Air France: How to Book a Combined Train and Plane Trip?

Updated Oct 17, 2024
Fact checked by
Vicky Moreau
Vicky Moreau

Vicky Moreau

Vicky Moreau
Canadian by birth and European at heart, Vicky now moves between France and Germany, where she settled five years ago. A lover of words and adventure, she explores new places by van or on foot, immersing herself in diverse cultures. An expert in Flying Blue and Membership Rewards programs in France, Vicky is also well-versed in French banking options, including BoursoBank.
All posts by Vicky Moreau
Airbus A380 signé Air France
To the point Air France's Plane + Train program grants its passengers the opportunity to book a single ticket for a combined trip including both TGV and airfare.

Thanks to Train + Air, a collaboration between Air France and SNCF, travelers from all over France can get a single ticket for a trip by TGV Inoui and by plane. This offers passengers a smooth, hassle-free travel experience with reduced environmental impact, as well as the guarantee of a seat on the next available flight or train in the event of delays.

Initially offered on 33 routes to and from Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, Train + Air continues to expand. Since last year, eight new routes have been added, bringing to 41 the total number of TGV Inoui services offered by Air France. A look at a service that’s keeps gaining in popularity.

Last update: August 22, 2024

TGV and plane with Air France - Which destinations and stations are served?

Air France offers Train + Air to/from 22 French stations. However, its borders are not limited to France. In addition to a service within France, Air France and KLM, thanks to Air&Rail and a partnership with Eurostar, offer travelers from Brussels the possibility of reaching Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol, and travelers from Antwerp the possibility of reaching Amsterdam-Schiphol.

Destinations Train + Air desservies par Air France
Destinations Train + Air desservies par Air France

Train/TGV and plane Air France - Service to/from Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

There are around twenty French and Belgian stations that are linked to Paris-Charles de Gaulle by Air France’s Train + Air network. Here are the associated stations :

  • Aix-en-Provence TGV
  • Angers Saint-Laud
  • Arras
  • Avignon TGV
  • Bordeaux Saint-Jean
  • Brussels (Belgium)
  • Champagne-Ardenne TGV
  • Laval
  • Le Mans
  • Lille Europe
  • Lille Flandres
  • Lyon Part-Dieu
  • Marseille Saint-Charles
  • Metz Nancy-Lorraine TGV
  • Montpellier Saint-Roch
  • Nantes
  • Nîmes Centre
  • Perpignan
  • Poitiers (near Futuroscope)
  • Rennes
  • Saint-Pierre-des-Corps
  • Strasbourg
  • Valence TGV

Train/TGV and plane Air France - Service to/from Paris-Orly

As part of the range of TGV services offered by Air France, some twenty French stations are also connected to Paris-Orly. It should be pointed out, however, that these connections are not accessible from or to Belgium, limiting access to Paris-Orly to passengers traveling from French stations.

For Paris-Orly airport, connections are made at Massy TGV station. When a combined ticket is booked with Air France, a driver – whose costs are covered by the airline – waits for the passenger with a sign bearing his or her name.

Here are the French stations linked to Paris-Orly:

  • Aix-en-Provence TGV
  • Angers Saint-Laud
  • Arras
  • Avignon TGV
  • Bordeaux Saint-Jean
  • Champagne-Ardenne TGV
  • Laval
  • Le Mans
  • Lille Europe
  • Lille Flandres
  • Lyon Part-Dieu
  • Marseille Saint-Charles
  • Metz Nancy-Lorraine TGV
  • Nantes
  • Poitiers
  • Rennes
  • Saint-Pierre-des-Corps
  • Strasbourg
  • Valence TGV

Train/TGV and plane Air France - Service to/from Amsterdam

Passengers can also travel between Amsterdam-Schiphol and Brussels-Midi or Antwerp-Central thanks to a collaboration between Air France and Eurostar. However, the connection to Amsterdam-Schiphol must not exceed 24 hours and must include an international flight with KLM, departing from the Dutch capital.

Train/TGV and plane Air France - Service to/from Brussels Midi

Travelers can also select a combined trip between Brussels and Paris thanks to a partnership between Air France and Air&Rail agencies. And whatever cabin they choose on Air France planes, they travel first class on the TGV between the two capitals.

Air&Rail even offers to take charge of passengers’ luggage, subject to available space on the TGV. Passengers simply drop off their baggage at the check-in desks in the Air&Rail terminal at Brussels-Midi station.

If you are traveling in La Première or Business cabins at Standard or Flex fares, or if you hold Flying Blue Platinum or Gold status, or SkyTeam Elite Plus status, you also benefit from access to Eurostar lounges before your train departs.

Train/TGV and plane Air France - Service to/from Switzerland

Thanks to a collaboration between Air France and SBB, the Swiss rail company, travelers can now transfer by train in Switzerland when they book a Train + Air ticket with Air France. A total of six stations are served from Geneva and Zurich.

  • Stations served from Geneva: Berne, Biel/Bienne, Fribourg, Lausanne
  • Stations served from Zurich: Bern, St. Gallen, Thun

Train/TGV and Plane With Air France - How to Book a Combined Flight

To book your combined TGV and air travel, simply go to the Air France website, on the new bookings page, and enter the name of your departure or arrival station, as if it were an airport.

Combined Train + Air journeys are offered when you are traveling between a serviced station and an international destination, and your connection is less than 24 hours. Flights to overseas France are also included.

Train/TGV and plane with Air France - How to pick up a ticket

Since 2022, passengers opting for the Train + Air system have received a single digital ticket covering the entire journey. On it is a QR code valid for both rail and air travel. This means you no longer need to collect your paper train ticket from the station.

Train/TGV and Plane With Air France - Fares

A ticket combining flight and TGV is no more expensive than the same ticket combining two flights. For a one-way flight between Marseille and Montreal, via Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Air France charges just over 1,000 euros. This fare is just as valid for a ticket combining a flight and a TGV train as for a ticket combining two flights.

Marseille-Montreal with Air France

The only downside, however, is when you compare the price of a Marseille-Montreal ticket with a Paris-Montreal ticket. On the same date, the airline charges just under 200 euros for a flight between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Montreal. And if you take a look at the SNCF website, you’ll see that it’s possible to travel by TGV between Marseille and Paris (still on the same date) for less than 20 euros.

Paris-Montreal with Air France

Opting for separate tickets is therefore much cheaper than taking a Train + Air ticket. It should be noted, however, that travelers who choose to book a train ticket and a plane ticket independently have no protection in the event of a delay. Normal pricing conditions apply.

If you decide to pay for a Train + Air ticket with your Flying Blue Miles, the offer suddenly becomes much more attractive. In fact, there is no difference in price between a combined TGV and flight between Lille and Montreal and a direct trip between Paris and Montreal; both routes are offered at 20,000 Flying Blue Miles and 103 euros.

Reward Flight Lille-Montreal with Air France

In addition, paying with Flying Blue Miles, a trip between Marseille and Montreal is less expensive when you choose the Train + Air option than when you opt for two connecting flights.

Reward Flight Marseille-Montreal with Air France

Admittedly, these are just examples; fares are subject to change depending on the destinations served by Air France and the time of year. However, we can see that the Train + Air option is not always the most profitable. Opting for a separate plane and TGV ticket could be cheaper; however, it does involve the risk of missing your connection.

If you have accumulated enough Flying Blue Miles to purchase an Award Ticket, we recommend that you keep an eye on the Flying Blue Promo Awards. These standard award tickets are offered at discounted rates that vary every month.

Conditions in Case of Delay

Booking a combined trip by TGV and plane with Air France offers a significant advantage: protection in the event of train or plane delays. If the connection is missed, passengers are re-routed free of charge on the next train or flight, with the possibility, where applicable, of a night’s hotel accommodation, paid for by Air France.

It is important to note, however, that not taking the first train, whether due to delay or any other reason, can result in a “no show” and potentially invalidate the flight ticket, or even the entire booking. Similarly, for the return journey, the plane journey is imperative for the train ticket to be valid.

Baggage Allowance

Luggage transfer is not provided between train and plane, in either direction. On arrival at the airport, travelers must go to the airline counter to check in their checked baggage. And when you land, don’t forget to collect your luggage before continuing your journey by train.

Bottom Line

For nearly 30 years now, Air France and SNCF have been offering their passengers a way to combine train/TGV and air travel in the same reservation, for a seamless end-to-end journey. A particularly interesting service, especially for reducing your environmental footprint. It’s important to note, however, that Train + Air tickets are not always the cheapest, so it’s worth taking the time to compare prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of transfer does Air France offer between Massy TGV station and Paris-Orly airport?

For Paris-Orly airport, connections are made at Massy TGV station. When a combined ticket is booked with Air France, a driver – whose costs are covered by the airline – waits with a sign bearing the customer’s name, facilitating the transfer to the airport.

Can I earn Flying Blue Miles with Train + Air?

Yes, you can also earn Flying Blue Miles on train segments.

Are pets allowed?

Yes, pets are allowed, but only under certain conditions. Dogs and cats must travel in a special closed bag, no larger than 46 x 28 x 24 cm and weighing no more than 6 kg. Once at the station, it’s also important to go to the SNCF ticket office to buy your pet a train ticket.

Is it possible to book a Train + Air ticket between Lille and Paris-Orly?

Yes, it is possible to book a Train + Air ticket between Lille Flandres or Lille Europe and Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Paris-Orly.

Is it possible to book a Train + Air ticket between Lyon and Paris?

Yes, it is possible to book a Train + Air ticket between Lyon Part-Dieu and Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Paris-Orly.

Is it possible to book a Train + Air ticket between Strasbourg and Paris?

Yes, it is possible to book a Train + Air ticket between Strasbourg and Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Paris-Orly.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Vicky Moreau

Vicky Moreau

Vicky Moreau
Canadian by birth and European at heart, Vicky now moves between France and Germany, where she settled five years ago. A lover of words and adventure, she explores new places by van or on foot, immersing herself in diverse cultures. An expert in Flying Blue and Membership Rewards programs in France, Vicky is also well-versed in French banking options, including BoursoBank.
All posts by Vicky Moreau
Region
Europe, Belgium, Brussels, France, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, Toulouse, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Zurich

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