Book your TGV France-Italy train ticketsTGV France-Italy

For most high-speed trains (notably Eurostar, TGV INOUI, TGV Lyria and ICE), the cheapest fares are available in limited quantities. So to benefit from the best prices, we suggest you avoid peak times and book your journey as far ahead as possible.

In some circumstances, it can be more cost-effective to travel as a group, as some rail companies offer fares which are exclusively available to small groups of 3-5 passengers, like the "Pack Tribu" fare on TGV INOUI, for example.

Finally, many railway operators regularly run temporary offers on fares, offering passengers good deals on rail travel. To ensure you don't miss out on these offers, we recommend you visit our website or Facebook page regularly, or sign up for our newsletter.

The booking period differs from one type of train to another. The main international trains at a glance:

• Eurostar: booking possible on average from 210 days before travel, i.e. about 7 months in advance (minimum 157 and maximum 277 days in advance, depending on the period of the year).
• ICE and other Deutsche Bahn trains: booking usually possible 180 days (almost 6 months) before travel.
• Nightjet: booking theoretically possible from 180 days in advance. However, due to frequent works on the German rail network, adjusted timetables for Nightjet trains are often announced late, which unfortunately results in late opening of reservations.
• TGV INOUI, TGV Lyria, Nightjet and Trenitalia trains: booking usually possible 4 months before travel.
• "Conventional" international trains (InterCity or regional trains): buying tickets without booking a seat, particularly to the Netherlands, Lille or Luxembourg, is possible 335 days (11 months) before travel. Unlike the other trains mentioned, there are no restrictions on the various fares on these "conventional" trains, so these are available up to the last minute (except for the Early Bird fare, that offers 25% to 40% discount ont the Intercity Netherlands, which must be purchased at least 7 days prior to travel).

Exceptions:

• Eurostar seasonal services: for Eurostar Snow to the French Alps, booking possible from the end of the summer for the whole ski season. For Eurostar Sun to the south of France, booking possible from the end of the winter for the whole summer season (date to be specified each year).
• TGV early bird sale for travel in winter periods (Christmas and ski season) and summer periods (July and August). For these periods, the date of the early bird sale is to be specified each year.
• Every year in mid-December, different European rail companies simultaneously amend their train services, with new timetables taking effect more or less throughout Europe. On certain rail networks (particularly in Germany), the new timetables for mid-December are only confirmed and published at some point during October. When this occurs, bookings for rail travel from mid-December onwards can also only be made after a given date in October.
• In special circumstances (e.g. in case of engineering works), carriers may be forced to adapt their transport plan more frequently. For this reason, booking periods may momentarily differ from the above rules.

All luggage is under the passenger's responsibility and must be labelled with the owner's name and telephone number;

You must be able to carry your baggage yourself, and all at once (except for PRMs with assistance). After the platform access gates, only ticket holders are allowed on the platform.

On board the train, no luggage or personal belongings may obstruct the corridors or doors. Small items of luggage can be stored in the luggage racks above your seat. For larger items of luggage, there are spaces at the ends and in the middle of each carriage.

Each passenger can take up to:

• 2 items of luggage (suitcase, travel bag, sports bag, large rucksack, etc.) no larger than 70 x 90 x 50 cm, and
• 1 item of hand luggage (small rucksack, shopping bag, computer bag) no larger than 40 x 30 x 15 cm.

If you need to transport an object with special dimensions, you can take up to:

• 1 item of luggage (suitcase, travel bag, sports bag, large rucksack, etc.) no larger than 70 x 90 x 50 cm;
• 1 item of labelled special baggage, such as a pushchair, scooter (folded), musical instrument in a case, pair of skis (in a cover), waterboard or snowboard (in a cover) no larger than 90 x 130 cm;
• 1 item of hand luggage (small rucksack, shopping bag, computer bag) no larger than 40 x 30 x 15 cm.

In Paris, Gare de Lyon is the departure point for most TGV trains to the Alps, Provence, Côte d'Azur, Occitania, Switzerland, Italy and Barcelona..

To get from Paris Nord station to Gare de Lyon, you can take a taxi, hire a bike (or a scooter), but nothing is easier than the RER (the suburban train network that runs through Paris).

• When your train arrives at Paris Nord station, follow the train platform until you arrive at the underground metro and RER station (following the RER signs, line D).
• Take RER D towards Corbeil-Essonnes / Melun / Malesherbes and get off at Gare de Lyon.

The RER takes only 2 stops and 15 minutes to connect the city's two main train stations. However, you should allow at least a good half hour for your transfer, the time needed to find your way around the corridors of the underground stations.

This RER transfer is not included in your TGV tickets, but you can take the RER between the two stations with a simple metro ticket.

Tip: to save time in Paris, you can buy your metro tickets in advance in the Thalys bar carriage.