Railways & Train Travel in Pays de la Loire

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Railways & Train Travel in Pays de la Loire

• SNCF is the national train service for France. The Website allows for a route and timetable search and online booking.
• TER SNCF is the regional French rail system. You can search the timetable and book online. Information booklets with train times and destinations for a local or longer trips are available at all stations and some tourist offices. 
• TGV is the fast train network in France. Bookings must be made in advance. 

Some Tips & Points

• Booklets with train times and destinations for a local or longer trip are available at all stations and some tourist offices. TGV bookings must be made in advance
• A ticket must be validated in the orange punching-machine in the station, before boarding; otherwise face a fine
• There are various discount rates available for the young (Carte 12-25), the over 60s ( Carte Senior) and groups. 
• For more information on the Carte 12-25: Click here (in French)
• For more information on the Senior SNCF: Click here (in French)
• Discounts and special conditions are available for mobility, sight and hearing disabled people. 
• For information on accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility: Click here (in French)
• There is a service for children travelling unaccompanied. 
• For information on the Jeune Voyager Service, JVS: Click here (in French)
• Dogs and cats may be taken on the trains, but there is a fee and conditions. Price depends on the size of the pet, and once aboard, a fellow passenger may, legally, request it be moved
• To find a local station contact details, go to Pages Jaunes and type in SNCF and the region
• Gares en Mouvement is a website in several languages that provides information on major stations around France including open hours, address, and a real-time schedule of departures and arrivals and the platform numbers: Click here

Delays and strikes 

Real-time information on delays or cancellations is available at the station, online from the service, Infoligne or by telephone. When the train service is reduced due to strike action, schedules of trains running are usually posted on notice boards at stations.

• Infoligne
  Tel: 36 35

The TER-SNCF also offers a 24/7 service called TER Flash Trafic that alerts subscribers via e-mail or SMS to delays or cancellations. Subscription is free.

In the case of long-distance travel (more than 100 Km), if a main line SNCF train is delayed more than 30 minutes and the delay is caused by SNCF, compensation in the form of travel vouchers may be available.

• For more information on SNCF customer service and obtaining compensation: Click here

Useful Train Numbers

1108ww