Ouigo PARIS-TOULOUSE

BACK GROUND  Ouigo is a low-cost train operator run by the French state-owned SNCF. It serves more than 50 destinations in France, with Lille as its northernmost point and Marseille in the south.

- Hannah Brandler

Fares range from €10 to €115. The fare structure is cheap for various reasons. Tickets are non-refundable, there is no F&B service and you have to pay extra for luggage, wifi and seat choice. There is also only one class of travel.

‘Ouigo Essentiel’ includes a handbag or backpack (36 x 27 x 15cm) and a bag (55 x 35 x 25cm) under the seat. ‘Ouigo Plus’ adds to this a cabin bag, seat choice, free wifi and speedy boarding from Paris rail stations.

Ouigo Essentiel customers can also buy extras such as a bag (€5), seat choice (€3-7) or wifi (€3).

The majority of routes are high-speed, while others (known as ‘Ouigo Classic’) travel at 160km/h. Note that this service only operates at proper high-speed (around 186 mph) between Paris and Bordeaux. For the final 138 miles, trains operate on the classic line where speeds are rather less.

This is a review of the service from Paris Montparnasse, located in the south of the French capital, to Toulouse Matabiau. My train was set to depart at 0911 and arrive in Toulouse at 1331.