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Travel On Train TGV InOui (Océane)
A TGV Océane train has arrived in Toulouse

TGV InOui (Océane)

Welcome to the guide to the latest generation of TGV trains operated by the French national rail operator SNCF.

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At a Glance

Travel Pass Supplement

Rail Pass Reservation Fees
Reservations

Compulsory
Time of Day

Day
Catering

Food services available

Bistro (bar food and take away meals)
Accessibility

Accessing the train

Wheelchair Spaces
Bikes Allowed
Train Specification

Attributes of the train

Has a Conductor
High Speed (total journey)
Country

Which country these trains operate in.

France
Travel Passes
Eurail
InterRail

On Board

Première/Premium/1ére

Perks
WiFi

A complimentary WiFi portal is available throughout this train.

Power Socket

The power sockets on this train are compatible with standard E.U. two point plugs.

In Premiére/1st class, the seats will be rotated by staff prior to boarding, so that most of them face the direction of travel.

On The TGV Océane trains, one of the three Premiére/1st class coaches on each individual train* is usually set aside for the exclusive use of those who have booked Business Premiére tickets.
*= Two trains are joined together on many departures.

Seconde/2nde/2

Perks
WiFi

A complimentary WiFi portal is available throughout this train.

Power Socket

The power sockets on this train are compatible with standard E.U. two point plugs.

The double deck coaches on a TGV Océane train The double deck coaches on a TGV Océane train
A close up of a door to a TGV Océane coach showing the electronic info panel A close up of a door to a TGV Océane coach showing the electronic info panel

TGV Océane travel guide:

These are the brand new TGV trains - so new that we have yet to have had the opportunity to travel by them - hence the limited information (by our usual standards).

They have been introduced on MOST of the services that use France's newest high speed line - the LGV Sud Europe Atlantique that has opened between Paris and Bordeaux.
So if you'll be taking a train which travels non-stop between Paris and Bordeaux, then it's likely that you will be travelling by one of these trains.

Many journeys taken by these trains also extend beyond Bordeaux to and from other destinations.
So it's likely that you will be travelling by these trains if you take a TGV between Paris and Bayonne or Biarritz or Hendaye or Lourdes or Tarbes and Toulouse.

The key innovations of the TGV Océane compared to the previous TGVs are:

  • more powerful Wi-fi
  • more luggage racks in the middle of the coaches and more luggage space under the seats
  • Power sockets are available in 2nd class.
  • In Premiére/1st class, the seats will be rotated by staff prior to boarding, so that most of them face the direction of travel.
  • More bike spaces are available than on other TGV trains, but spaces must be reserved prior to boarding.
  • Enhanced accessibility and services for travellers with reduced mobility.

SNCF is branding its top-class TGV services, those with new interiors and enhanced Wi-Fi, as INOUI services, therefore ALL departures on which TGV Océane trains are used are classed as TGV INOUI departures, on the Oui.SNCF ticket booking service.

On board summary:

Staircases link the lower and upper levels and there are toilets on both levels in each coach
However, if you want to access the bar counter, then it’s easier to move through the train at the upper level, as the serving counter is on the upper deck.

The upper deck inevitably offers better views, as they enable passengers to see over the sound barriers that line much of the track.
However, the scenery that can be seen from a French high speed line is rarely scintillating.

Target the lower deck if you have luggage and/or if you are tall - the lower deck can feel more spacious.
If you are tall and sat by the window on the upper deck, take care not to bang your head on the ceiling when you leave the seat.

Max luggage allowance = 2 suitcases/large bags + 1 item of hand luggage per person.

Reservations (& Using rail passes)

Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for journeys by TGV Océane trains.

Rail pass users will need to have made reservations prior to boarding.

Catering:

There is no trolley service on TGV trains so you will need to go the bar coach if you want to purchase food and drink – though don’t over rely on it having all items available to purchase.

TGV Bar Menu (PDF)

The at-seat catering service on TGV trains is only available if you order meals to be delivered to your seat prior to boarding.

The first stage of this catering booking service is to enter the train number (not the departure time) which will be on your ticket, into this order form.

Take care with food and drink, particularly un-opened bottles and drinks in cups and glasses. When the trains corner at high speed, drinks and food can fly off the table.

Conductor services:

On board announcements are in French language only, but the conductors usually speak English, so you can verify any questions when they pass through the train to check tickets.

Using mobile phones is discouraged in 1st class, you are expected to have conversations in the vestibules between the seating saloons.

If you happen to be travelling in a ‘Calme’ coach – (you may not have knowingly requested this), then the conductor will ask you to move from your seat to take a call

hand-money

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