French railways SNCF unveils new premium travel experience with OPTIMUM

TGV INOUI is rolling out a new premium travel class, dubbed OPTIMUM, designed to deliver the best of French high-speed rail to travelers across the country. The new offering, available starting January 8, 2026, targets passengers—especially business travelers—seeking a higher-end, seamless rail experience. It comes in two service levels: OPTIMUM and OPTIMUM PLUS.

From Monday to Friday, OPTIMUM will be available on all trains arriving in or departing from central Paris. OPTIMUM PLUS, the most exclusive tier, will be offered exclusively on the Paris–Lyon TGV route.

According to SNCF, upgrading from a Flex fare to OPTIMUM will cost an average of €2 more, while stepping up to OPTIMUM PLUS will add about €20.

OPTIMUM: flexible, comfortable, and consistently premium

Created to standardize and elevate the travel experience nationwide, OPTIMUM turns every trip into a higher-quality journey with full flexibility:

• Free changes and refunds
  Plans change? So can the ticket—free of charge, up to 30 minutes after departure.

• Guaranteed exchange
  Even if the preferred train is sold out, passengers can switch to it (without guaranteed seating). Exchanges to OUIGO trains remain possible directly via the TGV INOUI PRO app.

OPTIMUM also guarantees a fixed fare, whether the ticket is booked two months ahead or the day before departure.

Beyond flexibility, OPTIMUM includes an expanded suite of services designed for frequent and business travelers:

• Access to Grand Voyageur Le Club lounges
  Exclusive spaces equipped with high-performance Wi-Fi, a wide selection of beverages, a rich entertainment portal, and a range of print media.

• A dedicated quiet zone onboard
  An exclusive, privacy-focused environment ideal for working or resting.

• A robust entertainment portal
  More than 500 movies, documentaries, series, podcasts, games, and international press titles—plus exclusive content accessible via the OPTIMUM button.

• The TGV INOUI PRO mobile app
  Streamlined management for bookings, exchanges, and cancellations.

• Dedicated customer service
  Personalized support before, during, and after travel.

OPTIMUM PLUS: TGV INOUI’s highest level of premium service

Tailored for the most demanding travelers and available only on Paris–Lyon, OPTIMUM PLUS builds on all OPTIMUM benefits—full ticket flexibility, quiet seating areas, and lounge access—while adding standout premium features.

• A dedicated onboard host
  Providing personalized service and responding to passenger needs throughout the journey.

• High-quality at-seat dining
  A curated selection of fresh, seasonal dishes inspired by French “bistronomie,” served with complimentary hot or cold beverages. Menus vary by time of day—breakfast, sweet or savory snacks, lunch, or dinner. The new culinary offer emphasizes SNCF Voyageurs’ sustainability commitments through local, seasonal ingredients and porcelain tableware.

• Enhanced customer service
  A dedicated support team available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with priority handling for requests.

TGV INOUI currently operates 18 daily round trips between Paris and Lyon, connecting city center to city center.

Related News Stories:  Le Train and Velvet, 2 private rail operators in France to challenge ...     Austrian rail stops night trains from Paris to Berlin and to Vienna     Trenitalia boots rail competition between Paris and Marseille     Rail remains more expensive than flying in France     Strikes to affect air and rail transport across Europe     Marseilles transportation links affected by fire     Trenitalia: more trains within France and a project for Paris-London     Swiss rail to acquire high-speed trains for international expansion     French ATC strike postponed     New direct train to link Copenhagen to Prague via Berlin in 2026