TGV, OUIGO or TER in France?
Understand which French train fits your trip before comparing the fare, station and luggage allowance.
For Paris to another major city, a fast train may save most of a day. For a short trip along the coast or between nearby towns, TER is often the service you need. Start with the journey, then choose the train. There is no reason to pay for speed you cannot use.
SNCF Connect lets you compare departures, but read the service name and station in each result. Two trains sold on the same website can have quite different conditions.
TGV INOUI for longer journeys
TGV INOUI services have reserved seats and fares that depend on the journey and booking conditions. Compare a few sensible departure times if your plans are flexible. The cheapest train is not much of a saving if reaching it needs an expensive early taxi.
Check change and refund terms before paying. SNCF lists where to find the conditions for each fare. Keep those terms with the booking if flexibility matters to your trip.
OUIGO needs a closer look at extras
OUIGO offers lower-cost services, but the final price depends on what you add. Check luggage, seat choices and the actual arrival station. OUIGO Grande Vitesse and OUIGO Train Classique are different products; the brand name alone does not promise a high-speed journey.
French OUIGO's included baggage is limited. If you need a larger suitcase, compare the total with the extra bag added. Follow the arrival and boarding instructions on the ticket rather than borrowing the timing from another train company.
TER for regional travel
TER services are organised by region. They are useful for local trips and can make a good way to visit a nearby town without moving hotels. However, there is no single flexible-ticket rule covering every TER offer.
SNCF's TER guidance explains that validity depends on the ticket and regional conditions. Check whether yours allows another departure on the same route and date before changing plans.
Look at the return timetable before leaving, especially on Sundays or during engineering work. For a border trip, our France–Italy train guide explains the two main routes and the works notices currently affecting them.