How does TGV work?

TGV trainsets are essentially symmetric and reversible, with a locomotive, also called power unit or power car, coupled at each end. the trailing power unit collects power from the overhead electric catenary, and feeds power to the leading power unit through a cable running along the roof of the train.



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High-speed TGVs (Trains à Grande Vitesse) connect you to over 200 of your favourite destinations in France . Intercity travel is fast and easy, as trains achieve speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour. Frequent departures give you the ultimate flexibility of travel of your terms.

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For your journey with TGV, INTERCITÉS and TER To have plenty of time to find your car, your seat, to store your suitcases etc... we advise you to arrive 20 minutes before departure. Access to the train is guaranteed up to 2 minutes before departure, so avoid arriving at the very last minute!

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For travel on TGV INOUI or TGV France-Italy trains There is no weight limit for your luggage, but you must be able to carry your bags and suitcases by yourself*. On TGV INOUI trains: Your cabin luggage or other compact bags should be stowed under your seat, at your feet, or in the overhead compartment above your seat.

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TGV and Eurostar tickets are only valid on the booked train, date and class. If you are about to miss your train or have missed it for another reason than train traffic disruption, you can excchange or cancel the ticket according to the fare conditions and/or purchase a new ticket.

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Trenitalia's Paris to Milan route was first introduced in December 2021, serviced by Hitachi Rail's ETR1000. This super high speed train travels at 300km/h - with the ability to go400km/h if not limited by track regulations - making it the fastest train in Europe.

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Most long distance trains have a restaurant café where you can buy snacks or a meal for your journey but if you do not feel for train food you can of course bring your own, even a bottle of wine if you want to really be in keeping with the French, as there are of course no rules against drinking wine and eating cheese ...

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Prepare your ticket in advance by printing it out or downloading it onto your mobile application (Appli SNCF or TGV INOUI PRO2) and keep it close at hand. Only ticketed passengers are admitted to the boarding area. Only one accompanying adult is authorized to access the platform for certain passengers3.

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Reservations on the TGV high-speed trains are compulsory. We recommend you make your reservations as far in advance as possible. Please note that international TGV trains offer a limited number of seats for Interrail Pass holders.

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You can select seats from a seat map when booking a 1st class ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com.

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TGV is SNCF's high-speed rail service. Carrying passengers across France on trains exceeding 300kmh, TGV train has become one of the most popular modes of transport for travelling around the country.

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The speed of both trains is comparable; the TGV holding the world speed record by rail at 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph) even if its cruising speed is set at 300 km/h (186 mph) like the Shinkansen.

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