SNCF Baggage Policy: Rules, Size Limits & Fees for 2026 

On TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains, SNCF allows up to 2 suitcases (max 70×90×50 cm) plus 1 hand luggage (max 40×30×15 cm) per passenger. All bags must be labeled. Fines range from €50 to €150 per non-compliant item. Rules vary by train type OUIGO, TER, and Eurostar each have different limits.

Millions of passengers board SNCF trains every year and a surprising number of them arrive at the platform with luggage that doesn’t comply with the rules. Since September 16, 2024, SNCF has been strictly enforcing its baggage regulations with on-the-spot fines. That’s a significant change from the relaxed approach travelers were used to.

What Is the SNCF Luggage Allowance for Each Train Type?

SNCF’s baggage allowance depends entirely on which service you’re traveling on. The rules for a TGV INOUI are stricter than those for a TER regional train, and OUIGO SNCF’s budget service has its own separate structure. The table below provides a quick comparison.

TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS are the services most travelers encounter, and these carry the strictest limits. Each passenger may bring either:

• 2 suitcases + 1 hand luggage, or
• 1 suitcase + 1 special item + 1 hand luggage

One rule applies across all options: you must be able to carry everything yourself, in a single trip, without assistance. If you can’t physically manage it alone, SNCF staff are not obligated to help.

What Are the SNCF Luggage Size Requirements?

SNCF luggage size requirements set clear maximum dimensions for each bag category. For TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS, the limits are:

• Standard suitcase: maximum 70 cm × 90 cm × 50 cm
• Hand luggage: maximum 40 cm × 30 cm × 15 cm
• Special item (folded bike, musical instrument, scooter, foldable wheelchair): maximum 90 cm × 130 cm × 50 cm

These measurements are strict not guidelines. A suitcase that’s 91 cm in one dimension technically falls outside the permitted range. There is no weight limit on standard luggage for TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS, which is one area where rail travel outperforms most airlines.

OUIGO, however, limits additional luggage to a maximum weight of 30 kg and maximum dimensions of 130×90×50 cm.

TER trains impose no size restrictions at all. Luggage simply has to fit in the designated spaces and must not pose a hazard to other passengers or staff.

What Are the Fines for Violating SNCF Luggage Rules?

Since September 16, 2024, SNCF has enforced non-compliance fines on TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS services. The fine structure scales with the number of non-compliant items:

These fines are issued by train captains and boarding agents on the spot. There is no grace period or warning system. The simplest way to avoid them: measure your bags before you leave.

A practical scenario: A passenger traveling with two oversized suitcases (both exceeding 70×90×50 cm) and a standard hand luggage would face a €100 fine one for each non-compliant suitcase.

Does SNCF Have a Baggage Service?

Yes. SNCF offers the “Mes Bagages” service a door-to-door luggage delivery option that collects your bags directly from your home (or a designated relay point) and delivers them to your destination before you arrive. This service starts at €55 per item and is bookable via SNCF Connect.

Holders of the SNCF Senior Advantage Card and subscribers to the SNCF Connect newsletter are eligible for discounts on this service.

Station lockers are also available at major French stations, including Paris-Nord, Paris-Gare de Lyon, Paris-Montparnasse, Lyon Part-Dieu, Marseille Saint-Charles, Strasbourg, Bordeaux St-Jean, and Lille Europe. Locker fees range from €5.50 to €9.50 per day, with a maximum storage period of 72 hours. Partner storage services are available near Paris Saint-Lazare, Montpellier Saint-Roch, and Toulouse Matabiau.

How to Label Luggage for SNCF?

SNCF requires all luggage to be labeled with the passenger’s full contact details. Unlabeled bags are a problem if lost SNCF may destroy unidentified baggage found on trains or at stations. Labeling gives you a realistic chance of getting your belongings back.

Your label must include:

• Surname and first name
• Postal address
• Phone number and/or email address

There is no official SNCF luggage tag format a standard luggage label or a handwritten tag fastened securely to your bag is acceptable. For added safety, place a second label inside each bag. If you’re traveling on CFF (Swiss) trains as part of a cross-border journey, a downloadable luggage tag is available from the SBB website.

Important: Failing to label luggage can result in fines ranging from €150 to €750, according to French rail enforcement guidelines, separate from the standard excess luggage penalties.

What Special Items Are Allowed on SNCF Trains?

Special items are permitted on TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains, but they count as your one special baggage allowance and must meet specific rules:

A few edge cases worth knowing:

• Double bass is the only bulky musical instrument permitted on TGV Lyria trains. It must be in a soft case (max 1.95 m), tagged, and the musician must report to the train manager before boarding.
• Electric scooters are permitted but charging their batteries on board TGV INOUI is strictly prohibited and carries a €150 fine.
• Skis are unique in that they have no maximum dimension limit on TGV INOUI, but you are limited to one pair per person.

What Are the SNCF Pet Travel Rules and Costs?

Pets are permitted on SNCF trains with a paid ticket. The fare depends on how your pet travels and which service you’re on.

TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS (daytime), applicable from January 2, 2026:

• Small pet in a carrier (max 45×30×25 cm): €10 per journey
• Dog on a lead (must be muzzled throughout): €10 per journey
• Guide or assistance dogs: Free, no ticket required
• Up to 2 animals per passenger are permitted

INTERCITÉS night trains:

• Pets in seated areas: €19
• Pets in private compartments: Free
• Pets in couchette cars: Not permitted

OUIGO trains: €10 per pet, regardless of size or weight.

If you forget to buy a pet ticket: Purchasing one from the train manager before ticket inspection costs €20. After inspection, the fee rises to €35.

For international journeys (e.g., to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain, or Belgium), the fare is typically €10 for a pet in a carrier and €20 for a dog on a lead. Pets traveling to the UK on Eurostar are not permitted, with the exception of guide dogs.

How Does SNCF’s Baggage Policy Compare to OUIGO’s?

OUIGO operates under separate rules from TGV INOUI, and the differences are significant enough to catch travelers off guard.

With a standard OUIGO ticket, you’re entitled to:

• 1 cabin bag (max 55×35×25 cm)
• 1 hand luggage (max 40×30×15 cm)

Any additional or bulky item (up to 130×90×50 cm and max 30 kg) costs €5 if added online in advance, or €20 if you show up at the station without having pre-purchased it. That €15 difference is worth planning around.

OUIGO does not charge a different rate for non-compliant luggage the same way TGV INOUI does instead, the model is based on pre-purchasing extra luggage options.

How to Prepare Your Luggage Before an SNCF Journey

A few practical steps before your travel date can save you from a fine or a stressful platform experience:

• Measure your bags with a tape measure. The 70×90×50 cm limit for TGV INOUI suitcases is smaller than many large-format trolley bags. Check the specific dimensions of your luggage before assuming it qualifies.
• Label every bag. Include your name, address, and phone number. Place a second label inside each bag as a backup.
• Test the carry test. You must be able to lift and carry all your luggage simultaneously. If you can’t do it in one trip, it’s too much.
• Pre-purchase OUIGO extras. If you know you need an additional bag on OUIGO, add it at booking not at the station.
• Consider Mes Bagages for heavy or oversized items. Starting at €55, the delivery service is worth considering for ski trips, long stays, or family travel.
• Store luggage correctly on board. Hand luggage goes at your feet, under the seat, or in the overhead rack. Larger bags go in the spaces at carriage entrances. Scooters and pushchairs must never go in overhead racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum suitcase size on SNCF TGV trains?
The maximum suitcase size on TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains is 70 cm × 90 cm × 50 cm. Each passenger may bring up to two suitcases of this size, plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 cm × 30 cm × 15 cm.

When did SNCF start enforcing baggage fines?
SNCF began strictly enforcing its baggage regulations on September 16, 2024. Fines are issued by train captains and boarding agents and range from €50 to €150 depending on the number of non-compliant items.

Is there a weight limit for luggage on TGV INOUI trains?
No. TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains do not impose a weight limit on standard luggage. The only restriction is size. OUIGO, however, limits additional baggage to 30 kg.

What happens if my luggage is not labeled on SNCF?
Unlabeled luggage may be destroyed by SNCF if found abandoned at a station or on a train. Failure to label bags can also result in fines ranging from €150 to €750, separate from any excess luggage penalties.

How much does the SNCF Mes Bagages delivery service cost?
Mes Bagages starts at €55 per item and collects luggage from your home or a relay point, delivering it directly to your destination. Discounts are available for Senior Advantage Card holders and SNCF Connect newsletter subscribers.

Can I take a bicycle on a TGV INOUI train?
Yes, but it must be folded or have its wheels removed and be stored in a labeled cover measuring no more than 90×130×50 cm. It counts as your one special item allowance.

What is the pet fare on SNCF trains in 2026?
From January 2, 2026, the standard pet fare on TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS daytime trains is €10 per journey, whether your pet is in a carrier or a dog on a lead. OUIGO also charges €10, regardless of animal size.

What are the OUIGO luggage rules for extra bags?
OUIGO includes one cabin bag (55×35×25 cm) and one hand luggage (40×30×15 cm) per ticket. An additional or bulky item costs €5 if added online before departure, or €20 if purchased at the station on the day.

Are there any items completely prohibited on SNCF trains?
Yes. Hazardous materials, dangerous items, items intended for commercial trade, and non-compliant battery-powered mobility devices are prohibited. Charging motorized personal mobility device batteries on TGV INOUI is also banned and carries a €150 fine.

Do TER regional trains have luggage size limits?
No. TER trains do not impose any size restrictions on luggage. Bags simply need to fit in the spaces provided on board and must not present a danger to other passengers or staff.