Trenitalia boosts competition in France’s high-speed rail market as it introduced a new line connecting Paris to Marseille.
Present in France since 2011 under the brand Thello and rebranded as Trenitalia in 2021, the Italian railway operator has been challenging the French national railway company SNCF with high-speed service between Paris and Milan via Lyon, Chambéry, and Turin.
Since June 15, Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa trains are running four times daily between Paris-Gare de Lyon and Marseille-Saint-Charles. The train stops at Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, Avignon TGV, and Aix-en-Provence TGV. The journey time is slightly longer than with SNCF high-speed trains, by an average of 20 to 30 minutes.
Trenitalia France aims to achieve a 60% load factor in its first year of operation. To attract passengers, it is offering very competitive pricing. Standard one-way fares start at just €27 (US$31), undercutting its main competitor.
Looking ahead, Trenitalia France has broader ambitions. The company is exploring future routes, including a potential Marseille–Milan connection, as well as a Paris–London service targeted for launch by 2030.
