As holiday time approaches, booking a train ticket becomes a national sport. There’s maximum anticipation, comparison websites are open, and often the reflex is to choose Ouigo instead of a TGV Inoui, hoping to pay less. Except that this strategy is working less and less.
According to figures published on December 15, 2025, by the National Federation of Transport User Associations (FNAUT), the average price of a OuiGo ticket jumped from €19.8 to €34.2 excluding taxes between 2017 and 2023, which is an increase of 73%. That’s a dramatic rise for an offer marketed as budget-friendly, and it greatly surpasses the price evolution of many standard TGV tickets.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Rising prices, even per kilometer
Contrary to what one might think, this surge in prices isn't due to longer journeys or new, more distant destinations. The FNAUT has looked into the price per kilometer, and the verdict is clear: +68% increase for Ouigo over the period of 2017-2023.
In comparison, TGV Inoui tickets have seen a more moderate price increase. It's a paradox, considering that Ouigo trains are designed to carry more passengers (634 seats compared to 556 for a TGV Inoui). In theory, more travelers means costs are spread out better… and thus cheaper tickets. In practice, the promise has faded.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
A supply under pressure facing record demand
Another key element: the rail supply is struggling to keep up with demand. According to FNAUT, the overall supply in seat-kilometers has decreased by 1.6% from 2017 to 2023, despite the rise of Ouigo. This growth doesn’t make up for the 17.5% drop in TGV Inoui supply.
At the same time, the number of passengers has exploded, jumping from 138.5 to 151.9 million, which is an impressive +10% in six years. The result: trains are often full, even outside peak periods, and prices are climbing mechanically.
In response to the criticisms, SNCF Voyageurs states that fares have not risen as quickly as inflation and reminds us that Ouigo attracts new audiences. However, for many travelers, the "low-cost" seems to now be more of a slogan.
> than reality.