Trains: TGV & Regional

SNCF Acces Plus Service

Acces Plus is SNCF's free assistance service for travelers with disabilities. It covers all TGV (high-speed), Intercites (intercity), and TER (regional) trains in France. The service provides help from station arrival through boarding, during the journey, and at your destination station.

What Acces Plus Provides

• A staff member meets you at the station entrance or a designated meeting point.
• Assistance navigating the station, including help with elevators and finding your platform.
• A portable ramp placed at the train door to bridge the gap between platform and carriage.
• Help stowing luggage on the train.
• A staff member at your destination station to help you off the train and to the exit.
• The service is free. No extra charge on top of your ticket.

How to Book Acces Plus

1. Online: Visit the SNCF Acces Plus portal at acces-plus.sncf.com. Create an account, enter your disability details, and request assistance for a specific journey. You will need your ticket confirmation number.
2. By phone: Call 0 800 11 40 23 (free from France) or +33 1 80 90 36 35 (from abroad). Lines are open Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
3. At the station: Go to the Acces Plus desk (look for the wheelchair sign) or any ticket counter. However, same-day requests are not guaranteed.

Wheelchair Spaces on TGV Trains

Every TGV train has at least one wheelchair space in first class and one in second class. The wheelchair space is in a designated carriage (usually carriage 1 or carriage 8, depending on the train model). The space includes:

• A flat area with tie-down straps to secure the wheelchair.
• An adjacent seat for a companion.
• An accessible toilet in the same carriage, with grab bars, a wide door (opens automatically), and enough space to maneuver.
• A call button to alert the train conductor if you need help.

How to Book a Wheelchair Space

Wheelchair spaces cannot be booked through the standard SNCF website or app. You must use one of these methods:

1. Acces Plus portal: When you book assistance, you can simultaneously reserve the wheelchair space.
2. Phone: Call the Acces Plus number and request a wheelchair space when booking assistance.
3. At the station: Visit a ticket counter and ask for a "place UFR" (place for wheelchair user). Show your ticket and the agent will assign you the wheelchair space.

Wheelchair spaces are sold at the standard ticket price. A companion traveling with you gets a 50% discount on their ticket. If you hold a French carte mobilite inclusion, the companion rides free.

Eurostar Accessibility

Eurostar trains between Paris Gare du Nord and London St Pancras have two wheelchair spaces per train, both in Standard Premier class. The accessible carriage has a wider door, a wheelchair tie-down area, and an accessible toilet.

Booking Eurostar with a Wheelchair

1. Call the Eurostar Special Assistance team: +44 3432 186 186 (from the UK) or +33 1 70 70 60 88 (from France). Book at least 48 hours in advance.
2. You cannot book wheelchair spaces online. Phone booking is required.
3. Wheelchair spaces are charged at the Standard Premier fare. Your companion gets a 50% discount.
4. Arrive at Gare du Nord at least 60 minutes before departure for check-in, customs, and boarding assistance.

Major Paris Train Stations

Gare du Nord

Gare du Nord serves Eurostar, Thalys/Izy (to Belgium/Netherlands), and TGV Nord trains. The station has elevators from street level to platforms, but the station is large and crowded. The Acces Plus meeting point is on the ground floor near the main entrance, marked with a wheelchair sign. Accessible toilets are near the Eurostar departure area and on the main concourse. The station connects to metro lines 4 and 5, and RER B, D, and E.

Gare de Lyon

Gare de Lyon serves TGV trains to southern France, Switzerland, and Italy. The station has two levels: the main hall (Hall 1 and Hall 2) and the underground level connecting to metro and RER. Elevators connect all levels. The Acces Plus desk is in Hall 1 near the departure boards. Accessible toilets are located in both halls. Platforms are accessed via elevators or ramps, though some platforms require navigating through a long corridor.

Gare Montparnasse

Gare Montparnasse serves TGV Atlantique trains to western and southwestern France (Bordeaux, Nantes, Rennes, Toulouse). The station underwent major renovation and has good elevator access to all platforms. The Acces Plus point is at the main entrance on the Porte Oceane side. Accessible toilets are on the departure level. The station connects to metro lines 4, 6, 12, and 13.

Gare de l'Est

Serves TGV Est trains to Strasbourg and eastern France, plus ICE trains to Germany. Elevators are available to platforms. The station is compact and easier to navigate than Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon.

Gare Saint-Lazare

Serves regional trains to Normandy (Rouen, Le Havre, Deauville). Elevators connect the main concourse to platforms. The Acces Plus desk is inside the main hall.

Assistance Booking Deadlines

Tips for Train Travel

• Always confirm your wheelchair space when you arrive at the station. Go to the Acces Plus desk first; do not go directly to the platform.
• Platform changes happen frequently. The Acces Plus staff will know the correct platform and guide you there.
• Train toilets labeled with the wheelchair symbol are the accessible ones. They have automatic sliding doors, grab bars, and extra floor space. Regular train toilets are too narrow for wheelchair users.
• Power outlets are available at wheelchair spaces for charging electric wheelchairs during the journey. French trains use Type E sockets (standard European plug with ground pin).
• Food service carts pass through the accessible carriage. If you cannot reach the bar car, the conductor can arrange for snacks and drinks to be brought to you.