what's SNCF Ouigo like

WesternLancer · 1 Mar 2020

Hi all - welcome views and or pointers to images / info.

I know Ouigo is a no frills type TGV with no 1st class and no catering, but what's it like

eg: do they usually run at full TGV speed on routes, or make more stops?
Are they smart inside (or is it a home for tired interiors from old sets)?
Is the seat layout good (or is it a product that packs more seats in and thus cramped)
Are any of them double deckers?

any views on pros and cons welcome (assume obv pro is price and thus I can check that out on booking sites) but other things to consider are welcome.

Am planning a trip to Bordeaux and I think the Timetable suggests there are Ouigo trains on that route so am considering it as an option.

Thanks in advance.

RailUK Forums

rf_ioliver · 1 Mar 2020

Haven't ridden on the Ouigo services, just the normal TGVs, but the TGV Duplex sets are used. The only difference is really just the service and pricing.

They have to run at LGV speeds so you'll get the full 300/320kmh

The Man in Seat 61 has details and interior pictures: https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/ouigo.htm

AlexNL · 1 Mar 2020

The interior is new, when SNCF launched Ouigo they completely rebuilt the interiors of the trains. No hand-me-downs.

30907 · 1 Mar 2020

Not been inside, though the Man in Seat 61 has....check him out!
All double deck stock, normal TGV speeds, and refurbished with a high density layout. There are two categories of seat
Tickets not interchangeable with normal TGVs, check in on platform (30 mims before?), hand baggage only in the price.

SHD · 1 Mar 2020

Answers in no particular order:
- they are all double deckers;
- the seats are not the standard Duplex 2nd class seats, and they do not recline, but they are comfortable enough and provide good legroom;
- all snobbery aside, the interior ambience is really kitsch and feels cheap, with blue and pink moquettes and seat covers, no reading lights, nudge-like features e.g the bins are labeled “POUBELLATOR”, etc;
- the lower deck of former 1st class coaches has a strange 3+1 seating plan (An artefact caused by the gangway which is not aligned with the centreline);
- they run at full speed;
- ticket check is generally done on the platform (hence the recommendation to arrive 30’ early);
- they are slowly moving away from the original model of using out-of-town stations such as Massy TGV, Marne la Vallée TGV, etc;
- there is no fare integration with other TGVs or TERs (in regions where this is still possible)

All considered, it’s good value for money to ride Ouigo go from e.g from Paris to Nîmes for €19 as I did last week. And the view from the windows is the same!

popeter45 · 1 Mar 2020

One oddity I hear they have is that in the former first class area because the walkway is off to one side it's 3+1 seating

SHD · 1 Mar 2020

popeter45 said:
One oddity I hear they have is that in the former first class area because the walkway is off to one side it's 3+1 seating

exactly, but only at the lower deck. The middle seat of the 3-seat section is best avoided.

duesselmartin · 1 Mar 2020

Hand baggage only? Has SNCF stopped being a railway?

WesternLancer · 1 Mar 2020

Thanks all, v helpful replies. Seat61 link most helpful too.

One thing that occurs to me to ask is if a late running eurostar arrival in Paris would permit later Ouigo use via the railteam promise or not? Reading the info one might suggest not - but that of course would create a high risk problem or the need to allow a lot of extra buffer time in Paris and hope for the best.

Does anyone know?

AlexNL · 1 Mar 2020

Ouigo is completely isolated from the rest of the services, and I don't think the Railteam 'HOTNAT' promises apply either.

Bletchleyite · 1 Mar 2020

The seats are the same ones in the 2+2 Southern Electrostars and LNR's sham 1st, if that's any help?

Bletchleyite · 1 Mar 2020

duesselmartin said:
Hand baggage only? Has SNCF stopped being a railway?

Yeah, in the 1980s when they binned walk up

STEVIEBOY1 · 2 Mar 2020

What is the difference between Ouigo and Izy?

yorksrob · 2 Mar 2020

Bletchleyite said:
The seats are the same ones in the 2+2 Southern Electrostars and LNR's sham 1st, if that's any help?

Are those the ironing board Electrostar seats or the good ones ?

Alfonso · 2 Mar 2020

STEVIEBOY1 said:
What is the difference between Ouigo and Izy?

Ouigo: SNCF owned low cost no frills TGV service with weird seating as described in other posts
Izzy: SNCF owned lower cost and slower service from Paris to Brussels using a leased Eurostar train
Both: SNCF initiatives designed to stop real competition

Bletchleyite · 2 Mar 2020

yorksrob said:
Are those the ironing board Electrostar seats or the good ones ?

They're the same thing, aren't they

No, it's the older Fainsa type:

Electrostar older type seats

There-are-only-a-very-few-of-these-popular-table-seats-available.-Image-John-Walton.jpg

Ouigo interior

Not my photos, I should note. It looks like, though I can't quite tell, they may be a slightly higher backed variant. You don't get many complaints about them (other than that them being used as 1st is taking the proverbial) apart from one - the armrests are quite high which is uncomfortable for some.

SHD · 2 Mar 2020

Bletchleyite said:
The seats are the same ones in the 2+2 Southern Electrostars and LNR's sham 1st, if that's any help?

That’s it - Compin/Fainsa seats. Actually comfortable enough, and ample legroom (I am 1.86m tall).
The picture reflects well on the poor atmosphere (cold fluorescent lighting).

WesternLancer · 2 Mar 2020

Bletchleyite said:
They're the same thing, aren't they

No, it's the older Fainsa type:

Electrostar older type seats

Ouigo interior

Not my photos, I should note. It looks like, though I can't quite tell, they may be a slightly higher backed variant. You don't get many complaints about them (other than that them being used as 1st is taking the proverbial) apart from one - the armrests are quite high which is uncomfortable for some.

So ref Electrostar they would be classed as the 'good ones' I think!

WesternLancer · 2 Mar 2020

AlexNL said:
Ouigo is completely isolated from the rest of the services, and I don't think the Railteam 'HOTNAT' promises apply either.

Thanks - fairly key point.

WesternLancer · 2 Mar 2020

also of note is that seat61 suggest Ouigo does not appear on the DB online europewide journey planner / station departure details. I've not checked that yet with a test search but will do.

STEVIEBOY1 · 2 Mar 2020

Alfonso said:
Ouigo: SNCF owned low cost no frills TGV service with weird seating as described in other posts
Izzy: SNCF owned lower cost and slower service from Paris to Brussels using a leased Eurostar train
Both: SNCF initiatives designed to stop real competition

Ok, thank you.

WesternLancer · 2 Mar 2020

Alfonso said:
Ouigo: SNCF owned low cost no frills TGV service with weird seating as described in other posts
Izzy: SNCF owned lower cost and slower service from Paris to Brussels using a leased Eurostar train
Both: SNCF initiatives designed to stop real competition

So what is TGV Inoui? I assume this is a conventional SNCF TGV?

Seat61 says Ouigo bookings are entirely separate to SNCF and only via the Ouigo website, yet having just run the travel date through the website https://en.oui.sncf/ which I selected from googling 'sncf ticket sales' it appears to show prices for both ouigo and Inoui trains on the same day of my sample test booking.

I suppose it is good to see that after 20+ years of UK privatization, Continental operators are now adopting UK best practice - ie an incomprehensibly complex set of meaningless brands, choices and fares!

Bletchleyite · 2 Mar 2020

WesternLancer said:
So what is TGV Inoui? I assume this is a conventional SNCF TGV?

inOui is a silly name (because it sounds like "ennui" which means "boredom") for a regular TGV. The French love giving products silly names, though.

WesternLancer · 2 Mar 2020

Bletchleyite said:
inOui is a silly name (because it sounds like "ennui" which means "boredom") for a regular TGV. The French love giving products silly names, though.

Thanks!

SHD · 2 Mar 2020

Bletchleyite said:
inOui is a silly name (because it sounds like "ennui" which means "boredom") for a regular TGV. The French love giving products silly names, though.

Inouï in French means “unheard of” but also “fantastic”, “extraordinary”. You may well find it silly as a brand name for a train service - I do too - but your claim that “inouï” sounds like “ennui” is quite bizarre. The initial vowels are markedly different.

AlexNL · 2 Mar 2020

The idea behind the "TGV inOui" brand is to differentiate it from the more generic "TGV" moniker. TGV has become a household name (like 'Hoover') and SNCF have muddied the waters by introducing Ouigo next to the more generic "TGV" name. By introducing the more separate "inOui" brand they want to make it clearer to the public that it's their "premium" offering.

yorksrob · 2 Mar 2020

Bletchleyite said:
They're the same thing, aren't they

No, it's the older Fainsa type:

Electrostar older type seats

Ouigo interior

Not my photos, I should note. It looks like, though I can't quite tell, they may be a slightly higher backed variant. You don't get many complaints about them (other than that them being used as 1st is taking the proverbial) apart from one - the armrests are quite high which is uncomfortable for some.

No !

The top photo has the good ones.

k-c-p · 6 Mar 2020

Hand baggage only? Has SNCF stopped being a railway?

Ouigo is like a low-cost airline. Add ons cost extra:

A large bag is 5€
seats in the quite cars are more expensive than those in the "normal" cars

If you want to get from A to B Ouigo is good value for your money: I have used it several times to get from Paris to Nantes for less than 20€.

Nehalem501 · 5 May 2020

If you don't care to take the slower regular train, there is also another category of budget trains: Intercités 100% Éco.
It's generally within the same price range as Ouigo trains but without all the limitations around luggage and such, however like with Ouigo, you need to book tickets in advance online.
These are old style trains with a locomotive pulling coaches, the old regular "Corail" coaches have better seats that the Ouigo trains. On most lines these trains travel with a speed between 160 and 200kph, so not that slow.
The only downside is that's not always easy to find these trains in the SNCF trip planner to buy tickets.

https://www.sncf.com/en/passenger-offer/travel-on-a-budget/intercites-eco

I remember taking it once from Paris Est to Strasbourg but according to the SNCF website it seems like it doesn't exist anymore.

popeter45 · 5 May 2020

Nehalem501 said:
If you don't care to take the slower regular train, there is also another category of budget trains: Intercités 100% Éco.
It's generally within the same price range as Ouigo trains but without all the limitations around luggage and such, however like with Ouigo, you need to book tickets in advance online.
These are old style trains with a locomotive pulling coaches, the old regular "Corail" coaches have better seats that the Ouigo trains. On most lines these trains travel with a speed between 160 and 200kph, so not that slow.
The only downside is that's not always easy to find these trains in the SNCF trip planner to buy tickets.

https://www.sncf.com/en/passenger-offer/travel-on-a-budget/intercites-eco

I remember taking it once from Paris Est to Strasbourg but according to the SNCF website it seems like it doesn't exist anymore.

SNCF are trying to retire the Corails so my assumption is as they dont want to buy new stock for a budget service (OuiGo is old TGV stock) they are just cancelling Intercity Eco routes when they get rid of the rolling stock

what's SNCF Ouigo like

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