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Christmas Travel: Should You Book SNCF Train Tickets This Wednesday to Save Money?

September 30, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

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.

China Train Travel: Tickets, Sleeper Berths, Meals, and Tips

September 7, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Traveling on the Chinese green trains requires a bit of foresight: online booking, a passport is essential, seats are often spartan and the comfort is rudimentary. But with a few smart moves and the right accessories, the experience remains simple and transportive. Here is the essential to know before boarding.

Old Trains but Dematerialized Tickets

Travel Agencies: Is Train Travel Easier to Sell Than Plane Tickets?

August 31, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Si les ventes de billets de train progressent en agences, il reste encore de nombreux freins à son développement - Depositphotos.com, frimufilms

Costa Rica

Rail travel is gaining ground, especially for trips within France.

At Déclic Evasion, rail stays rose by 16% between 2024 and 2025. « This evolution is explained by the increase in stays in France since the health crisis, the reduction of certain domestic air links and the development of alternatives such as Ouigo », explains Olivier Bernard.

The arrival of Trenitalia on Paris-Marseille has also helped to energize certain routes.

At Versailles Voyages, Myriam Tord also notes a progression, even though the train started from a long way off. « We progressed because we were almost starting from zero. The train wasn’t really something that was offered before. »

For her, the turning point comes from personal experience: after completing the Trans-Canada journey between Toronto and Vancouver, she discovered the train as a genuine travel experience.

At Quartier Libre, the assessment is more mixed. The tour operator has been offering since 2025 a train option to Scotland, but it accounts for about 10% of sales on that destination. « It’s a nice calling card, but it remains limited in volume », says Stéphane Dossetto.

What are the arguments for selling train travel?

The primary argument is the experience. For Myriam Tord, train travel should not be presented solely as an alternative to air travel: « It is a different way to travel. »

The train lets passengers take their time, enjoy the scenery and discover a destination in a different way. It is particularly well suited to Canada, Scotland, Switzerland, or Italy.

Professionals also highlight the comfort: arriving in the city center, no baggage constraints, and less waiting before departure — the train offers a different kind of simplicity.

For Olivier Bernard, the train is also appealing for leisure groups. The conditions offered by SNCF on Inoui trains provide greater flexibility for CSE clients, especially regarding registrations and cancellations.

The ecological argument remains present, but it is not always enough. Stéphane Dossetto believes that practicality should also be addressed: « We talk a lot about carbon footprint, but we forget about comfort. »

What are the barriers?

The first obstacle remains the rail offering. Olivier Bernard specifically points to the weakness of province-to-province links. “From Marseille, the availability of direct TGV services remains insufficient.”

For international destinations, connections also complicate sales. Stéphane Dossetto cites the example of Scotland: from Paris, the journey is possible, but from some regions in France, the accumulation of changes makes flying more attractive.

Price also remains a topic. On certain destinations, particularly in the face of low-cost carriers, air travel preserves an advantage.

Customer habits are another brake. Many still appreciate the comfort of a coach trip where they have nothing to manage. « Customers love the cocoon of the coach: they drop their luggage and don’t have to deal with anything », explains Stéphane Dossetto.

Finally, the management of disruptions worries agencies. « If a train is canceled, you have to find another solution: another train, a hotel, a new arrangement. After-sales service is more complicated », remarks Myriam Tord.

What about the tools?

Professionals deem rail tools still inadequately adapted.

For Myriam Tord, the problem also relates to knowledge: « For air travel, we go to Amadeus and it’s quite simple. For trains, you have to know the providers. »

Solutions exist, such as Rail Europe or Resaneo, but they remain little known to agents.

In the group market, expectations are even higher. Olivier Bernard particularly regrets the late opening of sales and the absence of a functional Ouigo group tool.

He also believes it is necessary to improve features: management of traveler typologies, changes in headcount, or seat selection.

Beyond digital tools, human support remains essential. For Déclic Evasion, having a dedicated BtoB contact at Inoui is a real asset during group sales and in case of unforeseen events.

How can train sales be improved?

For the professionals surveyed, the priority is to better promote the product.

« It has to be tested », says Myriam Tord. According to her, an agent who has traveled by train will be more capable of conveying the experience to the client.

Training is therefore an important lever, as is a shift in the way rail travel is sold. The train should not be presented solely as an ecological solution, but as a new travel experience.

It is also necessary to facilitate marketing: better visibility of availability, tools more suited to agencies, and a clearer offer.

Finally, remuneration remains an issue. Olivier Bernard recalls that rail travel retains a commission-based system, unlike air travel, but he believes current levels are insufficient.

The train is thus making progress in agency catalogs, but it has not yet become a sales reflex. To gain ground against aviation, it will need to continue improving its tools and, above all, its ability to appeal beyond the environmental argument.

Air France-KLM and Transavia Offer Free Changes on Summer Tickets

July 4, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Air France-KLM, Transavia dégainent des billets modifiables sans frais pour l'été - Depositphotos.com

CroisiEurope

As the summer season approaches, the Air France-KLM group affirms that its airlines Air France, KLM, and Transavia will be able to transport all of their customers this summer.

Already at the Travel Companies Congress in Disneyland Paris at the start of May, Henri Hourcade, Senior Vice President France of Air France-KLM, stated: “Our summer program will be kept. No flight will be canceled for reasons related to the price of kerosene”.

In a press release published on Tuesday, June 3, 2026, the group indicates it is actively preparing for the peak summer period and wishes to assist travelers who have not yet booked their holidays.

Benjamin Smith, Chief Executive Officer – Air France -KLM, declared: “During this period, our airlines will operate nearly 2,200 flights per day to more than 320 destinations around the world. Our teams are fully mobilized to welcome our customers, who have already travelled massively in May on the occasion of the various long weekends in France and the Netherlands“

This statement comes as “questions about fuel availability have filled the media space”, notes the group. Air France-KLM nonetheless asserts that its airlines have the means to ensure their flight program and transport their passengers during the peak season.

The group also specifies that whatever the purchase date, Air France, KLM and Transavia commit to not seeking any fare adjustments in the event of rising fuel costs for bookings already confirmed and paid.

Air France – KLM, Transavia: Tickets Modifiable at No Charge for the Summer

Afin d’encourager les réservations et d’offrir davantage de souplesse aux voyageurs, Air France, KLM et Transavia lanceront à compter du 3 juin 2026 une campagne promotionnelle sur les voyages au départ de la France.

Dans ce cadre, les clients pourront bénéficier de billets modifiables sans frais, une mesure présentée par le groupe comme un moyen d’apporter davantage de flexibilité dans l’organisation de leurs déplacements estivaux.

Air France-KLM précise ainsi vouloir rassurer les voyageurs et les accompagner dans la préparation de leurs vacances alors que débute la période de forte activité du transport aérien.