Trenitalia Takes on SNCF: A New Era for Paris-Marseille Travel

The High-Speed Rail Race Heats Up: Trenitalia Enters the Paris-Marseille Arena

The landscape of high-speed rail travel in France is about to change, dramatically. Trenitalia, the Italian rail operator, is strategically positioning itself as a major competitor to SNCF Voyageurs, particularly on the lucrative Paris-Marseille route. After successfully launching services on the Paris-Lyon and Paris-Lyon-Milan lines, Trenitalia is now setting its sights on another SNCF stronghold. Is this a game-changer for travelers seeking affordable and efficient rail options? It certainly looks that way.

Starting June 15th, Trenitalia will operate four daily round trips between Paris and Marseille, directly challenging SNCF’s impressive 26 daily services with both Inoui and Ouigo trains. The key to Trenitalia’s strategy? Aggressive pricing, mirroring their approach on the Lyon and Milan routes.

Pricing Showdown: How Trenitalia Aims to Undercut SNCF

Trenitalia’s fares are designed to catch the eye, ranging from €27 to €45 for a one-way ticket, depending on the time of day. But how does this stack up against SNCF’s offerings? While SNCF Voyageurs does offer comparable low-end prices (€19 on Ouigo and €25 on Inoui), the overall price structure reveals some notable differences.

Let’s consider a Wednesday, July 2nd departure. Trenitalia boasts multiple journeys from €27. SNCF, on the same date, offers Ouigo tickets starting at €29, but their classic TGV Inoui fares begin at a steeper €55. That’s quite a spread, isn’t it?

And what about booking further out? For a trip on July 11th with a return on August 9th, Trenitalia quotes €72, while SNCF’s price jumps to €110. Of course, it’s important to factor in potential discounts or fare caps offered by SNCF, which could narrow the gap. Still, Trenitalia’s pricing is undeniably aggressive, clearly aimed at attracting new customers and building brand awareness.

The Strategy Behind the Savings: Margins and Tolls

So, how does Trenitalia manage to offer such competitive prices? They’re pulling two key levers: their margins and discounted toll fees. Trenitalia openly admits to sacrificing margins, which results in financial losses, at least for the time being. In 2023, the group reportedly posted €45 million in revenue but suffered a €50 million loss (following a €34.5 million loss in 2022). However, they remain optimistic about reaching break-even in the coming years, banking on increased service offerings.

But the real key? It comes down to toll fees.

Toll Fees: The Crux of the Matter

Toll fees, which every rail operator pays to SNCF Réseau for track access, are among the highest in Europe, especially on busy lines like Paris-Marseille. Trenitalia is benefiting from temporary discounts. While these discounts no longer apply to the Paris-Lyon line, Trenitalia has reportedly secured a significant rebate for Paris-Marseille. According to sources, this rebate amounts to €30 million for the period between June 2025 and June 2028.

That’s a substantial amount, especially when considered against their revenue, and it allows Trenitalia to maintain its aggressive pricing strategy. This “differentiated pricing,” as it’s known in railway jargon, is a standard practice designed to attract new players to the French market.

SNCF Réseau acknowledges the practice, stating that toll fees are set based on traffic potential and intermodal competition. Less profitable routes have low fees, while profitable routes have higher fees. The Transport Regulatory Authority (ART) ensures these fees are fair and don’t hinder market development. New entrants can benefit from differentiated pricing for two years, possibly three, subject to ART validation.

These rebates clearly help animate the market, especially on routes where the dominant operator offers six times more daily services. The established operator, of course, is SNCF Voyageurs, which, while not commenting on the specific rules applied to new entrants, emphasizes the need for these new players to contribute more to network funding and regional development. After all, SNCF Réseau relies partly on SNCF Voyageurs’ profits through a contribution fund. So, SNCF effectively pays twice: through toll fees (without rebates) and through this profit-based contribution.

Trenitalia’s Take: Building a Sustainable Presence

Trenitalia has not commented on the specific differentiated pricing arrangements, but they have stated that they secured a 10% toll discount on the Paris-Lyon line for three years, a factor incorporated into their budget.

Once the discount period ends, Trenitalia might have to raise prices, unless they’re willing to continue absorbing losses. This, in turn, could test the patience of their parent company, FS (Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane), the Italian state railway. Will they maintain their aggressive stance, or will market realities force a change in strategy?

Paris to Marseille by Train: Cheaper Than Ever?

Since March 11th, booking tickets on the Trenitalia Marseille-Paris route has been possible, marking another step towards increased competition in the French high-speed rail market. Services began on June 15th with attractive introductory prices.

The route includes stops at Aix-en-Provence TGV, Avignon TGV, and Lyon Saint-Exupéry, providing options for travelers along the way. The arrival of competition is sparking debate, with some travelers hopeful for lower prices. “If others offer something cheaper, that’s great,” said one young woman at Saint-Charles station. An older gentleman echoed this sentiment: “If others offer something cheaper, so much the better.” A more cautious view came from a man in his thirties: “We need to see the value for money, but it’s good, it’s Europe, and if we’re doing Europe, we need to do it for everything.”

Starting at Just €27: The Lure of Trenitalia

Beginning June 15th, Trenitalia operates four daily round trips with prices starting at €27 in standard class and €37 in business class. Christopher Michau, director of operator relations at Trainline, notes the significance of this new offering.

Bernard Cintolesi, a union representative, is more cautious, suggesting that introductory offers may not translate into long-term price reductions. He draws parallels with the liberalization of the electricity market, where prices haven’t necessarily decreased.

Price Cuts on Other Routes: A Promising Sign

On the Paris-Lyon route, which Trenitalia has served since 2021, prices have fallen by an average of 43%. Similar trends are observed in other European markets open to competition, particularly in Spain, now Europe’s most competitive high-speed rail market.

Trenitalia was the first company to take advantage of the opening of the French high-speed rail market in late 2021 with the Paris-Lyon-Milan line. They have since been joined by Spain’s Renfe, operating routes between Madrid and Marseille and between Barcelona and Lyon. While SNCF is focused on maximizing capacity and boosting its service offerings, its competitors plan to position themselves on nearly all profitable lines by 2030, according to SNCF Voyageurs’ projections. Meanwhile, SNCF is preparing to enter the Italian market in 2026, already having a presence in Spain.

Trenitalia Opens Ticket Sales for Summer: Competing with SNCF

To coincide with the opening of ticket sales for the summer period, Trenitalia unveiled the new Marseille-Paris route on March 11th, with four daily round trips and intermediate stops in Lyon, Avignon TGV, and Aix-en-Provence, in addition to the existing Paris-Lyon-Milan service.

Tickets start at €27 in standard class, €37 in business class, and €180 in executive class. Marco Caposciutti, president of Trenitalia France, emphasizes that while the prices are attractive and competitive, the service is not low-cost. The goal is to offer the best value for money.

Better Service at a Lower Price?

Many travelers feel that Trenitalia offers better service at a lower price than SNCF. “Much better than SNCF, and cheaper!” exclaimed one user on TikTok. “They are much more comfortable too,” confirmed another commenter.

What do travelers like so much about Trenitalia? Besides low prices, the trains offer quiet carriages, free Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, comfortable seating, and clean toilets, even in standard class. And for those opting for business or executive class, the experience is even more luxurious, featuring meeting rooms, ultra-comfortable seats, and included meals. Is it any wonder that travelers are singing Trenitalia’s praises?

Impeccable Value: Trenitalia’s Edge

“Their second class is as good as SNCF’s first class,” noted one Facebook user. “I love this company. Not only are the staff immensely kind, but the comfort is far superior to SNCF! For my Paris-Lyon trips, I only take Trenitalia,” confessed another.

And let’s not forget the excellent Italian coffee served onboard! The consensus online is overwhelmingly positive: “Super service,” “Long live Trenitalia,” “Excellent company.” Many are even calling for Trenitalia to open new routes. What does Marco Caposciutti, president of Trenitalia France, think? “Our number of travelers has been increasing by 40% every year for the past three years. We want to continue to develop the market in France and consolidate our business.” Only time will tell if they can succeed, but for now, the future looks bright.

Trenitalia Launches Direct Marseille-Paris Service

Watch the video below for a quick overview of Trenitalia’s new Marseille-Paris service and its impact on the French rail market.

Challenges Ahead: Filling the Seats

For Trenitalia to succeed in the long run, its trains need to be full. However, some users have reported difficulties with the company’s website and booking process. “I ended up giving up,” confessed one frustrated internet user. Addressing these usability issues will be crucial for attracting and retaining customers. Can they iron out the kinks and make booking a breeze? That remains to be seen.

The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Trenitalia?

Trenitalia’s entry into the Paris-Marseille route marks a significant shift in the French high-speed rail landscape. With its competitive pricing and commitment to quality service, the Italian operator is poised to challenge SNCF’s dominance and offer travelers a compelling alternative. However, to ensure long-term success, Trenitalia must address challenges related to website usability and booking processes, while also navigating the complexities of toll fees and market dynamics.

As the competition intensifies, it remains to be seen how SNCF will respond and how the evolving market will ultimately benefit passengers. One thing is certain: the future of high-speed rail travel in France is looking more exciting than ever before.