SNCF (France)

SCNF trains: always going your way in France

Yes, Paris is magnifique, but savvy travelers know there is much more to France than its renowned capital city. SCNF (or SNCF, Societe nationale des chemins de fer), France’s official railway operator, offers a variety of train travel to cater to your every need. Perhaps the best known SCNF train is the 200+ mph high-speed TGV. This “train a grande vitesse” links Paris to most major cities in France with continuing service to Luxembourg, Switzerland and Germany.

If you want to ride the distance in style, take the Corail. Noted for its superior comfort level, it too provides longer-distance travel within France as well as to bordering countries. Thinking of enjoying France and Italy in just one day? Then ride the Riviera Day train. Soak up some morning sun in Nice, and, in just over an hour, “mangiare” at a trattoria in San Remo. And, if much-to-do means optimizing your rail ride, sleep the night away on a comfy couchette aboard the French Night trains. They operate between Paris and Nice, Ventimiglia, Tarbes, or Hendaye. Ever wondered what the daily grind’s like in Paris? Then hop aboard a local TER train (Transport Express Regional) and parlez-vous with morning commuters.