So much more than the TGV (Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Francais SNCF (France))

Member Name: jamesontheroad

Product:	Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Francais SNCF (France)
Date:	13/03/08 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Speed, great value advance purchase tickets, increasingly smooth connections with other services

Disadvantages: TGV not actually that comfortable on board: faster train means less requirement for restaurant etc

SNCF is most famous for being the network that developed and deployed the TGV - the fastest traditionally railed passenger train anywhere in the world. The TGV, and its offspring Thalys (a TGV between France and the Low Countries) and Eurostar (between London and Paris and London and Brussels) are part of a wider European highspeed network that is being developed as a renaissance for the railways. The proof of its popularity can be seen in the gradual reduction in air service between key cities, such as Paris and Brussels or London and Brussels.

The TGV operates almost exclusively in a hub and spoke fashion out from Paris, so if traveling from one region to another you will often find the TGV's speed makes it quicker to go 'back' to Paris and out again.

One downside is that with every TGV route implemented the older and slower parallel lines have their passenger service suspended. This forces you onto the TGV, which saves time but also pushes the basic fare up. From major TGV hubs and stations is an impressive network of regional and local routes called 'Ter'.

Other notable trains are the excellent Corail Lunéa trains - these are older couchette trains that have been rebranded as youthful dormitory trains. There's no restaurant car or bar service - so don't be expecting an Agatha Christie style train of grand luxury - but with snazzy sleeping bags and vending machines for snacks and beverages, these are super-cheap trains for covering ground quickly. Fall asleep in Strasbourg and wake up in Marseille or Cannes for as little as Euro19 each way.

Passengers from outside France can book connecting travel on Eurostar and other international trains through travel agents or specialist rail agencies. However if you want to travel around France and take advantage of the best fares, you should get used to voyages-sncf.com - the official ticket sales site of SNCF. It's mightily confusing, especially because it also sells plane tickets and vacation packages, but there is an English language version and once you get the hang of the routes you want you can quickly find the cheapest tickets or alternative itineraries.

Summary: Never fly within France or western Europe again