SNCF Intercités trains: travel by day and night
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Intercités in 2 minutes
SNCF for main and medium lines
The most extensive network in France
135 French towns crossed per day
8.4 million passengers a year
Day and night services
Average speed of 200 km/h
Live since 2006
Find the cheapest SNCF tickets
Don't forget to buy tickets as soon as they go on sale! The first SNCF tickets on sale can be up to 2x cheaper, but be quick. The best prices go very quickly. The longer you wait, the more you risk paying.
Where can I travel with Intercités?
With its Intercités offer, the SNCF makes it possible to reach 135 destinations in France, linked by day and night routes. Unlike Ouigo and Inoui, Intercités are trains that are not TGVs and therefore serve many French towns and cities that are not necessarily connected to the high-speed network, and above all for a lower price. Indeed, Intercités allow you to travel to the centre of France, which is less often accessible by TGV. You can take the main Paris-Toulouse or Bordeaux-Marseille lines, but also less popular lines such as Paris-Limoges and Paris-Clermont Ferrand. Journeys are generally longer, due to the greater number of stops made, allowing all passengers to get as close as possible to the destination of their choice.
The Intercités offer also includes convenient and comfortable night trips. They provide a unique but above all economical experience.
Intercités de nuit: travel differently
This is the important feature of the Intercités trains: the night Intercités trains. An idea that has been abandoned and then revived in recent years, perfectly answering the question of a practical, economical and ecological mode of transport. And yes, these night Intercités allow you to save a night's accommodation on the spot. So you arrive at your destination early in the morning ready to start the day!
SNCF currently offers the following night Intercités routes:
Paris - Nice through Marseille, Cannes and Antibes
Paris - Toulouse through Cahors and Montauban
Paris - Briançon through Gap
Paris - Lourdes through Tarbes (extended to Hendaye in summer)
Paris - Latour de Carol through Foix, Argelès sur Mer
Paris - Cerbère through Carcassonne, Narbonne or Collioure
What types of seats are available?
There are several types of seats available on Intercités night journeys:
Seats from 19€, which are benches equipped with a footrest and headrest
Bunk beds from 29€: you will be provided with bedding, a duvet and a pillowcase. In addition, you will also get a bottle of water, refreshing wipes and ear plugs as well as a smartphone wipe (only in 1st class).
Finally, the SNCF offers women-only compartments on these Intercités night trains, at no extra cost and subject to availability, to ensure a quiet journey. The compartment is the one closest to the ticket controllers' cabin. All you have to do is select this compartment from the list of available seats when you make your reservation. Unfortunately this option is not yet available on Kombo but will be available soon.
Can my child travel on Intercités at night?
As with standard tickets, children under 4 years can travel free of charge in the same bunk bed as you, unless you want them to have their own bed. In this case, you will need to buy a Toddler Night ticket for 9€.
Children over 4 and under 12 years of age receive a 50% discount.
Can passengers with reduced mobility travel on Intercités at night?
Intercités night trains are currently not accessible to wheelchair users. However, visually, hearing and mentally impaired people with an accompanying person can travel on these Intercités trains. We'll tell you about the accessibility of daytime Intercités later.
What types of Intercités tickets are available?
The offers on board Intercités trains are almost the same as those of the Inoui TGV. There are 4 types of tickets:
SECONDE: SECONDE tickets, as the name suggests, give access to second class seats. These are limited availability tickets, the price of which increases as the departure date approaches. So the earlier you book, the better your chances of getting a low price. SECOND tickets are conditionally exchangeable or refundable. This fare is only available on Inoui TGVs and Intercités trains.
PREM'S: PREM'S tickets are the cheapest tickets. They are available in second and first class. For these tickets, it is first come first served, as only a limited number of PREM'S tickets are available. Therefore, it is important to book in advance. PREM'S tickets are conditionally exchangeable or refundable. This fare is only available for the TGV Inoui and Intercités.
PREMIERE: Première fares give access to first class seats. More space, more comfort thanks to more space and a reclining seat. You can also choose your seat at the time of booking. As with second class fares, first class tickets increase as the departure date approaches. So hurry to get access to the cheaper TGV First Class seats.
BUSINESS PREMIERE: This is the flexible First Class fare. Like the Première fare, it allows you to choose your seat in First Class, offers the same comfort and gives you access to the Grand Voyageur lounge in stations. Most importantly, tickets can be exchanged or refunded up to 30 minutes after departure. This offer is very practical for daytime return journeys, as it allows you to worry less about TGV timetables.
More information on Intercités trains...
Can I eat in Intercités train?
Intercités trains do not have a bar coach, but a mobile catering service available throughout your journey, serving you directly at your seat. It offers you sweets, snacks, salads and ready meals, as well as hot and cold drinks.
This catering service is available on the following routes:
In order to be served more quickly for the greediest, you even have the possibility to pre-order your meal directly online. Pre-ordering is open from 3 months before departure, and up to 1 hour before.
How to travel with family?
Family areas are available for passengers travelling together. Located in the second class carriages, this space of 4 seats face to face with a table allows your children to draw, play or have their meal. These spaces are displayed at the time of your reservation under the name "Carré Familial" when a seat preference is added. They are then allocated, subject to availability.
Are Intercités trains accessible to passengers with reduced mobility?
Intercités trains have dedicated wheelchair spaces in first class. In addition, accompanying persons are entitled to a special reduced fare. It is also possible to ask for assistance when boarding by contacting the SNCF, either online or by telephone on 3635.
Wifi is free!
Wifi is available free of charge on the following Intercités lines:
So you can make the most of your journey!
Can I travel with my pet?
Unlike buses, trains, and therefore SNCF Intercités trains, allow you to bring your faithful companion with you, provide him a ticket!
Animals weighing less than 6 kg must travel in a dog cage (45cm x 30cm x 25cm) at your feet or on your knees. The fare is €7.
Pets over 6kg must be muzzled and kept on a lead. The ticket price is 50% of the full 2nd class fare.
However, you cannot bring more than 2 animals per passenger.
Unfortunately this option is not yet available on Kombo but will be available soon.
Can I travel with my bicycle?
Yes, non-folding bicycles must be registered when you make your reservation, at a cost of 10€ for Intercités. Foldable bicycles can be transported free of charge if you carry them in a suitable bag. This option will also soon be available on Kombo.
On board Intercités trains without a reservation requirement, bike racks or hooks are available on some trains, and this service remains free of charge
How do I cancel my Intercités tickets?
Depending on the type of ticket you buy, SNCF has different conditions for changing and cancelling tickets. If you want to exchange your ticket, check whether the fare you have chosen allows you to do so from your after-sales area. Similarly, you can cancel your ticket directly online if the fare allows it.
Most Intercités tickets are "semi-flexible": you can cancel your ticket from your after-sales area, right up until departure. Less than 6 days before departure, 40% of the ticket price is refunded (maximum €15 fee). If you choose to exchange your ticket less than 30 minutes before departure, it will no longer be refundable.j't
The ticket is "non-flexible": due to their competitive price, some Intercités tickets cannot be cancelled.
The ticket is "flexible": an Intercités ticket can be flexible when you select a first class journey with the "flexible" option. You can then cancel or exchange your ticket, free of charge, up to 30 minutes after departure, from your Kombo customer service area.
We've also put together a guide on how to cancel your train tickets easily.
How to pay less for Intercités tickets?
SNCF Intercités tickets are generally available 4 months before the departure date. The earlier you buy a ticket, the cheaper the price! Here's how the SNCF Intercités sales calendar usually works:
Early October of the previous year for trains running from mid-December to early January of the following year
Early November of the previous year for trains running from early January to late March of the following year
Early January for trains running from late March to mid-May
Early March for trains running from early July to early September
Early May for trains running from early September to early December
You can also subscribe to the SNCF Advantage Cards which allow you to benefit from 30% off your Intercités tickets.
Also keep an eye out for good deals sent by Kombo. To do so, simply subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page.
The good plan: The SNCF Advantage Card
You can also benefit from discounts on Intercités trains thanks to the SNCF Advantage Card. The Avantage Card, which costs 49€ per year, allows you to travel at an advantageous price all year round as it offers you a 30% discount. It is available in 3 forms:
The Youth Advantage Card: 12-27 years old
The Adult Advantage Card: 27-59 years old
The Senior Advantage Card: +60 years old
How much does a child's Intercités train ticket cost?
Any child under the age of 4 can travel free of charge on an Intercités train, as long as they travel in the same seat as the parent. If you want your child to travel on his or her own seat, you will need to opt for the 9€ Toddler fare.
Children over 4 and under 12 years of age benefit from a 50% discount.
What luggage can I bring?
The SNCF does not impose a weight limit or maximum number of baggage items for Intercités journeys, but you must be able to carry them yourself.
Some advice before travelling by Intercités
Access to the Intercités train is allowed up to 2 minutes before departure, but to avoid the stress of departure we suggest to arrive at least 30 minutes early.
Don't forget your tickets (which may be on your phone) as well as your ID and possibly your discount card, to avoid any problems when checking your ticket.
Label your luggage, as this will be very useful in case of loss. All station ticket offices in France provide free labels.
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