Train tickets in France are discounted, but only until Saturday, July 15.
It’s one of Minister of Transport Clément Beaune’s initiatives to make travel cheaper during the summer holidays, with 200 000 Intercités train tickets being sold for €19 (R395).
The Intercités rail network is mainly around Paris but also has routes to Nantes, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Marseille.
According to euronews.com, the tickets, normally sold for up to €35 (R726) during the summer holidays, are valid until August 31.
The discounts have been financed by the French state, to assist travellers with their travel costs during the holiday season. This follows similar discounts for Spanish and German railway tickets implemented earlier this year.
Germany introduced €49 (R1 016) monthly train passes and €9,90 (R205) short-distance tickets this year.
Spain too, has discounted prices of Interrail tickets for young adults under 30 until September 15.
Also in Spain, public rail transport provider, Renfe, has extended its offer of free rail travel, which was due to end earlier this year, up to December. Travellers may acquire free medium-haul train passes for a deposit of €10 (R201) for commuter trains or €20 (R203) for medium-distance trains.
