France: How to Find Cheap Train Tickets?

In an environment where managing expenses is key, finding affordable ways to travel is essential. Our guide shows you the essential strategies for getting cheap SNCF tickets so you can enjoy your February vacations on a budget.

At a time when economic considerations are more important than ever, finding clever ways to save money on rail travel is a valuable pursuit. Here are some tips on how to find cheap SNCF tickets.

Booking in advance is one of the most effective strategies for getting cheap train tickets. By booking your February holiday tickets as soon as the SNCF starts selling them, you get to choose the dates that best suit your travel plans and benefit from the lowest fares.

Tickets for TGV Inoui and Intercités went on sale on November 15, 2023, for travel between February 10 and March 24, 2024. This offer applies to journeys within France and to certain European destinations, including Brussels-Province, Paris-Fribourg and Paris-Luxembourg.

It is interesting to note that tickets can be exchanged and refunded free of charge up to 3 days before departure. This makes planning easier.

Fares start from €10 for a number of one-way tickets, valid on certain days and trains, to a selection of destinations in France. As these fares are limited and subject to availability on eligible trains, don’t delay in purchasing your tickets. These went on sale on October 4, 2023, for travel between December 10, 2023 and July 9, 2024.

For those who are flexible with their dates, considering early morning or evening departures can result in significant savings compared to the more popular late day trains. Flexible hours can be an asset when looking for cheap train tickets.

The SNCF offers 7 different discount cards, each aimed at a different group of customers. However, as some season tickets don’t allow holders to travel during peak periods, we’ve selected three that can help you find cheap SNCF tickets during your vacation.

For frequent travellers, the discount cards can be an interesting option to reduce travel costs. The cartes Avantages, priced at 49 euros a year, offer holders and their travel companions a 30% discount on train tickets.

In addition, for journeys of less than 1 hour 30 minutes, the cost is capped at 49 euros. For journeys lasting between 1 h 30 and 3 h, the cost is capped at 69 euros. And finally, for journeys of over 3 hours, the cost is capped at 89 euros.

If long-term planning isn’t your strong point, national weekly or monthly packages can be interesting, especially if you travel frequently over short periods. Despite a potentially high initial cost, these packages guarantee that the cost of a ticket will never exceed 1.50 euros, regardless of when it is purchased. It is important to note, however, that these packages do not guarantee access to seats without prior reservation.

The carte Liberté may also be attractive, but only if you are a regular business traveler. It only offers a 30% discount on personal travel, despite costing considerably more per year than the carte Avantage.

It benefits from offering fixed-priced business travel. A Paris – Marseille train ticket, for example, will never exceed 67 euros, even if purchased at the last minute. And when there is no fixed fare for a given route, the carte Liberté offers a 45% discount in first class, even at the last minute. When traveling second class, tickets are available at a 60% discount.

The Grand Voyageur program rewards frequent travelers with points for every train journey. All you need to do is register for free on the SNCF website and create an SNCF CONNECT account. This will give you access to offers that allow you to buy train tickets at reduced prices.

Thanks to the Grand Voyageur SNCF loyalty program, travelers can benefit from codes worth up to 30% off, valid on TGV Inoui and Intercités routes.

Anticipation is the key to getting cheap train tickets at the best price, so make sure you book your seats on the SNCF website as soon as sales open. This is especially important if you’re travelling in a group, as it increases your chances of getting side-by-side seats.

If you’re a flexible traveller, consider leaving in the early morning or evening to save on traveling by train. If you travel a lot, you may also want to consider the carte Avantage or carte Liberté, which will give you significant discounts on train tickets. Enjoy your journey!