Do you find yourself taking the same train route several times a week? Subscribing to the SNCF ‘s Max passes could be the right ticket for you. These passes are essential for young people, senior citizens and professionals who have to travel on a weekly basis, as they allow them to book train tickets free of charge. Here’s a look.
The SNCF offers four types of Max season passes, subscribed for on a yearly basis.
The Max pass is aimed at young people and seniors looking for a flexible solution that doesn’t require them to plan ahead, while the Max Actif and Max Actif+ cards are designed for professionals who travel between 3 and 5 times a week.
The Max Actif pass entitles the holder to 250 journeys per year on a predefined route, Monday to Thursday, on TGV and INTERCITÉS trains, while the Max Actif+ pass entitles the holder to 450 journeys per year on TGV, INTERCITÉS and TER trains.
The Max Jeune pass is for people aged between 16 and 27. It allows you to travel on selected TGVs INOUI , INTERCITÉS only with a reservation and OUIGO trains to destinations in France, Luxembourg, and Germany, for just 79 euros a month.
Its advantages include the ability to :
For senior citizens, the benefits are the same. However, journeys must be made on weekdays from Monday to Friday, with the exception of busy periods such as Friday afternoons and evenings, Monday mornings and the days preceding major holidays, and long week-ends.
If you find yourself making multiple trips every week on the same route, all year round, the Max Actif Pass could be the ideal solution for you. Designed specifically for remote work professionals who travel two or three times a week, this subscription offers a range of essential benefits, such as the possibility of :
Grand Voyageur Le Club status enables passengers to earn points and redeem them for train tickets or discounts, to obtain discounts on TGV INOUI services, to be entitled to the Accès Express service in France’s main stations and to access the TGV INOUI Grand Voyageur lounges.
The Max Actif+ pass offers the same benefits as the Max Actif pass, but is aimed at travelers who travel four to five times a week. It offers 450 free trips, unlike the Max Actif pass, which only offers 250.
The price of the Max pass for both young people and seniors is set at 79 euros per month. The price of Max Actif and Max Actif+ passes, on the other hand, is calculated according to several criteria, including the class chosen and the distance covered.
According to the SNCF, with a Max Actif pass, a second-class journey costs an average of 18 euros, while a classic ticket costs between 40 and 45 euros on average. This calculation takes into account recent price changes.
Of course, the greater the distance, the higher the cost.
SNCF Max Actif and Max Actif+ passes are taken out for the year, although they are payable monthly. In the event of early termination, a charge equivalent to one monthly payment will be levied.
For the time being, there are no special offers on the SNCF Max Actif card: the price remains unchanged. We will, of course, keep you informed if this changes.
Max passes for young people and senior citizens, as well as Max Actif and Max Actif+ passes, are ideal for customers who need to take the train several times a week, on the same route.
To be worthwhile, however, a passenger would have to travel 3 to 5 times a week, and must be flexible, as there are sometimes capacity constraints. It is also important to check the SNCF website to find out which TGV INOUI lines are available with Max Actif and Max Actif+ cards, as they are offered on a limited and defined list of routes.
To obtain the Max Actif pass, first go to the SNCF website. Next, choose the type of subscription, Max Actif or Max Actif+, the arrival and departure station, and the travel cabin.
The SNCF Max Actif subscription is taken out for the year, although it is payable monthly. It entitles you to 250 journeys per year on a predefined route, Monday to Thursday, on TGV and INTERCITÉS trains.
The price of the Max pass for both young people and seniors is set at 79 euros per month. The price of Max Actif and Max Actif+ passes, on the other hand, is calculated according to several criteria, including the class chosen and the distance travelled with the SNCF.
The best train pass subscription for you depends on your age and how often you travel. If you travel a lot for work, the SNCF‘s Liberté Card is a great way to avoid the sometimes exorbitant cost of last-minute bookings. If you’re travelling with your family for personal reasons, you may be better off with the Advantage Card, which is more affordable.
The most advantageous SNCF pass for people who commute to work two or three days a week is the Max Actif pass. The subscription allows you to book up to 250 free train tickets per year with the rail company, subject of course to a certain monthly fee.
It is impossible to obtain a free Max Actif pass. In 2023, fraudsters posed as SNCF and invited travelers to buy Max Actif+ passes at knocked-down prices in order to obtain their bank details, but it was a scam. Watch out!
The SNCF Max Actif pass is a cost-effective way to take the TGV if you travel frequently on the same route, at least two or three times a week. With monthly fares ranging from 300 to 600 euros, it offers significant savings on regular journeys. Each ticket costs an average of 18 euros, compared with 40 to 45 euros without a subscription. The benefits of the pass are even greater if you make regular trips and take full advantage of the 250 annual trips included.
Savings are here:
