France

In France, almost the entire rail network can be used with FIP, as most trains are operated by the state railway company SNCF. However, reservations are always required for long-distance trains, and FIP discounts cannot be used at all on SNCF’s low-cost OUIGO services.

On international routes, Eurostar trains to the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany can be used with special FIP Global Fares. International TGV trains also offer Global Fares (except to Germany). Additionally, FIP Global Gare tickets can be used on AVE trains operated by Spanish Renfe to Spain. Frecciarossa trains from Trenitalia to Italy cannot be used with FIP in France.

Identify Train Operators and Search Connections

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SNCF Connect

You can use the journey planner to search for trips and trains. For each train in a connection, the Route details specify which operator runs the train.

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DB Website

You can search for trains using the journey planner. In the More Information section for each train, the operator is specified. For cross-border connections, multiple operators are often involved.

(The operator information is correct in almost all cases. Outside Germany, operator details may be incorrect if train numbers are used more than once.)

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France has a well-developed rail network, especially known for its fast and frequent TGV connections between Paris and other major cities. The network is strongly centered on Paris, so many connections pass through the capital. When changing trains in Paris, allow enough time, as you often need to change stations via the Metro (FIP is not valid here). Also, on long-distance trains, doors usually close two minutes before departure for punctuality.

SNCF also has luggage restrictions, and all luggage must have a tag. These are available for free at major stations or can be downloaded and printed online.

Regional services usually do not run at regular intervals and often have an irregular schedule. Some routes have only a few trains per day, while others have several trains per hour.

A special highlight is the regional train connections along the Côte d’Azur in southern France, offering beautiful views of the sea.

United Kingdom

Cross-border connections from the UK are operated by Eurostar, running from London through the Channel Tunnel to Lille and Paris. FIP Global Fares are available for these routes.

From Folkestone, there is also the LeShuttle Motorail train through the Eurotunnel, but no FIP discount is granted for this service. In addition, there are various ferry connections between France and the United Kingdom, but no FIP discount is granted for these either.

Belgium

From Belgium, SNCF operates international TGV trains from Brussels to Lyon, Marseille, Rennes, Nantes, and Strasbourg. Expensive FIP Global Fare tickets are required for these trains. There is also an OUIGO service from Brussels to Paris, but FIP is not valid on this train.

Alternatively, Eurostar trains run from Brussels to Paris, which can also be used with FIP Global Fare tickets. These are usually cheaper than the TGV trains.

There are also various TER regional train connections from Belgium to France that can be used with FIP. For example, between Namur and Lille as well as between Antwerp and Lille. Standard FIP 50 Tickets are valid, as well as a combination of an SNCB FIP Coupon and an SNCF FIP Coupon.

Luxembourg

From Luxembourg, SNCF operates international TGV trains to Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon, Montpellier, and Marseille. Expensive FIP Global Fare tickets are required for these trains. There are also various regional train connections from Luxembourg to France via Rodange or Bettembourg, which can be used with FIP. In this regard, FIP 50 tickets and CFL Coupons are valid on the Luxembourgish section, while SNCF FIP tickets are valid on the French side up to the border point.

Even though travel in 2nd class in Luxembourg is free, a ticket or FIP Coupon is required from the border point for cross-border journeys. This means that either a through ticket or at least a valid SNCF FIP Coupon must be available. In 1st class, this is also required in the Luxembourg section.

Travel on the spur lines from Luxembourg to Volmerange-les-Mines and Audun-le-Tiche is fully covered by CFL. No additional ticket is required here (except for 1st class).

Germany

Between Germany and France, SNCF and Deutsche Bahn operate joint long-distance trains as TGV or ICE services from Paris to Munich and Strasbourg or Karlsruhe/Saarbrücken, Mannheim, and Frankfurt. In July and August, there are also direct trains between Frankfurt (Main) and Bordeaux on Saturdays. Reservations are only required within France. In Germany, the trains can be used without reservation. Since the reservation requirement starts at the border point Kehl (Gr), reservations are also mandatory for journeys between Germany and Strasbourg. These cross-border FIP tickets can also be purchased online by Deutsche Bahn employees; see Booking options – Online.

There are also various regional train connections operated by DB and SNCF from Germany to France that can be used with FIP. Standard FIP 50 Tickets and FIP Coupons from DB are valid in Germany, and from the border point, FIP Coupons from SNCF are valid. FIP 50 Tickets for these connections can be purchased online; see Booking options – Online.

Switzerland

From Switzerland, cross-border TGV trains run from Zurich via Basel to France. In Switzerland, these can be used without reservation with FIP 50 Tickets or SBB FIP Coupon. For cross-border connections, a FIP Global Fare must be purchased, see TGV Lyria trains to Switzerland.

There are also various cross-border regional train connections. In Basel, the station Basel SBB is the border station from which SNCF FIP Coupons are valid for trains such as TER towards Strasbourg.

In the Geneva area, cross-border regional trains operate under the name Léman Express, operated by SBB and SNCF.

TER trains from Lyon to Geneva can be used up to Geneva with an SNCF FIP Coupon.²

Italy

Frecciarossa trains run from Milan to Paris. FIP discounts are not valid for these trains in France.

Additionally, TGV trains operated by SNCF run between Turin and Paris. These can be used with FIP discounts in France, but FIP Global Fare tickets must be purchased, see TGV trains to Italy, Spain, and Belgium.

SNCF cross-border regional trains can be used from Grasse/Cannes/Nice via Monaco to Ventimiglia. FIP 50 Tickets and SNCF FIP Coupons are valid up to Ventimiglia.

Monaco

There are no border points between the two countries for fare purposes, as Monaco is part of the French rail network. The railway line through Monaco runs west of Cap-d’Ail and east of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. FIP 50 Tickets and SNCF FIP Coupons are valid on this route.

Spain

Direct TGV trains operated by the French SNCF run from Barcelona to Paris. Renfe also operates cross-border services between Barcelona and Lyon as well as Madrid and Marseille.

FIP Global Fares are available with both operators, but with SNCF they can be very expensive (see TGV trains to Italy, Spain, and Belgium). For Renfe-operated AVE trains, FIP Global Fare tickets are available for €25 / €28 (as of May 2026), see Renfe – AVE. These tickets can be purchased at Renfe Ticket Offices in Spain. ³

With Euskotren, you can travel with the special FIP Ticket as far as Hendaye on the Atlantic coast.

There are also regional Rodalies de Catalunya trains operated by Renfe with cross-border connections to Cerbère and Latour-de-Carol. FIP Tickets can be purchased directly on the train from the train staff or at Renfe ticket counters in Spain.

Overall, there are very few cross-border connections, which were much better developed a few years ago.

Andorra

There is currently no rail connection between Andorra and France.