eurostar), Brussels, Amsterdam, Belgium
💡 Eurostar lounge is on the 2nd floor — arrive 30min early
🇩🇪 Gare de l'Est
Serves: Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Munich, Switzerland (some)
💡 Trains to Germany and Alsace depart here
🇮🇹 Gare de Lyon
Serves: Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Geneva, Milan, Barcelona
💡 Le Train Bleu restaurant upstairs is worth seeing (stunning 19th-century décor)
🏖️ Montparnasse
Serves: Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nantes, Rennes, Brittany
💡 Split into Hall 1 and Hall 2 — check which one before arriving
🌊 Saint-Lazare
Serves: Normandy (Rouen, Le Havre, Deauville)
💡 Mostly regional trains, rarely long-distance TGVs
🌙 Bercy
Serves: Some night trains and Intercités
💡 Very close to Gare de Lyon, walkable
Real Traveler Pitfalls & Tips
Tips below are compiled from Reddit r/Interrail, r/travel, seat61.com forums, and Chinese travel communities, cross-verified across multiple sources.
🚫 Pitfall #1: TGV pass holder quotas are tiny
Each TGV allocates only ~50 seats for pass holders (confirmed by multiple Reddit users and seat61.com). TGVs departing Brussels have an even tinier quota — sometimes zero. Peak season (Jul-Aug) popular routes sell out 4-6 weeks ahead. Solution: book the moment reservations open.
🚫 Pitfall #2: Reservation websites are confusing
Per numerous Reddit r/Interrail posts: SNCF Connect and b-europe.com often hide the Eurail/Interrail option in their booking flow. Most reliable: use the Eurail App for domestic TGVs, or book at French station counters. TGV Lyria (Paris-Switzerland) reservations are especially confusing.
🚫 Pitfall #3: TER trains don't show up in most apps
Reddit users report: the Eurail App and RailEurope often don't show TER trains, only suggesting reservation-required TGVs. In reality, TERs need no reservation — just hop on with your pass. Use SNCF Connect or Google Maps for accurate TER schedules.
💡 Local Advice vs Tourist Mistakes
❌ Tourist mistake: Only taking TGVs → reservation fees pile up. ✅ Local tip: TERs are slower but free with pass and comfortable — French commuters ride them daily. E.g., Marseille to Arles is just 20min by TER, no reservation. Also, for Paris station transfers (e.g., Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon), take Metro Line 4 — don't take a taxi.
Money-Saving Tips for France
- Use TER regional trains — No reservation needed, fully covered by your pass. Slower but saves reservation fees.
- Book TGV reservations early — Pass holder quotas are limited and sell out 6-8 weeks ahead in summer. Book as soon as reservations open.
- Compare Ouigo direct prices — If Ouigo fares are €10-15, they might beat your pass + reservation fee of €10-20.
- Combine France with reservation-free countries — Pair with Germany/Switzerland/Netherlands, which have no reservation fees. Germany train guide →
Is a pass worth it for your France trip?
Enter your French routes, compare pass vs individual ticket costs.
🔍 Calculate Now — Free🌐What Real Travelers Say
Aggregated from Reddit, Seat61, TripAdvisor & travel forums (updated 2026-03-08)
⚠️ “France is the WORST country for Eurail. Every TGV needs €10-20 reservation, and the €10 passholder quota sells out fast.”
— r/Interrail · 2025-11
💡 “TER regional trains need NO reservation and are free with the pass. Plan routes using TER where possible to save on fees.”
— Seat61 · 2025-10
⚠️ “SNCF strikes happen several times a year. Always have a Plan B. TER trains usually still run during national strikes.”
— r/Interrail · 2025-09
💡 “Book TGV reservations at sncf-connect.com — cheaper than through Eurail (no €2 booking fee). Enter your pass number.”
— railforums.co.uk · 2025-08
⚠️ “Paris has 7 train stations! Gare du Nord (Eurostar/Thalys), Gare de Lyon (south/Italy), Gare de l'Est (Germany), Gare Montparnasse (west/Brittany). Check which one!”
— r/travel · 2025-07
⚠️ Common Complaints
- €10-20 per TGV reservation
- Limited passholder quota
- Frequent strikes
- 7 different Paris stations
Reddit Consensus: poor value — advance tickets often cheaper than pass + reservation fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need reservations with Eurail Pass in France?
Yes, all TGV and Intercités trains require mandatory reservations. Fees are €10-20 (TGV 2nd class), bookable via the Eurail App or at SNCF stations. Only TER regional trains are reservation-free.
Can I use my rail pass on Ouigo trains?
No. Ouigo is SNCF's low-cost brand and does not accept any rail passes. However, fares often start at €10-19, sometimes cheaper than a pass + reservation fee.
What happens during French rail strikes?
SNCF strikes are announced 48 hours in advance. During strikes, around 30-50% of TGVs still run. Check the SNCF app or sncf.com for real-time updates. Pass holders can reschedule for free.
Is Eurail France Pass or Global Pass better for France?
If you're only visiting France, the France Pass is cheaper (4 days/1 month €186 vs Global €211). But if you're also visiting other countries (e.g., Spain, Italy), the Global Pass is better value.
How many train stations does Paris have?
Paris has 6 main stations by direction: Gare du Nord (UK/Belgium/Netherlands), Gare de l'Est (Germany/Switzerland), Gare de Lyon (South/Italy), Montparnasse (West/Southwest), Saint-Lazare (Normandy), Bercy (night trains).