French inOui TGV Train Gets Two New Travel Classes
SNCF, the French national railway company, is debuting two new premium travel classes on its inOui TGV trains.
inOui TGV travel classes
Travel classes on TGV inOui trains will be diversified with the introduction of two new options in addition to second and first class.
These two new travel classes, called Optimum and Optimum Plus, are essentially premium first class products.
Let’s take a look what you can expect in these new travel classes.
inOui TGVs at Paris Montparnasse. ©AndyBTravels
Optimum
Optimum will replace the Business Première offer on TGV inOui trains from 2026.
When booking Optimum, you receive the same seat as in first class, but in a dedicated section of the train that is quieter.
Optimum also provides access to the Grand Voyageur Lounge at French stations where it is available.
With an Optimum ticket, your booking is fully exchangeable and refundable at no charge, even up to 30 minutes after your train’s departure.
Even if your preferred train is fully booked, you are guaranteed to be able to exchange your ticket, although a seat is not guaranteed.
Optimum Plus
Optimum Plus gives you all the Optimum advantages mentioned above, along with a few additional perks.
On the train, you have a dedicated host for any service requests you may have, and you also receive a complimentary meal served at your seat.
Availability
Optimum and Optimum Plus will only be available from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays and the Christmas and summer holidays (six weeks in July and August, determined annually).
They will be offered only on TGV inOui trains in France and on international services to and from Luxembourg and Freiburg.
The product is not available on SNCF’s low-cost Ouigo TGV trains.
Ouigo and inOui TGV trains. ©AndyBTravels
Competition
The introduction of two new premium travel classes on TGV inOui trains appears to be SNCF’s response to the elevated first class service offered on Trenitalia’s high-speed trains, which now operate from Paris to Lyon and Marseille as an open-access competitor to SNCF.
AndyB says: “It takes a newcomer to make SNCF pull its complacent socks up!
“A focus on premium passengers is a good policy as they bring in higher revenues.
“Could SNCF start to emulate the premium Air France experience on their trains?”
Conclusion
In 2026, two new travel classes will be introduced on TGV inOui trains.
The new classes, Optimum and Optimum Plus, are essentially premium first-class products, offering extra perks such as fully flexible and refundable tickets, lounge access, and a complimentary meal served at your seat.
