France's iconic double-deck TGV high-speed train running at up to 320 km/h. Operates between Paris Gare de Lyon and Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, and international destinations including Geneva and Barcelona.
The TGV Duplex entered service with SNCF in 1997 as the world's first double-deck high-speed train, designed to carry 50 percent more passengers per service without lengthening platforms.
The TGV Duplex is SNCF's double-deck high-speed train, introduced in 1997 as the world's first twin-level high-speed service. By stacking two passenger levels above a single-level bogie, the Duplex carries up to 508 passengers per 10-car set, making it one of the highest-capacity high-speed trains in the world. It operates on France's busiest TGV corridors including Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu, Marseille Saint-Charles, Montpellier, and Barcelona Sants.
Speed on the LGV Sud-Est (Paris to Lyon high-speed line) reaches 300 km/h, completing the 427-kilometre journey in around 2 hours. Continuing south to Marseille adds another hour. Services extending to Montpellier (3 hours from Paris) and Barcelona (6 hours 30 minutes) are operated with the TGV Duplex or the newer Ouigo Duplex branded sets on the international sections.
First Class (Premiere) is available on the upper deck of most sets, featuring wider seats in a 2+1 layout. Standard Class (Seconde) has 2+2 seating on both decks. A self-service Bistrot car is included in most sets providing warm food, snacks, beverages, and children's snack boxes. Wi-Fi is available but connection quality varies with speed and tunnel sections.
Book TGV Duplex tickets at sncf-connect.com or via the SNCF Connect app. French domestic fares are tiered: Prem's (lowest, no refund), TGV Max (subscription-based), and Flexible (full-price refundable). Pre-purchase Prem's fares for Paris to Lyon can be as low as 15 to 30 euros if booked early. On sale at midnight French local time on each new booking date.
Travel tip: Upper deck seats on the TGV Duplex offer better views and slightly less noise from the bogies below. If you want a quiet journey on a busy Paris to Lyon service, choose an upper deck seat in a Second Class quiet coach (Espace Calme).
Reserved seating
Reserved seating
Book TGV Duplex tickets at sncf-connect.com, the official SNCF portal. Compare fares and seat availability before booking. Online booking typically opens 30 to 90 days before departure.
Book NowVisit any SNCF booking office in person. Staff can help with seat selection, group bookings, and special assistance. Book early for popular departure times and holidays.
Contact SNCF for schedule information, delay updates, and booking assistance via their official website or station helpdesk.
Visit SNCFThe full TGV Duplex timetable is shown in the schedule table above with departure times at every stop. Confirm timings with SNCF before travel as schedules can change between annual timetable revisions.
TGV Duplex fares start from approximately EUR 35 for 2nd Class (Standard) class and go up to EUR 85 for 1st Class (Première). Higher-class fares include wider seating, climate control, and on long-distance services may include meals. Book through sncf-connect.com for the latest published fares and to check current seat availability.
Tickets for TGV Duplex are sold through sncf-connect.com, the official SNCF booking platform. Online booking opens between 30 and 180 days before departure depending on operator. Book in advance for the cheapest available fares. Tickets can also be purchased at station booking offices during opening hours, typically 08:00–20:00 daily.
The full stop list for TGV Duplex is being expanded in our database. For the complete route stop sequence, check the official SNCF timetable or website.
TGV Duplex running days are shown in the hero section at the top of this page (badges indicate which days of the week the train operates). Some long-distance services run daily while others operate only on specific days (typically weekday-only or weekend-only). Operating days can change with the annual timetable revision (usually December) so verify current running days with SNCF before booking, particularly for trips planned more than 6 months ahead.
Yes, sncf-connect.com typically accepts international debit and credit cards from major card networks. Some operators require a local phone number for SMS confirmation — check the booking requirements before starting your reservation. Booking platforms display fares in the local currency of the operator.
TGV Duplex offers 2 travel classes: 2nd Class (Standard), 1st Class (Première). Economy or standard classes have reserved numbered seats at the lowest fare. Premium classes (business, first class, sleeper) add wider seats, climate control, and on overnight services berths for lying flat. The fare table on this page lists current published prices for each class.
Platform numbers are not pre-published — they are announced on station information displays between 20 and 60 minutes before scheduled departure. Arrive early at the originating station to check the platform allocation displays. At larger stations, platform numbers can also be viewed on the operator's app. If the train is delayed or rescheduled, the platform may change at short notice — always verify against station displays immediately before boarding.
Opens SNCF official booking site