Looking for inspiration for your 2024 summer holiday? 🌻

Check out some of the most popular routes in France and start planning your sunny trip away this summer. Book early to avoid disappointment and snap up the best fares!

Go skiing in France by train

Les Arcs, Chamonix or Alpe d'Huez, many ski resorts in France are accessible by train. Forget about traffic and the hassle of snow tires, jump on a train instead and make the most of your ski holiday.

Getting to a ski resort by train has never been easier thanks to the extensive rail network covering France and its exceptional ski areas. Check out the best mountain destinations that can be easily accessed by train below:

  • Paris to Grenoble: you can get to Alpe d'Huez station thanks to the many shuttles departing from Grenoble station
  • Paris to Briançon: you can easily reach the alpine area of Montgenèvre from Briançon station 
  • Paris to Annecy: shuttles leave regularly from Annecy station to take you to La Clusaz station in Haute-Savoie
  • Paris to Lourdes: take the train to Lourdes to reach the Pyrénées

 

Direct trains to French ski resorts map

Why take the train to go skiing?

There's no luggage limit on trains

You can travel with skis, snowboards and any other ski equipment without paying a fee.

*Additional pieces of luggage are free on TGV and Intercités trains.

Forget about traffic

Thanks to the train, you'll arrive rested at your destination, ready to put your skis on! No more traffic jams, bad weather on the road and the many hours to find a parking space.

Choose a greener mode of transport

Getting to a ski resort by train rather than driving or flying is a greener option. This year, do something good for the planet!

In need of some inspiration?

Our map below shows some of our most popular French rail routes and journey durations from Paris.

With SNCF, it's easy to travel by TGV, Intercités or OUIGO trains to some of the must-see destinations in France. Here's a simple explanation of the different services:

  • TGV – these high-speed trains travel at over 300 km/h to connect the major cities in France like Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and Marseille.
  • Intercités – although these trains aren't high-speed, they provide rail connections to cities not served by the TGV network.
  • OUIGO – these low-cost, high-speed trains are popular for long-distance journeys within France. Ideal for those wanting to keep travel costs low. 

France is also well connected to Europe by rail via a number of different train companies  we're here to help make understanding it easy. We’ll get you across the Channel from the UK, via Eurostar, and around France for less. Plus, with our free app in your hand, all your tickets and timetables are in one place. For more information on train travel in France, check out our dedicated page to trains in France. Bon voyage!

 

Popular destinations

Ready to plan your next trip to France? Tap one of the most popular French destinations below for some useful travel tips.

Ticket sale by train company

Check out when the different companies in France and around Europe start releasing their cheapest fares if you don't want to miss out on any bargains.

Train company

How much in advance can I book tickets?

TGV and Intercités

4 months in advance (except for summer, Christmas and February holidays)

OUIGO

2 to 9 months in advance

Eurostar

6 months in advance

TGV Lyria

4 months in advance

Trenitalia

3 months in advance
Deutsche Bahn6 months in advance

Frequently Asked Questions

When do SNCF Christmas tickets go on sale?

SNCF Christmas 2023 train tickets are on sale from 4th October 2023.

Which train tickets are available to buy for winter travel?

Cheap TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS tickets are available to buy for travel between 10th December 2023 and 9th January 2024. Cheap OUIGO tickets are also available to buy for travel between 10th December 2023 and 5th July 2024.

What time does SNCF seat release take place?

The exact time of SNCF seat release has not been communicated yet, but in general SNCF ticket sales start early in the morning.

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.