Bordeaux to Paris train schedule

Hi Karen,
You can (and should) buy any TGV (OUIGO or InOui) on the official SNCF app. It is too early for April. I'm not exactly sure when these tickets will be available but you can sign up for alerts through the app and this is the best way to know when availibility is open (or will be opening.) There is a difference between the two TGVs. OUIGO is a bit like RyanAir and InOui is more like Air France. OUIGO is typically non-changeable and non-refundable and InOui offers the ability to change trains and you can pay for a refundable ticket it you want that options. Timing is often more important to me than frills so I usually go with whichever train is leaving Bordeaux in my preferred timeframe so I've used both the TGV OUIGO and TGV InOui.

The baggage has become a big thing on trains and they have been cracking down the past year (especially on the OUIGO trains.) The under seat storage is similar to an airplane's, with the above seat typically only big enough for a smaller backpack, purse, coat. Sometimes I keep my backpack on my lap if I have a few items. However, If I have bigger luggage (which is not often) and I'm taking a OUIGO train, I usually pay the extra money for the luggage rack.

I would wait to buy the tickets as the train schedule is not yet released. You will have lots of options for Bordeaux (St. Jean) to Paris (Montparnasse).

Enjoy your trip!

OUIGO is an attempt by SNCF to make train travel as unpleasant is air travel. The manager who came up with that should be kicked out and forbidden to ever come near a railway again.

Just by a normal train on www.sncf-connect.com. There are lots of trains, they are just not open for booking yet. Notice the banner at the top where you are informed of that fact? You can sign up to get an alert when the trains open for booking. April is a loooooooooong time away.

Thank you Kimberly. I did sign up to be notified when released. Do they release schedules for a month at a time?

The schedule release of train schedules can be a bit all over the place. Usually it's about 2-3 months out. But often the holiday trains are released more than 4 months out. And I find the Spring trains are maybe a month out. I have an alert for April as well but I also keep checking just in case...

And, it just occurred to me that you may want to check out the French school holiday calendar as that definitely affects train ticket availability (trains are usually full) and price. Bordeaux Vacances de Printemps is 19 April - 5 May. And Paris Vacances de Printemps is 12 April - 28 April.

OUIGO is an attempt by SNCF to make train travel as unpleasant is air travel

Nah, you're exaggerating, OUIGO is making semi high speed rail accessible to working class folks and families that normally take the bus long distances but can't afford the TGV. I've taken it before with family from Paris to Bordeaux, Bordeaux to CDG, Paris Montparnasse to Toulouse and don't remember anyone whining; I can't say the same about air travel.

Ive been checking train schedules, and yesterday got a pop up stating spring routes will be available to book on Jan 22. doesn’t say what time, so have a couple calendar reminders for the 21st.

Nah, you're exaggerating, OUIGO is making semi high speed rail
accessible to working class folks and families that normally take the
bus long distances but can't afford the TGV

They could just make the TGV cheaper. Or sell some cheap tickets on each TGV. They could for example try to operate as a proper railway...

In case it helps someone, found this on the time tickets are released.

“SNCF train tickets are usually released around 6 AM French time. However, the exact time is unpredictable because of the time it takes to load tickets onto the reservation system.”

I opened app to book train tickets at 6am Paris time and was surprised to see all non OUIGO trains at least €104 per person. So I booked OUIGO for €39 pp, €10 more than when I first posted my question.