Ouigo to Introduce New Low-Cost ‘Classic Train’ Service Between Paris and Bordeaux
Paris, January 28, 2026 – Ouigo, the low-cost subsidiary of France’s national railway company SNCF, is set to launch a new ‘classic train’ service connecting Paris and Bordeaux (Gironde) in early April 2026. This new offering will utilize older Corail train sets, providing a more affordable travel option with journey times estimated between five and five and a half hours, according to Jérôme Laffon, Ouigo’s General Director.
Three Weekly Round Trips to Cater to Weekend Demand
The new service will feature three weekly round trips, operating on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The inaugural departure from Paris-Austerlitz station is scheduled for a Friday afternoon, with a return journey from Bordeaux the following Saturday morning. An additional train will depart from the capital on Saturday afternoon, and the final service will run in the reverse direction on Sunday afternoon, arriving around 8 PM.
Intermediate stops are planned at Angoulême, Poitiers, Futuroscope park, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, and Les Aubrais-Orléans. This strategic routing aims to serve a broader range of travelers along the route.
Affordable Fares with a Focus on Families
Ticket prices for the new Ouigo ‘classic train’ service will range from €10 to €59 for adults. Children under 12 years old will benefit from a fixed fare of €5. Jérôme Laffon noted that approximately 50% of tickets are typically sold for around €20, regardless of the journey. Reservations for the new line are expected to open in March 2026.
This initiative targets a specific demographic, including intercity bus users and carpooling enthusiasts, often characterized as families and younger travelers. According to Ouigo, 60% of their current users are under 28 years old, highlighting their success in attracting a youthful customer base. The company anticipates serving 100,000 passengers in its first full year of operation and will assess market potential over the initial year.
Meeting a Growing Demand for Affordable Weekend Travel
Ouigo’s decision to launch this new line stems from a strong demand for more affordable weekend travel options between Paris and Bordeaux, complementing the existing high-speed TGV services. Similar ‘classic train’ services are already successfully operating from Nantes, Rennes, and Brussels (Belgium) to Paris, using refurbished Corail trains that Ouigo acquired in April 2022.
Jérôme Laffon emphasized, “We are targeting Bordeaux today because there is strong demand for weekend travel, other than high-speed, which wants even lower prices.” This expansion aligns with Ouigo’s broader strategy, as the company predicts that low-cost offerings will account for 30% of the high-speed travel market.
Ouigo’s Continued Expansion in the French Rail Network
The introduction of the Paris-Bordeaux ‘classic train’ route is part of Ouigo’s ongoing expansion plans. In 2026, the low-cost Ouigo trains are also slated to operate on other new routes, including Paris-Bordeaux and Strasbourg-Marseille, further broadening their reach across France. This growth reflects a strategic effort to make rail travel more accessible and affordable for a wider range of passengers.
By offering a cost-effective alternative to high-speed rail, Ouigo aims to attract travelers who prioritize budget over speed, thereby increasing the overall accessibility of train travel within France. This move is expected to intensify competition in the French rail market, potentially benefiting consumers through more diverse and affordable travel choices.
The company’s commitment to expanding its low-cost network underscores a broader trend in the European transport sector towards more accessible and budget-friendly travel solutions, catering to evolving consumer preferences and economic conditions.
Source: https://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/transports/ouigo-bientot-une-nouvelle-ligne-paris-bordeaux-en-train-classique-low-cost-4dc10740-fb93-11f0-89f0-ace4f37cd60b
