Travelling around France by Train

[Gerry]

Being unable to drive I have to travel around by public transport.

Does anyone know where I can get relaible information about where the trains go? I need a map or similar to plan my journeys.

 

[Sunday Driver]

You'll find information about train services on the [url=http://www.sncf.fr/]SNCF website[/url]

 

[Will]

It's very difficult to get comprehensive, reliable information. A map will tell you where there are train services, but chances are only suburban areas and TGV or other important lines will have anything like the frequency of service you may be used to in Britain. Even when you find a timetable it can be impossible to follow. It might look like a lot of trains run, but when you unravel all the 'Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays only', 'Not on saints' days after 23 July' type exclusions you will be left with about three trains per day.

Some say the German Railways web site is the best for information on services in France. I can believe it, but have never used it myself.

[andyh4]

I can confirm that the DeutscheBahn site is much superior to the SNCF one IMHO

 

http://www.bahn.de/international/view/en/index.shtml

 

in English.

 

Just inut your planned departure and destination points plus date and time of travel and it will give you the options - left hand side of the rather busy page.  (It even works when I am planning a trip back in as well as to the UK)

 

[Cat]

Perhaps the OP needs to know which towns have rail access and stations, rather than timetable information, in which case a map is of the French rail system is the best starting point.  You could try this http://bonjourlafrance.net/france-map/france-train-maps.htm

Or for a much more detailed view http://bonjourlafrance.net/france-map/sncf-map-large.htm