French Train Delay Compensation — SNCF, TGV, Ouigo (2026)

France has one of Europe's busiest rail networks. SNCF transports 1.2 billion passengers annually across TGV high-speed, Intercités long-distance, TER regional, and Ouigo low-cost services. All are covered by EU Regulation 2021/782 — meaning a 60-minute delay entitles you to 25% of your ticket price, and 120 minutes gets you 50%.

Two routes to compensation in France

Uniquely, French passengers have access to two overlapping compensation schemes:

1. EU Regulation 2021/782 (legal minimum)

• 60–119 min delay: 25% of your ticket price
• 120+ min delay: 50% of your ticket price
• Applies to all SNCF services
• Claim deadline: 90 days

2. SNCF Garantie Voyage (voluntary, TGV Inoui only)

• 30–59 min delay: 25% compensation
• 60–119 min delay: 50% compensation
• 120+ min delay: 75% compensation
• Applies to TGV Inoui services only (not Ouigo, not TER)
• Automatically applied to eligible bookings in some cases

The Garantie Voyage is more generous than EU law for TGV Inoui passengers — particularly for delays between 30–59 minutes (which EU law does not cover) and 120+ minutes (75% vs 50%). Always check both schemes when claiming.

SNCF punctuality — 2024

| Service | On-time 2024 | Worst routes |

|---|---|---|

| TGV Inoui | ~83% | Paris–Lyon (strike periods), Paris–Bordeaux |

| Ouigo | ~77% | Paris–Lyon, Paris–Nantes |

| TER regional | ~88% | varies by region |

| Intercités | ~81% | Paris–Toulouse, Paris–Clermont |

SNCF overall on-time: 77.2% | Annual payout: EUR 89M | Source: SNCF Annual Report 2024

Paris infrastructure congestion — particularly around Paris Gare de Lyon and Gare du Nord — is the primary cause of delays across all service types.

TGV Inoui — France's flagship high-speed service

TGV Inoui operates France's original high-speed routes: Paris–Lyon, Paris–Bordeaux, Paris–Marseille, Paris–Nantes, and international connections to Switzerland, Spain, and Italy. Tickets typically range from €30 to €200+.

Garantie Voyage applies: If your TGV Inoui arrives 30+ minutes late, SNCF's voluntary guarantee kicks in before EU law does. For a 90-minute delay on a €80 ticket, Garantie Voyage pays 50% = €40 (vs EU law's 25% = €20).

Claiming Garantie Voyage: SNCF may automatically detect your delay and issue a voucher if you booked through SNCF Connect. Check your SNCF Connect account or booking email after a delay. If not automatic, claim manually.

Ouigo — low-cost trains, full EU rights

Ouigo is SNCF's low-cost brand. Tickets start from €9 and cover Paris–Lyon, Paris–Nantes, Paris–Marseille, and other major corridors. Ouigo is operated by SNCF but Garantie Voyage does not apply — only EU Regulation 2021/782 applies.

However, because Ouigo tickets are cheap, the compensation amounts are proportionally smaller. On a €9 Ouigo ticket delayed 120+ minutes, you are owed €4.50 (the EUR 4 minimum applies as a floor).

Ouigo has a separate claim portal: ouigo.com. Do not use sncf-connect.com for Ouigo claims.

TER regional trains

TER (Transport Express Régional) services are operated by SNCF on behalf of France's regions. They are covered by EU 2021/782. With an ~88% on-time rate, TER delays are less common than TGV or Intercités — but significant delays do occur, particularly in regions with older rolling stock.

Claim TER delays through sncf-connect.com/aide/reclamation. Your TER ticket or regional pass is sufficient proof.

Intercités

Intercités (formerly Corail) runs medium-distance routes not served by TGV — Paris–Toulouse, Paris–Clermont-Ferrand, and overnight trains. EU 2021/782 applies. For overnight Intercités (Intercités de Nuit), compensation includes the full ticket price including couchette supplements.

How to claim SNCF compensation in English

Step 1: Go to sncf-connect.com and select English from the language menu (top right).

Step 2: Sign in to your account, or navigate to Customer Service → Passenger Rights.

Step 3: Select your journey and the delay duration. SNCF Connect may already show your booking history.

Step 4: Choose your compensation basis — Garantie Voyage (for TGV Inoui) or EU 2021/782 (all services). Claim Garantie Voyage first if eligible; it may pay more.

Step 5: Confirm your ticket price and submit. Note your reference number.

Step 6: SNCF must respond within 30 days. Payment is by bank transfer or SNCF credit.

If you book through Trainline or Omio for SNCF trains, your claim still goes directly to SNCF, not the booking platform. Your booking reference is sufficient.

What SNCF blames — and what you can still claim for

SNCF occasionally cites extraordinary circumstances to reject claims, particularly during strike periods. Under EU 2021/782, however:

• Strikes: are NOT force majeure — you can claim for strike delays
• Extreme weather: has a very narrow exemption and is rarely applicable
• Infrastructure failures: (track works, signal failures) are not force majeure

If SNCF rejects your claim without valid grounds, escalate to the DGCCRF (Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes) — France's consumer protection authority — or use TrainOwed.

SNCF claim payout methods

• Bank transfer (IBAN): — fastest and most flexible
• SNCF credit: — added to your SNCF Connect account, usable for future bookings
• Cheque: — available but slow

Always choose bank transfer unless you travel SNCF regularly and will use the credit within 12 months.