France’s national rail operator SNCF has introduced a premium TGV first-class fare that excludes children under 12, prompting criticism from activists and politicians over discrimination and family travel access.
France’s national train operator, SNCF, has introduced a new first-class fare for TGV (high-speed) trains, which doesn’t allow children under the age of 12.
The new premium first class “Optimum” fare, sold at a premium over regular first class fares, includes a seat in the upper deck of the first class car nearest the front of the train to ensure no other traffic passes through. The lower deck of the same car, and the other first-class cars on the train, remain open to all passengers regardless of age. Optimum fares are sold on select routes on weekdays.
“It’s direct discrimination,” activist Stéphanie d’Esclaibes told French radio RTL. “I understand needing quiet on the TGV when you want to work, but I also think this shouldn’t come at the expense of a social group, namely children. And I think it’s an opportunity to rethink spaces for children and families as well.”
SNCF pushed back on characterizations that there had been a wide-scale ban on children. In a video posted to Instagram, they responded, “No, kids are not excluded from our TGVs. Our Optimum offer takes up less than 8% of the space of an INOUI TGV and from Monday to Friday only. Every year, an increasing number of families travel on board our INOUI TGV. Our trains are meant for everyone and we’re sticking to it.”
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SNCF provides dedicated Espace Famille areas in second class on INOUI TGV trains on weekends, school breaks, and public holidays. Infants can travel free of charge in the lap of an adult on all trains, or can reserve a seat with an adult for a flat fee of €9. SNCF also offers significantly reduced fares in both first and second class for children traveling with their parents, and provides services for children traveling on their own.
On certain lines, SNCF offers Espace Kid, a dedicated children’s play area, and on newer OUIGO trains, a Relax area is also available.
Spanish rail operator Renfe goes a step further, prohibiting children under the age of 14 from its “Silent Carriages”, where mobile phone conversations, devices without headphones, and non-essential public announcements are also prohibited. Most other rail operators in Europe do not maintain blanket age bans on their quiet cars, choosing instead to monitor and enforce quiet policies as needed.
Other major European train operators offer children’s spaces on board their trains, but do not prohibit children from any of their fare products. In Switzerland, some trains have play areas, and German ICE trains have special designated family areas in second class.
Sarah El Haïry, a former French government minister delegate for Youth, Childhood, and Family called the move “shocking”. “Traveling with children is not a problem to be fixed, but a reality to be supported,” she told French broadcaster BFM. She also said she had requested a meeting with Jean Castex, current President and Director General of SNCF. El Haïry served as Secretary of State for Youth and the National Universal Service during Castex’s term as French Prime Minister.
El Haïry earlier this year took aim at adults-only resorts in France, saying the exclusion of children was “not part of [French] culture, not our philosophy and not what we want to see as the norm in our country.”
Travelers within France also have other options. On some routes, trains operated by Trenitalia do not have age restrictions on first or second class fares or who can access quiet cars. Air France also flies from Paris to major French cities and offers Business or Economy fares for passengers of all ages.
Many Swiss trains offer quiet cars, which are by default usually free of younger children. We always go in the quiet car when it's available. However, some foreigners (and not just American tourists) ignore the quiet car notices and talk loudly or have phone conversations. However, one warning usually gets them to stop -- or move to another car.