When does booking open?

In waves announced by SNCF, up to six months ahead. SNCF says all its high-speed trains can be booked up to six months ahead since 11 March 2026, but each wave has its own end date. The 11 March 2026 wave covered most TGV INOUI trips from 5 July to 31 August 2026 (to 13 December from Paris to Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier, and on OUIGO). Last year the winter wave opened on 12 November 2025, and this year's follows it: SNCF Connect's help page lists 12 November 2026 for TGV INOUI trips from 7 January to 2 July 2027 and Intercités from 7 January to 31 March 2027. SNCF's group site opens group sales on 28 October 2026 for trips up to 2 July 2027.

How far ahead is that?

Usually 3 to 9 months ahead, in blocks.

SNCF Connect (website or app), SNCF stations and approved travel agents, or ouigo.com for OUIGO.

SNCF says booking at the opening gives the widest choice of fares and times and the best chance of sitting together. There is no published figure for how fast trains fill.

Can I cancel or change?

For TGV INOUI and Intercités tickets sold since 30 September 2026: free exchange and refund up to 7 days before departure; from 6 days before, a 19 EUR fee on TGV INOUI and 40% (at most 15 EUR) on Intercités with compulsory reservation; from 30 minutes before, one exchange only and no refund after it. OUIGO has its own conditions: read them when you buy.

Nationwide, France

TGV INOUI and OUIGO tickets: when SNCF sales open

In waves that SNCF announces, not day by day. Since 30 September 2026, SNCF sells TGV INOUI and Intercités trips from 13 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, and OUIGO trips to 2 July 2027. The next wave opens on 12 November 2026: TGV INOUI trips from 7 January to 2 July 2027, and Intercités from 7 January to 31 March 2027.

Travellers walking past TGV INOUI trains at a platform in Paris. Photo by Rohit Verma on Pexels

When does booking open?: In waves announced by SNCF, up to six months ahead. SNCF says all its high-speed trains can be booked up to six months ahead since 11 March 2026, but each wave has its own end date. The 11 March 2026 wave covered most TGV INOUI trips from 5 July to 31 August 2026 (to 13 December from Paris to Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier, and on OUIGO). Last year the winter wave opened on 12 November 2025, and this year's follows it: SNCF Connect's help page lists 12 November 2026 for TGV INOUI trips from 7 January to 2 July 2027 and Intercités from 7 January to 31 March 2027. SNCF's group site opens group sales on 28 October 2026 for trips up to 2 July 2027.
How far ahead is that?: Usually 3 to 9 months ahead, in blocks.
Where do I book?: SNCF Connect (website or app), SNCF stations and approved travel agents, or ouigo.com for OUIGO.
Does it sell out?: SNCF says booking at the opening gives the widest choice of fares and times and the best chance of sitting together. There is no published figure for how fast trains fill.
Can I cancel or change?: For TGV INOUI and Intercités tickets sold since 30 September 2026: free exchange and refund up to 7 days before departure; from 6 days before, a 19 EUR fee on TGV INOUI and 40% (at most 15 EUR) on Intercités with compulsory reservation; from 30 minutes before, one exchange only and no refund after it. OUIGO has its own conditions: read them when you buy.

Checked 20 October 2026

How to book

Fares change with demand, and SNCF says the first tickets on sale offer the widest choice of fares. OUIGO is the low-cost brand, from 19 EUR one way on some trains.

TGV INOUI and OUIGO open on different dates and cover different periods, so check both. Regional TER trains open 3 to 5 months ahead, depending on the region.

If it’s sold out

Try other times, another Paris station, or OUIGO instead of TGV INOUI, and check again later: tickets can be exchanged and refunded, so seats can come back.

Intercités and regional TER trains are slower fallbacks.

Booking for a group

Book the whole party in one order, as early as you can: SNCF says the opening is when you have the best chance of sitting together.

Groups of 10 or more can use SNCF's group site, which has its own sales openings: the next is 28 October 2026, for trips up to 2 July 2027.

Good to know

For trips from 7 January 2027, be on SNCF Connect on 12 November 2026; SNCF does not publish the time of day a wave opens.
If your plans may change, TGV INOUI's free exchange up to 7 days before departure is worth more than a cheaper OUIGO fare.

Sources

Groupe SNCF: TGV INOUI tickets can now be booked up to six months ahead (official): Since 11 March 2026, TGV INOUI, OUIGO high-speed and international trains can be booked six months ahead.
SNCF Connect: Christmas sales opening (official, French, archived 8 October 2026): On sale since 30 September 2026: TGV INOUI and Intercités 13 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, OUIGO to 2 July 2027; exchange and refund fees.
SNCF Connect: the Christmas sales opening (official, French, archived 11 October 2026): Booking at the opening gives the widest choice of fares and times and the best chance of sitting together; TER 3 to 5 months ahead.
SNCF Connect: the summer sales opening (official, French, archived 4 March 2026): From 11 March 2026: most TGV INOUI trips 5 July to 31 August, Paris to Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier and OUIGO to 13 December 2026.
SNCF Connect: the winter sales opening, 2025 (official, French, archived 22 November 2025): On 12 November 2025, TGV INOUI and Intercités trips from 8 January to 29 March 2026 went on sale.
SNCF group travel (official): Group fares from 10 people; next group sales opening 28 October 2026, for trips up to 2 July 2027.
SNCF Connect: sales openings (official, French): TGV INOUI trips from 7 January to 2 July 2027 and Intercités from 7 January to 31 March 2027 go on sale on 12 November 2026; OUIGO trips from 13 December 2026 to 2 July 2027 on sale since 30 September 2026.

Checked on 20 October 2026. Booking rules change; the official site has the last word.