After a record summer, the SNCF hopes to continue its momentum this winter. The sale of tickets for the fifteen days of Christmas holidays opens this Wednesday, October 5: 9 million TGV, Ouigo and Intercités tickets will be available, from 6 am, for the period from Sunday December 11 to January 2. That’s a million more than at Christmas 2021.
On this occasion, the high-speed and long-distance transport offer is enriched with, among other things, a reinforcement of the Intercités Nantes-Lyon line, where the frequency has been increased, as well as 12 new destinations for Ouigo, including Brest ( Finistère), Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales) and La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime). It will also be possible to reserve until the beginning of July for the Ouigo.
Prices will increase as trains fill up
To hope to obtain the most advantageous rates, it is advisable to get up early and prepare to jump on the application or the SNCF Connect site at the moment when the tickets are available. As the trains fill up, the prices of the last seats will logically increase, especially as the fateful date approaches. Those who can are invited to choose staggered departure and return dates, rather during the week, to avoid the weekend peaks, in particular.
The Carte Avantage, at 49 euros per year, can be a solution to protect yourself from high prices and leave at a lower cost. The 4.1 million holders benefit from a 30% reduction on TGV and Intercités for themselves and a second adult, 60% for children (up to three) and prices capped according to distance at 39 euros, 59 euros and 79 euros.
As a reminder, in the event of a last-minute program change, tickets are refundable and exchangeable free of charge up to four days before departure and with a fee of 15 euros two days or less before departure for TGVs. Costs amounting to 40% of the ticket price for the Intercités.