Direct city flights are banned because the train takes under 2h30. Fastest train 2h02 (Paris-Montparnasse → Bordeaux Saint-Jean), 24-33 trains/day. 3.5 g CO₂e per passenger-km by train vs 125 g by plane. Checked 2026-11-01.
The comparison
| Fastest train | 2h02Paris-Montparnasse → Bordeaux Saint-Jean |
|---|---|
| Trains | 24-33 trains/day (SNCF Connect, varies by page/date)SNCF TGV INOUI, OUIGO |
| Flight | – |
| Door to door | Direct city flights are banned because the train takes under 2h30 |
| CO₂ | 3.5 g CO₂e per passenger-km by train vs 125 g by planegCO2e per passenger-km incl. use, manufacturing and maintenance. Train = SNCF TGV average (TGV INOUI/OUIGO in France, 2024 values); plane = ADEME Base Empreinte short-haul 500-1000 km without contrails. SNCF's headline France comparison. Same SNCF document gives 161 g total for f |
| Air & rail | Air France 'Train + Air' from Bordeaux Saint-Jean to Paris-CDG (Flying Blue Miles + XP). |
| Points | Flying Blue Miles → SNCF Voyageurs vouchers (EUR 25-100) on TGV INOUI. |
Added (not in original list): Bordeaux-Paris Orly flights are on France's 'train under 2h30' ban list (summer 2026). CDG-Bordeaux flights remain because rail to the CDG station takes ~3h30.
Questions
Is the train faster than flying from Paris to Bordeaux?
Direct city flights are banned because the train takes under 2h30. The fastest train takes 2h02 city centre to city centre.
How often do trains run from Paris to Bordeaux?
24-33 trains/day (SNCF Connect, varies by page/date)
Can I earn or use points on this train?
Flying Blue Miles → SNCF Voyageurs vouchers (EUR 25-100) on TGV INOUI.
Can I book the train with an airline?
Air France 'Train + Air' from Bordeaux Saint-Jean to Paris-CDG (Flying Blue Miles + XP).
Which emits less, train or plane?
3.5 g CO₂e per passenger-km by train vs 125 g by plane.
Sources: sncf-connect.com, sncf-connect.com, ecologie.gouv.fr, eur-lex.europa.eu, wwws.airfrance.us, sncf-voyageurs.com
Points or cash, or the train?
Tell Points or Cash where you are going. On short European trips it checks whether the train beats the flight before you spend a point.
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