On 30 September 2026, head to the SNCF Connect website or app for the opening of Christmas ticket sales. You’ll be able to book your upcoming journeys from 13 December 2026 up to 2 July 2027, depending on the destination and train operator.
Book a train ticket
Book a train ticket
The opening of the Christmas sales in practical terms
What happens when the sales open?
On 30 September, you will be able to book your journeys for the festive season on SNCF Connect and plan your upcoming train travel in France and Europe. Make sure you're ready on the day, as tickets sell out fast!
What are the advantages of booking when sales open?
- You get to book the first tickets on sale at the best price.
- There's plenty of room, the trains aren't full yet, and you're more likely to be seated together when you're in a group.
- You can choose from all existing schedules.
- You can book your trip in advance.
Which journeys are available for booking?
Starting 1 October 2025, you’ll be able to book your tickets:
For France:
- TGV INOUI in France and INTERCITÉS: for journeys from 13 December 2026 to 6 January 2027.
- TER: for journeys over the next 3, 4 or 5 months, depending on the region (check the detailed booking windows).
- OUIGO: for journeys from 13 December 2026 to 2 July 2027.
For Europe:
- TGV INOUI to Italy, TGV INOUI to Spain and TGV Lyria: for journeys from 13 December 2026 to 31 March 2027.
- TGV INOUI to Brussels, TGV INOUI to Luxembourg and TGV INOUI to Freiburg: for journeys from 13 December 2026 to 6 January 2027.
- DB-SNCF in cooperation: tickets will gradually become available for journeys over the next 6 months.
Dates you need to know
The Christmas holidays start on Saturday 19 December 2026 and end on 4 January 2027, for all school zones.
Public holidays:
Christmas Day: Friday 25 December
New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
Our favourite dates
- Festival of Lights in Lyon: from 5 to 8 December 2026;
- Saint Nicholas celebrations in Nancy: from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027;
- Rencontres Trans Musicales in Rennes: from 2 to 6 December 2026.
- For Strasbourg Christmas markets and the Habits de Lumière in Épernay, check the official programmes before you travel.
Top 5 good reasons to take the train at Christmas
For the magic of Christmas
Lyon's Festival of Lights
How can you miss Lyon’s Festival of Lights? From Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 December, the city will be spotlighting its monuments and landmarks. Don't miss the illuminations at Place Bellecour, Parc de la Tête d'Or or Place Louis Pradel. You're in for a real treat!
For the Christmas markets
Strasbourg's Christmas markets
Strasbourg is renowned as the Capital of Christmas, with its markets offering a wide range of atmospheres.
From 26 November to 24 December 2025, festivities are taking place all over the city. Place Broglie is home to Strasbourg's historic Christmas market, with its stalls selling decorations and crafts. You're bound to fall for the local gingerbread, chocolate fruit skewers and mulled wine.
At Place des Meuniers, Alsatian producers will offer you local produce: foie gras from Alsace, snails from Kochersberg, jams from Climont, etc.
To celebrate the New Year
In the mountains
Les 2 Alpes, easily accessible by shuttle bus from Grenoble station, is the ideal winter sports resort for the festive season: a magical programme and a fairytale setting. Whatever you fancy, you can ski, sledge, ice-skate, mountain-bike on snow, dog-sleigh and go for walks in the snow.
The trendy resort of Avoriaz, accessible via TGV INOUI from Thonon-les-Bains or Cluses + shuttle, offers music festivals and a festive New Year! Enjoy concerts before watching the fireworks at midnight.
To prepare for New Year's Eve
Seafood platter
If you're looking for a seafood platter for New Year's Eve, Brittany's the place to be! Go to Cancale for the best oysters, Plouhinec for langoustines and Saint-Quay-Portrieux near Saint-Brieuc for prawns!
>> Book your train tickets to Saint-Brieuc
*Excessive consumption of alcohol is harmful to your health. Please drink responsibly.
To travel in Europe
Germany
In Germany, the Christmas markets keep historic traditions going. It’s a good opportunity to visit during the Christmas holidays.
The Frankfurt market is one of the oldest and biggest Christmas markets in Germany. You can sample local produce and typical dishes here.
The Karlsruhe Christmas Market brings the spirit of Christmas to the whole city, with an ice rink, an area reserved for roller skating and five curling rinks where you can have fun sweeping the ice to make the granite stone slide!
