TGV, High Speed French train from the SNCF

Railroads – TGV: The French High Speed Train

Moving around France is easy. First of all, you have a great motorway network, called the “Autoroutes“. Although most of them are toll roads (=Peages), they are well maintained and offer many service areas along the way. But if driving a car, or riding a motorcycle, is not your preferred way of moving through the country, you’ll end up taking an airplane, or the train.

For most of the middle-to-long distances on the French railroads, you’ll probably be taking the TGV (in French “Train A Grand Vitesse”), or in plain English “High Speed Train”.

Designed in the 70’s, the first high speed line opened in 1981, joining the city of Paris to Lyon followed by many other cities linked to Paris and then connecting cities to other cities, excluding Paris.

Travelling between cities in different regions, but not via the TGV, is called the “Intercites” (which includes Night Trains and Car/Auto Trains), while travelling within a region is called “TER“.

Speed

As indicated in the service name, this is a high speed train; the TGV holds the record of the fastest train, namely 574,8 kph (357,2 mph). But that doesn’t mean that if you take a TGV ride you’ll be travelling at those speeds – not even close. The top speed a “normal” TGV takes, with passengers, is around the 300 kph (190 mph).

Below you’ll see a screen capture of a recent (2018) trip between Amsterdam and Paris on the High Speed train “Thalys”. But these speeds are very unusual.

GPS speed captured on a recent trip Paris-Amsterdam
GPS speed captured on a recent trip Paris-Amsterdam

But if you think that hopping onto the TGV train will see you catapulted immediately (and continuously) at speeds very few cars can ever attain, you’d be wrong again. The train rails used for high speed are special; they are reenforced to withstand the enormous pressures the TGV train generates on the railroad itself. But that doesn’t means the TGV can only run on specially designed rails; it also uses the normal rails that standard French trains use. As the high speed rails are very expensive, not all the line is built around these high speed tracks. In other words, the average speed of the TGV is considerably less that the 300 kph, since there are parts of the line where the train must slow down. But it still runs faster than normal trains, even on normal rail tracks.

Comfort

Another good reason to take a TGV train is the comfort level! These trains are very aerodynamic, so there’s very little outside noise, and they are also very well sound-proofed. So the inside is very quite.

Double decker TGV train
Double decker TGV train

Some, if not many, of the TGV trains are double deckers nowadays. This way they can fit more passengers on the same train, keeping costs down. You’ll not really notice any difference in comfort.

Stairs leading to the upper level of a TGV train
Stairs leading to the upper level of a TGV train

Both upper and lower platforms are accessible from the inside only by a narrow stairway, found at each wagon’s entry/exit door level.

Another important factor in the comfort is the stability of the train. Imagine going over “bumpy” rail-tracks or traveling at 300 kph in a long curve … you could blackout at this speeds due to the increased g-force. So the TGV has an interesting active suspension system that works on the opposing forces, giving you are very smooth ride. In fact, I remember a TV advertisement for the TGV many decades ago that showed a full glass of wine on a TGV passenger table; while the train took a curve at high speed, not a single drop of wine was spilled. Try that on any other normal train.

The seats are very comfortable, and most have airplane-like controls, meaning you can slide the seat forward or backward by pushing a button. Most TGV trains have a first and second class, and most have a restaurant/bar car, although “restaurant” is a big word (don’t expect an “Orient Express” style restaurant) …. it’s more a snack-bar where they heat up food items like toast, pasta etc. But the standing room only eat-area has a panoramic view of the countryside passing by at high speed.

Bar/Restauration car on the Thalys High Speed Train, TGV.
Bar/Restauration car on the Thalys High Speed Train, TGV.

However, some of the TGV trains, particularly the international long distance ones, can serve warm meals at your seat in First Class. For Second Class, you’ll need to head for the bar car and bring the sandwiches to your seat yourself.

Wifi

Wifi, via 4G networks, is being rolled out throughout the French TGV network. Not all destinations are available, but more and more are coming online.

TGV Wifi coverage map
TGV Wifi coverage map

1st / 2nd Class

1st class of one of the TGV trains, High Speed French train from the SNCF
1st class of one of the TGV trains, High Speed French train from the SNCF

1st class travel offer wider seats (therefore there are 3 seats in a row – either 2 +1 or 3 in a cabin, instead of 4 in 2nd class), a bit more legroom and several of the seats have a small lamp on the table or window. The single seats can be totally alone, or facing each other.

2nd class of one of the TGV trains, High Speed French train from the SNCF
2nd class of one of the TGV trains, High Speed French train from the SNCF

Even the second class is very comfortable. The seats, though more narrow, have the same functions as in first class, there are just more people seated in the wagon.

Most TGV wagons offer either cabins (where depending on the class type you sit with 8 or 6 people), face-to-face seating, and even single seats.

Wheelchairs

Most, if not all, TGV trains have dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, however, they are all located in the first class cars. But fear not, the price is that of second class, so you’ll not be paying extra to travel with a wheelchair. There’s even space for 2 fellow travellers, and the wheelchair area is located close to the wheelchair-accessible toilets.

Almost all stations in France are now fully equipped to accommodate wheelchairs, including ramps and elevators. But it’s important and highly recommendable that you notify the railroad that you are planning to travel with a wheelchair.

Network

2018 Map of the TGV network in France and neighbouring countries
2018 Map of the TGV network in France and neighbouring countries

As stated in the beginning of the article, travelling between most French cities usually implies taking the TGV. There are several TGV lines nowadays, you can see the 2018 network in the map above (all yellow/red circles and squares are current destinations for the TGV).

TIP: For a complete list of railway stations that accommodate the TGV trains in France and neighbouring countries, click here.

The major TGV lines have specific names (like TGV Atlantique – the trains that link Paris to the Atlantic coast) and colours. For the majority of lines, the starting or ending point is one of the Paris railway stations (Gare du Nord, Gare Montparnasse, Gare de Lyon, Gare de l’Est), but not all lines start or end in Paris. There are a few lines between other French cities (like Le Havre to Marseille, although the line does pass alongside Paris, it doesn’t stop there and only once past Paris does it speed up).

The Paris “Gare du Nord” station is a major line linking Paris to the Northern part of France (cities like Lille and Calais), but also Belgium, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The operation of the Paris to United Kingdom is performed by the Eurostar (independent of the French SNCF, which is a partner/co-operator) while the Paris to Belgium (Brussels, Antwerpen) / Netherlands (Rotterdam, Schiphol and Amsterdam) / Germany (Dortmund, Frankfurt, Cologne) is performed by Thalys (SNCF is a partner, co-operator of the line).

For more information or reservations on the international lines, click below:

Eurostar High Speed Train, TGV, serving the UK
Eurostar High Speed Train, TGV, serving the UK
  • Thalys

  • Thalys High Speed Train, TGV, serving Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany
    Thalys High Speed Train, TGV, serving Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany

    For all TGV information and/or reservations, click here (the SNCF now called OUI web site).

    One of different colour coded TGV, High Speed Trains in France
    One of different colour coded TGV, High Speed Trains in France

    Most TGV lines can be identified by the train’s colour; for example, the Eurostar is white/yellow, the Thalys is red, the Ouigo (low cost TGV) is blue, South-East used to be orange, now silver/blue, Atlantique is grey/blue

    Hints/Issues

    • When passing another train at high speed, especially another TGV, don’t be shocked but the noise and air impact is quite surprising. You’ll hear a loud noise and then it’s almost like a vacuum was created for a second or two.
    • The same applies when traveling at high speed through tunnels; the sudden change in air pressure is very noticeable.
    • Travelling in France on the TGV means putting your travel plans in the hands of the French railroads, the SNCF. Although technically very sound and safe, the company has been plagued for decades by strikes and staff issues. So don’t be surprised if your itinerary doesn’t keep with the planning – delays, cancellations, etc. Keep this in mind when planning. But it’s still a very efficient and comfortable way of travelling.
    • You need a reservation to travel on the TGV. You can NOT just show up and try to get on, and seats are reserved. If in an urgent situation, go and talk to the train manager.
    • The SNCF is changing its name, probably due to the negative connotation, to simply “Oui” (Yes in French).
    • Smartphone applications from the SNCF (now called Oui) exist that allow you to reserve e-tickets (electronic tickets, including e-wallets), check real-time travel updates and station information.

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