Travelling by train with SNCF
How can I get assistance for train travel?
Travelers with disabilities or reduced mobility can receive free assistance at departure and/or arrival stations, from the dedicated welcome areas to their seats on the train. This service is available in more than 1,000 stations across France. In some stations and trains, assistance may be essential for wheelchair users. In some cases, you may need to arrange for staff to help you board and disembark from the train.
During peak periods, we recommend you pre-book this service at least three months before your travel date to ensure assistance, otherwise assistance may be subject to availability.
Assist’enGare offers a single reservation service in French and English to make bookings for any train easy.
You can reach Assist’enGare in the following ways:
Please use the online reservation form or call us 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm on 32 12 (toll free + call charges) or from abroad on +33 (0)9 72 72 00 92. You can also make a reservation via our special call centre for the hearing impaired: RogerVoice.
Assistance service details
Before buying your train ticket, we recommend that you check whether an assistance service is available at the required station at the time you need it: to do so, go to garagetconnexions.sncf and the “Find a station” section on Transilien.com.
How can I travel by train if I use a wheelchair?
On SNCF trains, wheelchair users are welcomed with reserved spaces and an average of two seats per train. Outside the Île-de-France region, this number can increase to four when two trains are coupled.
Don’t forget to book as soon as possible!
To help you plan your stations and journeys, you can check the operating status of elevators and escalators throughout France by visiting garagetconnexions.sncf.
learn more
Visit sncf.com, our dedicated website, to find out more about the services and support SNCF offers to passengers with physical or mobility impairments. Find out about the dimensions of wheelchairs accepted on board, discounted fares for accompanying persons, the availability of assistance and service dogs, services for the hearing impaired and the facilities available on board and at stations.
Put simply
If you have a disability, download this document which summarises the steps you need to take to prepare for your train journey within France or from abroad.