The countdown is officially underway. On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, SNCF opens its ticketing for the Christmas and New Year period. With advertisements and reminders on its app, the French company is urging travelers to book their tickets as soon as possible to secure the best prices. But is that really the best approach?
According to a study from the reservation platform Trainline, relay by RMC, travelers could save up to 30% on a train ticket by booking as soon as the booking opens. Especially since this period is extremely busy in transport, most French people travel to spend the holidays with family. Trains fill up quickly and the prices of remaining tickets tend to rise.
Which dates are the most popular for train travel in December 2026?
According to data from another journey-booking platform, Kombo, December 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 will be the most sought-after travel dates this year. They correspond to the Friday and Saturday of the school holidays and the days surrounding Christmas, which falls on a Friday this year. Sundays December 20 and 27 and the period from December 30 to January 3 will also be highly sought after.
By booking early, you will therefore have more choice regarding the type of train you will take, the number of connections, or your seat in the carriages. In addition to avoiding price spikes as the holidays approach, you will also gain in comfort. If you wait too long, you risk ending up with pricier tickets on less comfortable trains, or even not being able to sit next to your loved ones.
Several tips to avoid paying more for your ticket than your neighbor
If you want to plan even further ahead, know that the European companies operating in France do not start selling tickets on the same date as SNCF. The Italian company Trenitalia, which offers trips toward the southeast from Paris, including to Lyon, has already released its tickets. The company Eurostar, which goes to London, Belgium, the Netherlands and some German cities as well. The German, Swiss and Spanish companies, they should open reservations in mid-October.
To pay less, don’t hesitate to compare prices across the different companies on dedicated platforms, to place options – valid for one week on InOui trains – so that the price does not change while you refine your departure plans, and to book rather quickly. If your train is sold out, you can still join a waiting list via SNCF or platforms like traincomplet.fr which, for a fee, try to find a last-minute seat on these apparently full trains.
