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France train travel: Ouigo vs. TGVs

Posted by (California) on

I'll be traveling by train from Paris to Colmar. When I looked on SNCF and Trainline, there is a ticket on a Ouigo train leaving Paris Gare de l’Est at 11:10 with 1 chg in Strasbourg arriving in Colmar at 13:51. The basic non-refundable price is $109 for 2 tickets plus $11 more for comfort level so you get a power socket and not stuck in a middle seat downstairs. When I tried to book this ticket on Trainline, my credit card was denied. I have previously purchased other tickets on Trainline with the same credit card.

I went to the Man in Seat 61 site and read what he had to say about Ouigo. Seems like he has mixed opinions about Ouigo. https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/ouigo.htm#opinion

My other option is to purchase a ticket on a TGV train leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 11:23 with 1 chg in Mulhouse and arriving in Colmar at 15:05. The ticket price is $131.35 for 2 people. As you can see, this train is 1 hr longer.

Any suggestions?

Posted by
7837 posts

I've taken both services and the TGV's have wifi Ouigo did not, TGV's have dining cars and someone walking through selling coffee and alcohol beverages and junk food Ouigo does not.
I do not think you have to worry about a middle seat since you can select it in advance

When I took Ouigo the price was a lot cheaper than what you are seeing so it was a good deal.
I generally can survive not having a power socket for 2 hours and 41 minutes, my bag meets the requirements for carry on on Ouigo so I don't pay extra, and I bring my own food and liquor

Posted by
6893 posts

Ouigo is OK if it's cheaper and fits your plans, but it's notoriously fickle with foreign credit cards (using Trainline makes no difference for Ouigo). Canadian ones do not work at all, for instance. So make a few tries with all your cards, and if it fails, book a regular TGV. But can't you find another connection? That 11.23 one really isn't great... On weekdays I'm seeing a 10.55 and a 12.55 that are far better, less than 2.5 hours. Of course they might be more expensive on your date.

Posted by
2299 posts

hey hey christine
have you tried loco2.com?
i bought both my train tickets, paris to geneva and annecy to paris with trainline and had no issues. i'm not that computer savvy like others here, maybe close browser and start again. hope something works out for you and no stress. have a great trip and lots of fun.
aloha

Posted by
739 posts

TGV has someone walking through selling beverages? On what train? I have been on them a few times in various classes and various distances and never encountered that...

Posted by
7837 posts

ok maybe or maybe not I get the trains different countries confused I've taken TGV since 2008 I know there is some dining car on TGV

Posted by
745 posts

Thank you everyone for the responses.
@balso Yes, I will probably do what you suggest and try a few other credit cards on Ouigo and if that doesn't work I'll buy a TGV ticket. The TGV leaving at 10:55 and arriving in Colmar 13:21 is ideal, but unfortunately that ticket is $188 for 2 people.

Posted by
9567 posts

I would pay the money and take the more comfortable and faster train. The prices aren’t going to get cheaper, they just go up the closer that you get to the date of travel.

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