Holidays are just wonderful! For a few days, we leave behind all our work worries to explore France, visit our loved ones, or simply take some time for ourselves. However, and we know this well, affording train tickets is not always easy for everyone. And it doesn’t seem like it will get any better considering the price of SNCF tickets in recent years. But what you might not know is that if you are an employee, you can enjoy a little discount! Let us explain.
A little revolution... nearly a century ago.
If I say “Annual holiday ticket”, does that ring a bell? No? Well, believe it or not, it was back in 1936 that Léo Lagrange, who was then the under-secretary of state for sports and leisure organization, introduced it.Leon Blum decided to set it up. The principle is simple: every year, SNCF grants all employees in France a 40% discount on a trip taken during their vacation. And the discount applies to the requester, but also to their family!
Billet SNCF de congé annuel !! -25%, je ne connaissais pas ce truc !https://t.co/tHQCGHKoXi
— Alex Ruben (@rubenxela) August 13, 2023
Since then, the discount has dropped to “only” 25% (but hey, let's not complain, that's still pretty great!), this offer is still completely valid, and it allows you to travel for up to 61 days on a round trip of at least 200 km in total. It applies to the full fare of second class. We know what you're thinking, but unfortunately, it is not combinable with advantage cards...
Give me my ticket !
Even today, the annual leave ticket allows you to enjoy a discount once a year (as the name suggests), which you can share with your partner, your children under 21, or your parents if you're single and they live at home.
you. The only requirement for your loved ones to travel at a lower cost : that this little world shares the same address.Et pour les vacances, n'oubliez pas que vous avez le droit à -25% ou -50% sur vos billets de train grâce au billet de congé annuel ! https://t.co/8vvhkCnnTr#vacances #sncf #congeannuel
— Malloradium (@Malloradium) December 4, 2018
To make your request, all you need to do is download the online form, fill in your information, and get it signed by your employer, then return it to SNCF, either at an agency or through the ChatBot of the train company. Once your request is validated, all you have left to do is book your tickets by phone or at the station. Because, after all, 25% off is definitely worth it, and if everything were digital, it would be too easy, right?
All the information is available on the public service website, right here !
