The SNCF (French National Railway Company) has officially opened its ticket sales for spring travel, making it easier for passengers to plan their journeys across France and beyond. Starting from February 12, train enthusiasts can book their tickets for travel from May 13 to June 12, 2025, which encompasses significant holidays such as Ascension Day on May 29 and Pentecost Day on June 9. Following this initial rollout, ticket sales will extend from June 13 until July 4.
With the demand for travel surging, particularly during holiday periods, the SNCF is urging travelers to secure their tickets early. "Les billets de train pour la deuxième partie du printemps seront disponibles dès cette semaine," stated the company, highlighting their commitment to accommodating the expectations of eager travelers.
Among the various options available, the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) and Intercités trains will be the primary modes of transport for many holidaymakers. Tickets for these services can be reserved as they provide significant routes like Paris to Lyon, Paris to Marseille, and Paris to Montpellier, ensuring passengers have access to over 60 destinations starting at just €16.
The budget-friendly OUIGO range also plays a key role this spring, with those prices ranging from €10 to €49, depending on the route and the time of booking. Notably, the OUIGO trains will resume services on the popular route connecting Paris to Perpignan from March 31, offering daily round trips to various destinations including Lyon Saint-Exupéry, Nîmes, Montpellier, Sète, Agde, Béziers, and Narbonne.
For those wishing to travel beyond France, there’s good news as well. Tickets for international routes, including TGV Lyria services to Switzerland and various connections to Italy, Luxembourg, Brussels, and Freiburg, will remain available for booking up to four months in advance. Specifically, the long-awaited reopening of the direct TGV service from Paris to Milan will occur on March 31, regaining its three daily services connecting Paris with major cities like Turin and Milan. This follows the suspension of the route due to landslides causing disruptions last August.
If travelers previously relied on bus connections during the hiatus of the direct train service, they can now look forward to seamless travel again. Currently, customers can continue to utilize SNCF's alternative arrangements to Italy, involving taking trains to nearby stations and then transferring to buses.
Train enthusiasts are also advised of the advantages of booking tickets through platforms like Trainline, which is offering promotions during this optimal booking period. "Si vous achetez vos billets de train sur Trainline, vous profiterez en ce moment d’une réduction de 15 %" and will benefit from competitive pricing on train and bus travel across over 45 European destinations.
Travelers can obtain these tickets through vending machines, at SNCF outlets, by phone, and via the SNCF Connect application, which has proven to be a handy tool for organizing trips.
Overall, the reopening of ticket sales for trains across France marks not just the anticipation of spring getaways but also the realization of connectivity across Europe, reflecting SNCF's efforts to meet passenger needs. With the opportunity to reserve tickets now, it's the perfect moment to plan your vacation, ensuring you don’t miss the chance to travel comfortably and affordably this spring!