Do you wish your train rides could have the same cramped seating and nickel-and-diming for extras as a low-cost airline? French train operator SNCF supposes you do; and voilà, they give us Ouigo.
Ouigo is actually nowhere near as bad as a budget airline, though the experience is a bit more trying than a standard train ride. Its popularity has exploded recently — reports say ticket sales have doubled.
I’ve taken Ouigo a number of times and don’t completely regret the experience, particularly when I’ve been able to slip across France in a few hours for less than the cost of lunch in a Parisian bistrot.
Here then is a look at the advantages and disadvantages of the system, how to book tickets as a foreigner, and what to expect from the ride.
Contents
What Is Ouigo?
Is Ouigo Worth It? Weigh the Pros and Cons
Advantages of Ouigo
Disadvantages of Ouigo
How to Purchase Ouigo Tickets — Even if You're a Foreigner
Ouigo Baggage Restrictions, Explained in English
Arriving at the Train Station, Check-In, Waiting for Your Ouigo
The Full List of Current Ouigo Routes
Update History of This Article
This article was first published on August 18, 2022.
Update History of This Article
This article was first published on May 10, 2019. It was updated with boarding procedures on Sept. 11, 2019.
What Is Ouigo?
Ouigo is a subsidiary of the SNCF, the French national train company. It has been offering rides between major cities in France since 2013. Prices are lower generally than on standard trains, starting at €10 and going up to around €100.
Ouigo trains are fast trains, just like the SNCF’s TGV service, running at 270-320 km/hr (160-199 mph).
There is no first-class/second-class division but there are extra options like place tranquille (described as a quiet space with no young kids), an outlet at your seat (“prise”), and the baggage option, which lets you bring a standard-sized suitcase instead of just a carry-on.
Is Ouigo Worth It? Weigh the Pros and Cons
I like Ouigo and I take it. But I know what to expect. Here’s what you should consider.
Advantages of Ouigo
Much cheaper:Tickets start at €10 and tend to be very reasonable compared to standard trains.
Fast: All Ouigo trains are fast trains (TGV), so travel times are short.
Kid fares:All children 0-11 years old get their own seats for just €5 (or €8 if starting/ending in the center of Paris). Each child ticket also includes its own luggage, with the same size restrictions as adult fares.
Anti-kid option: Want to be seated far from those 0-11-year-olds? Choose theplace tranquile for a small extra fee (electric socket is included).
Disadvantages of Ouigo
Smaller, less-comfortable seats: They are four to a row with less leg room and there’s less vertical room too since you’re in a double-decker train car.
Uses secondary train stations (sometimes): Some train stations used are outside of city centers and for those there is additional cost and time needed to then get to the city center. Before booking, check where the station is and check Google Maps for the additional time and cost to then take public transport to your final destination.
Large luggage costs extra: You’re allowed to take two small carry-ons (see below for details), and pay €5 extra for large luggage.
Use of an electric socket costs extra:€2 to plug in, and you need to reserve this ahead of time.
No dining car or bar
Arrive ahead of time: Ouigo insists that you must arrive at least 30 minutes before your train. With that extra margin, the staff checks tickets and herds everyone onto a large platform in order to leave the train idling in the station with passengers actually boarding for a minimum of time.
How to Purchase Ouigo Tickets — Even if You’re a Foreigner
Ouigo tickets are only available for purchase online. The Ouigo website is in French only and also tends to reject lots of foreigners’ credit cards, so that website is mainly useful for getting idea of the Ouigo routes that are available and their times and dates. Install the Google Translate extension in your browser if necessary.
Once you know exactly which train you want, it can be cheaper and much easier to book Ouigo tickets either with SNCF Connect or (by far the easiest) Trainline. On Trainline, Ouigo tickets come up automatically in the main search, so if you’re searching for a route and a day that is covered by the network, you won’t miss out on this possible discount option.
Trainline offers the same prices as the SNCF for Ouigo trains, though there may be a booking fee of a few percent. This fee can still be well worth it considering the hassle of the SNCF sites and their issues with foreign credit cards.
In addition, the Ouigo system only allows credit cards with addresses in the following countries to purchase tickets on any platform (Trainline or SNCF itself):
Andorra, Austria, Belgium,Cyprus,Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia,French Southern Territories, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Monaco, theNetherlands, New Caledonia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St Pierre and Miquelon, Sweden, Switzerland, United States and United Kingdom.
If your credit card has an address is an any other country it will be blocked. If that applies to you, we suggest trying Trainline with Paypal as unofficial workaround; we’d love to hear from our readers in the comments if that works.
If you do decide to book Ouigo tickets on OUI SNCF’s site, be sure not to let it automatically reroute you to Rail Europe, its site for foreigners, which has much higher charges.
Ouigo Baggage Restrictions, Explained in English
The SNCF lists its full text onOuigo baggage limits in French only; here’s our translation of that page into English:
All passengers (including babies and children) can take for free either:
Two pieces of hand luggage measuring maximum 36 x 27 x 15 cm (14 x 11 x 6 in), OR:
One piece of hand luggage measuring maximum 36 x 27 x 15 cm (22 x 14 x 10 in)and one carry-on piece measuring maximum 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 in).1Yes, we know; the SNCF defies logic by listing these as two different options.
If travelling with a child, you may also take a stroller; it must be declared when making the reservation, and must be folded in the train.
Larger luggage pieces (maximum 2 meters (7 feet) and less than 30 kg (66 lbs)) can be booked for €5 each, and each person can take up to two such larger pieces.
Arriving at the Train Station, Check-In, Waiting for Your Ouigo
You’re told by the SNCF that you must arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure for a Ouigo train.
There is no check-in process per se as with an airline. You move towards the area of the station with the quai (platform) for your train and you will generally go through a long line to actually access the platform. Only those with tickets may approach the platform, your friends must stay back.
You show your ticket on your app (Ouigo says it prefers this) or print-out ticket which is available four days before departure under the menu “mes réservations” (my reservations) on the Ouigo site. I recommend printing out tickets when possible, as phones are still a rather funky, unreliable technology compared to paper, and you don’t need to make sure a piece of paper is charged. But the app is fine too.
You will also be asked for a valid photo ID or passport; photocopies are not accepted.
If you don’t have your ticket or it is deemed “unreadable” you will be charged 5 euros by the staff. You will also be charged an extra 20 euros if you have exceeded the baggage limit.
Thirty minutes before the train arrives, everyone is thus crammed onto the same platform waiting for the train. It can be annoying. The boarding process is a lot more crowded and chaotic than with a regular train (these are train cars with lots of seats, and they often fill up). It’s a bit more comparable to boarding a plane, though not quite as packed in, tedious, and horrible, thankfully.
The Full List of Current Ouigo Routes
As of May 2019, this is the full listing of current routes on Ouigo.
Aix en provence – Lyon
Aix en provence Paris
Amiens – Angers
Amiens – Le Mans
Amiens Nantes
Amiens Paris
Amiens – Rennes
Angers – Lille
Angers – Paris
Angoulême – Bordeaux
Angoulême – Paris
Avignon – Lyon
Avignon – Paris
Bordeaux – Angoulême
Bordeaux – Paris
Colmar – Strasbourg
Colmar – Paris
Le Mans – Amiens
Le Mans – Lille
Le Mans – Lyon
Le Mans – Nantes
Le Mans – Paris
Le Mans – Rennes
Le Mans – Roubaix
Lille – Angers
Lille – Le Mans
Lille – Lyon
Lille – Nantes
Lille – Paris
Lille – Rennes
Lyon – Aix-en-provence
Lyon – Angers
Lyon – Avignon
Lyon – Le Mans
Lyon – Lille
Lyon – Marseille
Lyon – Montpellier
Lyon – Nîmes
Lyon – Paris
Lyon – Roubaix
Marseille – Lyon
Marseille – Paris
Metz Paris
Metz Reims
Metz Strasbourg
Montpellier – Lyon
Montpellier – Paris
Nancy Paris
Nancy Reims
Nancy Strasbourg
Nantes – Lille
Nantes – Paris
Nîmes – Lyon
Nîmes – Paris
Paris – Angoulême
Paris – Aix-en-provence
Paris – Amiens
Paris – Angers
Paris – Avignon
Paris – Bordeaux
Paris – Colmar
Paris – Le Mans
Paris – Lille
Paris – Lyon
Paris – Metz
Paris – Marseille
Paris – Montpellier
Paris – Nancy
Paris – Nantes
Paris – Nîmes
Paris – Rennes
Paris – Reims
Paris – Strasbourg
Paris – Valence
Rennes – Lille
Reims – Metz
Reims – Nancy
Reims – Paris
Reims – Strasbourg
Rennes – Paris
Strasbourg – Metz
Strasbourg – Nancy
Strasbourg – Paris
Strasbourg – Reims
Strasbourg – Colmar
Valence – Paris
Ouigo perhaps requires a bit more flexibility than some other modes of travel, but it can be one of the fastest and cheapest ways to cross France.
Also note that in addition to Ouigo, there are plenty of other ways to snag cheap train tickets for France, including a few other high speed lines that are cheap, described at the link.
Overall, I think it’s well worth it. We always recommend travelling light anyway (e.g. with ourfavorite wheeled carry-on backpack), and going low carbon wherever possible, so the overall Ouigo experience fits well with our Minimalist.Travel objectives.
OUIGO is a low-cost, high-speed train service operating under the SNCF brand in France and Spain. OUIGO is a popular choice for train travel as it offers passengers long-distance journeys within the French and Spanish rail network, at some of the most competitive prices.
Travelling with OUIGO? The price of your ticket includes one of two luggage options: two pieces of hand luggage up to 36 cm high x 27 cm wide x 15 cm deep. one piece of hand luggage (up to 36 cm high x 27 cm wide x 15 cm deep) and one carryon bag (up to 55 cm high x 35 cm wide x 25 cm deep)
Ouigo is one of the most popular train services in France, offering low-cost train tickets to several major towns and cities. It's fast, it's affordable, it's reliable, and you can buy Ouigo tickets right here at Omio.
As Ouigo services share the high speed lines with other (more expensive) services, they're operated so that they won't cause delay to other trains, so they tend to be as punctual as the TGV InOui services; when departing on time.
Once your booking is completed you will receive your ticket directly in your mail box from OUIGO Spain. You can print it or save it on PDF format on your phone ready to be used at check in. Make sure you save your travel document whether on paper or digital form and have it available at the station to board your train.
TGV inOui trains are faster, more comfortable, with more services than Ouigo or even traditional TGVs. Seats are roomier, the Wifi and toilets are better, and services such as luggage porters and taxi reservations are available. Business Première class is even more comfortable.
Although just as fast, Ouigo trains have no bar or food car, and there is only one class of seating. Similarly, passengers with suitcases larger than hand luggage must pay €5 per piece before getting on the train, and cannot use the TGV “home delivery service ("Bagages à Domicile SNCF")" for their luggage.
In an age where many passengers will have either unlimited or practically unlimited 4G that they could theoretically use instead, Morel explains that the key benefits for passengers buying the 4G connectivity OUIFI are that the wifi network itself connects to 4G cellular networks via a multi-modem, multi-antenna, multi ...
To travel between most big cities, the TGV is your best bet: these pioneering high-speed trains travel between 255 kph and 320 kph (160 mph and 200 mph) and will get you there within hours.
The record speed (achieved on a test track) is 574.8km/h. You can travel between Paris and Lille in one hour and two minutes and between Paris and Marseille in three hours and five minutes.
Luggage should be stored in the overhead luggage racks, under the seats and in the luggage compartments throughout the train. On some longer distance trains, it may be possible to store luggage in a separate area of the train.
These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris with Nice, Marseille, Frankfurt, Munich, Barcelona & Switzerland... 2nd class table for 4 on TGV Duplex upper deck... Cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style dishes.
To have plenty of time to find your car, your seat, to store your suitcases etc... we advise you to arrive 20 minutes before departure. Access to the train is guaranteed up to 2 minutes before departure, so avoid arriving at the very last minute!
When berths are reserved for passengers, the intention is to provide sleeping accommodation between ✅ 9 PM to 6 AM. During 6 AM to 9 PM, the passengers concerned, if required make room for other passengers in compartment up to its carrying capacity.
Fast: All Ouigo trains are fast trains (TGV), so travel times are short. Kid fares: All children 0-11 years old get their own seats for just €5 (or €8 if starting/ending in the center of Paris). Each child ticket also includes its own luggage, with the same size restrictions as adult fares.
Many airports are installing self-service check-in desks, which can help save time as there are rarely any queues for them. If you see one, type in your information on the screen (usually your eTicket's reservation number, your passport number, and/or your flight details), and it'll print your boarding pass for you.
For domestic flights, passengers do not have to show their e-tickets at the security checkpoints. However, it is advised to carry a print copy of the ticket for international flights.
For shorter day trips, AC Chair Car is usually the best option, although if you have a lot of luggage it can get tricky. If you have lots of luggage, go with AC 2 Tier or 3 Tier or First Class AC even for short distances. Well explained Deepa.
On TER routes served by next-generation Regiolis and Regio2N trains, we now offer more accessibility features for everyone, including independently accessible toilets.
Most long distance trains have a restaurant café where you can buy snacks or a meal for your journey but if you do not feel for train food you can of course bring your own, even a bottle of wine if you want to really be in keeping with the French, as there are of course no rules against drinking wine and eating cheese ...
On daytime trains, our on-board food and drink trolley comes to you, taking you on a culinary journey that changes with the seasons. Breakfast, a snack or a full meal? There are plenty of options, and the choice is yours. On overnight trains, ask your on-board service employee about our snack and breakfast offers.
Offensive articles, explosive, dangerous, inflammable articles and empty gas cylinders, dead poultry, and game, acids and other corrosive substance are not permitted to be booked as luggage. Trunks, suitcase and boxes having outside measurement of 100 cms.
For such scenarios there are provisions made in premium trains like Rajdhani,Shatabdi and Duranto Express trains where meals are provided onboard and if one of these trains get delayed , Indian Railways provide free meals to the passengers on these trains.
Prem's is the cheapest fare type, offering a reduced price for TGV and INTERCITÉS trains. This fare is very popular, so be sure to book well in advance to get a Prem's ticket.
For long-distance trains including all TGV, Intercités & Intercités de Nuit overnight trains, reservation is compulsory, but there are usually seats available even on the day of travel and you can buy a ticket immediately before the train departs. But there are much cheaper fares if you pre-book.
The TGV (French: Train à Grande Vitesse, "high-speed train"; previously TurboTrain à Grande Vitesse) is France's intercity high-speed rail service, operated by SNCF.
TGV inOui trains are faster, more comfortable, with more services than Ouigo or even traditional TGVs. Seats are roomier, the Wifi and toilets are better, and services such as luggage porters and taxi reservations are available. Business Première class is even more comfortable.
In an age where many passengers will have either unlimited or practically unlimited 4G that they could theoretically use instead, Morel explains that the key benefits for passengers buying the 4G connectivity OUIFI are that the wifi network itself connects to 4G cellular networks via a multi-modem, multi-antenna, multi ...
Travelling on TGV train is fast. The record speed (achieved on a test track) is 574.8km/h. You can travel between Paris and Lille in one hour and two minutes and between Paris and Marseille in three hours and five minutes.
The difference between 1st and 2nd class rail travel is the level of comfort and the facilities provided. A 1st class Eurail Pass is more expensive than a 2nd class Eurail Pass, but it also gives you access to seats with more space and extras that can even include food and beverages.
France's high-speed TGV trains always require seat reservations, and usually book up early. On most of Europe's trains, reservations aren't required, and there's plenty of seating for everyone.
There is no difference in the on-board service as no food or drink is included in 1st class on French domestic TGVs. 1st class is just nicer seating, with the option of solo seats or a face to face table for two.
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