SNCF e-ticket, how does it work?
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3,000 SNCF ticket-punching machines disappear, the end of the SNCF paper ticket?
With the rise of digital train tickets, cardboard tickets are set to disappear, and ticket punching along with them.
For now, though, a distinction must be made between SNCF cardboard tickets with a magnetic strip, known as IATA tickets, and SNCF paper-format tickets, which are actually printed e-tickets.
Today marks the end of cardboard tickets, but not of paper tickets, which are still widely used, confirms the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français.
People who prefer to buy their ticket at an SNCF shop or at a ticket machine will still be able to do so. They will then get a paper ticket with a QR code instead of a cardboard ticket. No need to punch it anymore.
These measures ending the IATA ticket have been in effect since January 1, 2023.
So the ticket-purchasing machines aren't disappearing — only the ticket-punching machines in SNCF stations are.
What is the SNCF e-ticket?
The SNCF e-ticket is a 100% paperless train ticket, accessible directly from your smartphone, tablet or computer.
By definition, it's a digital ticket you can use without needing to print it. It stays with you everywhere, right on your phone.
It's usually linked to a unique SNCF QR Code, which lets ticket inspectors check your ticket's validity on board with a simple scan.
The e-ticket is available for almost all French destinations served by SNCF, including:
- TGV INOUI trains,
- Intercités trains,
- TER (on connecting journeys),
- and OUIGO trains.
The SNCF e-ticket is completely free. It doesn't involve any extra cost, and you get it automatically when booking online, particularly on Tictactrip.
Please note that certain very specific ticket types (for example pet tickets) are not yet eligible for the e-ticket format.
This format also simplifies all the steps involved in your journey: cancellation, exchange or refund are now possible in just a few clicks, depending on the fare conditions.
The e-ticket is personalised: it contains your personal details (surname, first name, date of birth) as well as journey details. This data is stored in the booking system to ensure security and limit fraud.
Generally, the e-ticket takes the form of a PDF file. This document has the same value as a paper ticket. You can either print it or simply show the QR Code from your mobile device.
The benefits of the SNCF e-ticket
At Tictactrip, all tickets are in PDF format, so they're all e-tickets! This format has plenty of advantages:
- 🎟️ No need to collect your ticket at the station: no more queuing at ticket machines or counters.
- 📵 No more punching: checks are done directly with the QR Code.
- 📧 Ticket always accessible: received by email, it can be found in your inbox or in your Tictactrip account.
- 🖨️ Freedom of choice: use it in mobile format or print it if you prefer.
- 🔁 Easy changes: in case of cancellation or exchange, simply contact customer service with your booking number. No more complicated procedures!
The SNCF e-ticket on your phone
In 2025, all your train tickets can be used directly on your smartphone or tablet. The digital format has become the norm, letting you use your e-ticket however you like.
But that's not all: certain features make your experience even smoother.
SNCF Passbook and Wallet
E-tickets can be added to Apple Wallet (iPhone) or Google Wallet on Android. In one click, you can find your ticket, without searching through your emails or opening a specific app.
This format makes accessing your ticket even simpler and speeds up ticket checks. A real time-saver for connected travellers.
SNCF QR Code: how to use it?
Checking your e-ticket relies on a 2D QR Code, scanned by SNCF staff. Here are the steps to follow:
- 📱 Add your ticket to your wallet or save the PDF with the QR Code on your phone.
- 🎫 During the check, simply show the QR Code to the ticket inspector or the dedicated terminal.
- 🚆 And that's it! You're ready to board.
Printing an SNCF e-ticket: still possible
If you prefer paper format, no problem! You can always print your SNCF e-ticket from the PDF file received by email.
Once printed, you just need to show the QR Code as you would on a smartphone. Validation works the same way.
Whatever format you use, your journey remains simple, fast and secure.
FAQ for the SNCF e-ticket company
🆘 I haven't received my SNCF e-ticket, what should I do?
You may sometimes not immediately receive your SNCF train ticket after booking. In most cases, this is simply because the confirmation email has ended up in your SPAM or "junk mail" folder. So remember to check all your mailboxes.
If you still can't find your ticket, you may have entered an incorrect email address when booking. No need to worry: our customer service is available 7 days a week to help you and resend your tickets at no extra cost.
💡 Please note: if you've booked an OUIGO train ticket, be aware that tickets are only sent out 4 days before departure. So it's normal not to have received your email yet if you booked well in advance.
🎟 Do I need to punch an SNCF e-ticket?
Back in the days of cardboard tickets, it was essential to punch your SNCF ticket before boarding. This step served to validate the ticket and prevent any fraudulent reuse.
But today, with the widespread use of the SNCF e-ticket and dematerialised tickets, this step is no longer necessary.
All you now need to do is show the QR Code of your ticket during the onboard check, or scan it at a kiosk only if asked to do so.
In short: you no longer punch your ticket, you scan your e-ticket when required, and you can travel with complete ease.
📲 How do I download my SNCF e-ticket?
Downloading your SNCF ticket can be done very easily, whether you use SNCF Connect or a partner platform like Tictactrip.
👉 If you're using the SNCF Connect website or app, here's how to proceed:
- Go to your personal account and find the ticket in question.
- Click on "View my ticket" (or "View my e-ticket" depending on the version).
- Then select the "Download as PDF" option.
- Open the file and print it if needed, or keep it on your smartphone.
🚀 If you booked your ticket via Tictactrip, the process is just as simple:
- Go to the "My tickets" section (accessible at the top right of our website).
- Log in with your email address and booking number.
- Select the relevant journey from your list of bookings.
- Click on "Download my tickets" to get the PDF file.
💡 You can then use the ticket directly on your phone via the QR Code, or print it if you prefer a paper version.
From the SNCF cardboard ticket to the SNCF e-ticket
Until the early 2010s, only the SNCF paper ticket, also known as the cardboard ticket, was used by travellers.
Bookings were mostly made at the station, at the counter or at a kiosk, and the ticket was issued in physical form, to be punched before boarding to validate its use.
In 2010, SNCF took a new direction by launching the e-ticket: a new, simpler and more modern way to book, and above all, to travel.
Thanks to this new format, purchases could now be made online, and the ticket became accessible directly on a smartphone, in the form of a QR code, or printable at home.
This change did not mean the immediate end of the paper ticket: counters, kiosks and printouts remained available for those who wanted them. The e-ticket was then an alternative, not an obligation.
By 2025, the situation has clearly evolved. Kiosks at stations are becoming rarer, as are physical ticket counters, particularly in rural areas or small stations.
The vast majority of journeys are now booked online, and the e-ticket has become the standard for train travel. A format that's more practical, secure and environmentally friendly.
We are moving towards a future of fully digital rail transport, driven by digital solutions like Tictactrip.
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