The SNCF has officially opened its summer ticket sales this morning, March 12, 2025, allowing travelers to book train journeys for the highly anticipated holiday season. Starting bright and early at 6 a.m., the ticket office began releasing tickets for travel between July 5 and August 31, 2025, encompassing popular trips on TGV INOUI and Intercités, as well as budget-friendly Ouigo services.
With the summer school holidays around the corner, this window for early bookings is especially significant. "Dès le mercredi 12 mars, profitez des meilleures offres pour voyager avec TGV INOUI et Intercités jusqu’au 31 août 2025," states the SNCF on its website, encouraging travelers to secure their tickets as soon as possible.
According to SNCF, the advantages of booking early don't stop at mere availability. Early reservations can lead to substantial savings, saving travelers up to 50% on some routes. Cédric Dufour, Commercial Director France of Trainline, highlighted this fact, expressing, "Ça va très vite, les premiers arrivés sont les premiers servis," meaning those who act quickly will benefit the most.
Details about ticket availability are extensive. For standard TGV INOUI and Intercités, reservations are confirmed for travel through August 31. Special sales for certain routes, such as those connecting Paris to the Southeast, will continue until December 13, 2025. Ouigo, known for its budget-friendly fares, will also have tickets available until December for travel on its diverse routes.
Travelers are encouraged to be proactive, as the competition for the best prices can result in rapid price increases. For journeys like Paris to Lyon, booking during this initial window can afford savings of up to 30%. For routes like Paris to Metz, expect savings around 50%. With statistics showing 1.7 million tickets sold within the first 24 hours last year, it’s clear the demand is high. Half of the available TGVs are reported to be fully booked well before summer even starts.
For those considering alternatives, the competition is heating up. Trenitalia, the Italian railway company, is now offering fares as low as 27 euros on the Paris-Marseille route, with stops at picturesque locations such as Aix-en-Provence and Avignon. This competitive pricing provides travelers more options than ever when planning summer excursions.
SNCF’s offerings extend beyond national travel. Passengers can now reserve tickets for international journeys, including TGV Lyria to Switzerland and connections to Spain and Italy, with similar extended bookings valid until December 13.
Further highlighting the proactive nature of SNCF’s sales pitch, the company has stated, "Les clients auront accès aux réservations pour des circulations entre le 5 juillet et le 31 août, et même jusqu’au 13 décembre sur les principales destinations de l’axe Sud-Est,” emphasizing the breadth of travel opportunities available.
Conveniently, travelers eager for adventure should be aware of dynamic pricing trends. Prices can fluctuate based on demand, with increases often seen when more travelers seek the same tickets. Therefore, booking at the earliest opportunity remains the best strategy. Experts recommend making reservations approximately 11 weeks prior to departure for the best rates.
So, whether planning family vacations or spontaneous getaways, March 12 marks the beginning of the opportunity to book the cheapest fares available. The SNCF has laid out numerous routes both within France and across Europe, providing ample opportunities for travel enthusiasts this summer.
Travelers are reminded to monitor their options closely, as routes like Paris-Lyon, Paris-Marseille, and others often are high-demand during peak travel seasons. With competitive offerings from Trenitalia and other carriers, it remains wise to compare all possible pricing and travel arrangements before finalizing holiday plans.
For those who can wait, there will still be capacity on certain trains, but widespread anticipation means acting fast is the best course to avoid disappointment. Like many travel modalities, the early bird gets the worm, so to speak—wise travelers will surely act quickly to secure their seats for this summer's adventures.