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Paris to Metz by train
How to take the train from Paris to Metz
You can only take high speed trains from Paris to Metz, but both the regular TGV InOui services and low-cost, but more basic, Ouigo services share the route.
It's particularly worthwhile to click on the Train Guides below so that you can compare the two train services.
However, if you need to arrive at a specific time you will often have to take one train service or the other.
The Ouigo services can plug gaps between the TGV InOui departures.
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Routes
Option 1: Travelling on the regular InOui services
Journey Summary
1hr 24min - 1hr 31min
Daily
Travel Information
Note that these trains depart from Gare de l'Est in Paris.
When making a journey from Paris to Metz, you can now choose between:
(1) These TGV InOui services
(2) Cheaper, but more basic Ouigo services
Final Destination: Luxembourg or Metz
**Mon - Fri ** = 7 x trains per day
Saturday = 5 x trains
Sunday = 6 x trains
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 4 months ahead of the travel date - but bookings can open sooner when SNCF is running a promotion.
If tickets aren't on sale yet for your travel date, you can sign up to the ticket availability notification service on Oui.SNCF.
When looking for tickets on Oui.SNCF tick the 'direct trains' box - on Trainline tick the 'fastest journeys' box.
The price is dictated by demand per departure so book ahead and try and be flexible re: your departure and arrival times, as trains leaving earlier or later can be cheaper.
There are also now cheaper, but more basic Ouigo trains on this route from Paris to Metz
The Oui.SNCF (French national railways website) will indicate the cheapest price per day, click on this and you will be shown the departures on which this price is available.
Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey, but rail pass users will need to be pay a reservation fee prior to boarding.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Oui.SNCF | from €25 | |
| Trainline | from €25 | |
| Download the Oui.SNCF app | from €25 | |
| SaveATrain | from €25 | |
| Happyrail | from €25 | |
| RailEurope | from €25 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
It is not a scenically interesting journey from Paris to Metz.
What gives this journey its wow factor is that for some of this trip you'll be travelling at more than 300 km/h on the the fastest high speed line in France!
Option 2: Save money by taking the more basic Ouigo service
Journey Summary
1 hr 23min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Metz-Ville
When making a high speed train journey from central Paris to Metz, you now have a choice of travelling by:
(1) TGV InOui trains
(2) These Ouigo services
So you can now opt to save money, but have a much more basic on board experience, and travel on a Ouigo.
2 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6 months ahead* of the travel date - usually
*Tickets for the alternative service of TGV InOui trains are usually made available 4 months ahead, so if you look up this journey more than 4 months ahead on Oui.SNCF, you will only see these Ouigo services, but they are not the only option on this route.
How tickets can be booked and used for a journey by a Ouigo train, differs from booking tickets on a TGV (InOui) service.
What is particularly worth being aware of when booking tickets for journeys by Ouigo train services is:
(1) 1st class/Premiere tickets are not available.
(2) Reservations are included when booking, as they are on TGV InOui trains, but you cannot choose a seating area, you have to sit in the seat(s) you are assigned when booking - and double deck trains are used for Ouigo services.
(3) You cannot book or collect tickets for Ouigo trains at stations.
(4) Additional fees apply if you want access to a power socket, or to travel with additional luggage - click the yellow Ouigo button to access more info on the luggage allowances on Ouigo trains - they're more restrictive than on TGV InOui trains.
(5) A higher price is charged to travel in 'Quiet Zones' on Ouigo trains - and children aged 11 and under cannot travel in these quiet zones.
Though these factors, and more, are why you can make big savings by opting to travel by these Ouigo trains - and not on the standard TGV InOui trains.
Eurail and InterRail Pass Users:
Rail passes cannot be used on Ouigo trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Oui.SNCF | from €19 | |
| Ouigo | from €19 | |
| Trainline | from €19 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
If you do opt to travel from Paris to Metz by these Ouigo trains, you should aim to be at the Gare de l'Est 30 mins before the train is due to depart.
And that's because you need to pass through 'reception' before boarding a Ouigo train, staff need to verify that all passengers are abiding by the 'rules' of travelling on a Ouigo train, no additional un-booked luggage, no bikes etc.
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