SNCF
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1937
- HeadquartersSaint-denis, France
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
SNCF firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SNCF
- Legal name
- Groupe SNCF
- Website
- https://sncf.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1937
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SNCF industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rail Transport Services
- NAICS
- Rail Transportation (48211), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)
- SIC
- Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cross-Border/International Passenger Rail Operators (TLAFADAE)
Keywords
Where SNCF is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint-denis
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
SNCF business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Passenger Rail Services: SNCF generates primary revenue from passenger rail services including TGV INOUI (premium high-speed), Ouigo (low-cost high-speed), and TER regional services. Revenue from ticket sales across domestic and international routes represents the core business. The company reported €43 billion in revenue in 2025.
- Rail Freight Operations: Rail Logistics Europe operates freight services under brands including Hexafret, Captrain, Forwardis, and Captrain IT. The unit employs about 9,500 people and operates across 10 countries, with potential stake sale valued at up to €800 million.
- Logistics and Supply Chain (Geodis): Geodis, the logistics subsidiary, provides freight forwarding, supply chain optimization, and contract logistics services globally. The company recently completed acquisition of Malherbe and is pursuing acquisition of Deret group to expand market position in France.
- Real Estate and Station Management: ICF Habitat La Sablière, an SNCF subsidiary, develops housing projects including social housing and inclusive housing for seniors, with investments of €12.8 million in new residences at Deuil-la-Barre.
- Renewable Energy (SNCF Énergie): SNCF Énergie procures renewable energy through Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) with providers including BayWa r.e. and Octopus Energy Generation for French rail operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Low-cost high-speed service targeting price-sensitive travelers |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Premium business class on Paris-Lyon line with exclusive perks |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | High-speed service between Bordeaux and Lyon launching by 2027 |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
SNCF product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SNCF operates France's national railway network providing passenger rail services (TGV INOUI premium high-speed, Ouigo low-cost high-speed, TER regional express, Eurostar international), freight logistics through Rail Logistics Europe and Geodis, station management via Gares & Connexions, and international public transport operations through Keolis across 120 countries. The company generates €43 billion in revenue from ticketing, freight forwarding, contract logistics, and station commercial activities.
Product overview
SNCF operates as a diversified rail and logistics group with multiple subsidiaries serving passenger transport, freight logistics, and station management. Passenger rail services include TGV INOUI (premium high-speed), Ouigo (low-cost high-speed), and TER (regional express). International operations include Eurostar (Channel Tunnel) and planned expansion to Italy. Freight and logistics are handled through Rail Logistics Europe (with brands Forwardis, Captrain, Hexafret), Geodis (global logistics), and Keolis (international transport operations including buses and metros). Station management via Gares & Connexions incorporates digital twin technology for operational optimization. Innovation initiatives include solar track technology with Sun-Ways and AI-powered station management platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TGV INOUI: Premium high-speed rail service on major French routes
- Ouigo
- Eurostar
- Sun-Ways Partnership
- SNCF Gares&Connexions
Products and services
- TGV INOUI SNCF's flagship premium high-speed rail service connecting major French cities and international destinations with premium onboard amenities and services.
- Ouigo SNCF's low-cost high-speed train service offering budget-friendly travel on TGV routes across France with tickets starting from €19. Expanded to new destinations in 2026.
- TER (Transport Express Régional) Regional express trains operated by SNCF connecting towns and cities within French regions, serving as essential local public transport.
- Eurostar High-speed rail service linking London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and other European cities via the Channel Tunnel, in which SNCF holds ownership stake.
- Geodis Logistics Services Global logistics provider owned by SNCF offering freight forwarding, supply chain optimization, and contract logistics services worldwide. Recently completed acquisition of Malherbe and pursuing Deret group acquisition.
- Keolis Public Transport SNCF-owned (jointly controlled) public transport operator running buses, metros, trams, and rail services in France and internationally, operating in 120 countries.
- Rail Logistics Europe Freight Services SNCF's rail freight holding company employing about 9,500 people across 10 countries and operating brands including Hexafret, Captrain, and Forwardis.
- Forwardis Rail Freight Solutions International rail freight solutions brand under Rail Logistics Europe, specializing in cross-border transport solutions. Won major contract with Scandfibre Logistics for ~12,000 wagons/year between Sweden and continental Europe.
- Captrain Rail Logistics Rail freight brand under Rail Logistics Europe offering rail logistics solutions across Europe.
- Hexafret Rail Freight French rail freight brand under Rail Logistics Europe operating in the domestic and international freight market.
- Train des Neiges (Ski Train Services) Specialized TGV service for injured skiers during February-March holidays, featuring first-class carriages with extra space, boarding assistance, direct routes, and onboard nurses. Partnership with Europ Assistance and Mondial Assistance.
- Optimum Plus Business Class Business class ticket product on Paris-Lyon line with exclusive perks including wider seats and lounge access targeting business travelers.
Quantifiable outcome
- €43 billion in revenue (2025)
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use SNCF
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SNCF technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability9 records
Feature5 records
SNCF partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.
- European SleeperminorEuropean Sleeper, a Dutch-Belgian cooperative, restarted Paris-Berlin night train service in March 2026, filling the gap left when SNCF discontinued its NightJet services. The community-funded operator takes a different route via Brussels with unsubsidized service.
- NVIDIAmajorNVIDIA technologies (Omniverse and Metropolis) integrated into Akila's digital twin platform for SNCF Gares&Connexions station operations optimization, enabling real-time simulation and monitoring.
- AkilamajorAkila, a digital twin and AI platform company, enables SNCF Gares&Connexions to optimize train station operations using real-time digital twin simulations integrated with NVIDIA Omniverse and Metropolis technologies. Implementation aggregates thousands of live camera feeds, sensor data, and building management systems for centralized monitoring.
- TelestemajorFinnish technology company Teleste selected as supplier for four-year renovation program to upgrade passenger information displays across France's railway network. Teleste will deliver new generation outdoor TFT LCD information displays integrated with SNCF's existing systems for real-time travel information.
- Trainline Partner Solutions and Swile TravelmajorStrategic partnership expansion with Trainline Partner Solutions and Swile Travel to include additional rail carriers in Italy and Spain, facilitating corporate rail travel across Europe with integrated booking systems.
- Emirates SkywardsminorEmirates Skywards loyalty program launched Skywards Rail service allowing members to redeem miles for train journeys across Europe, covering over 12,000 destinations in 12 countries through operators including Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn, and SNCF.
- Sun-WayscoreSNCF partnered with Swiss startup Sun-Ways to test the world's first removable solar power plant installed on active railway tracks. The pilot project uses 48 solar panels (380W each) across 100 meters of track in Switzerland, generating 18 kW peak capacity. By 2030, SNCF aims to install solar across 1,000 hectares of rail property to cover 15-20% of its electricity needs.
- BayWa r.e. and Octopus Energy GenerationcoreSNCF Énergie signed green Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) with BayWa r.e. and Octopus Energy Generation to supply renewable energy for French rail operations, supporting sustainability targets.
- OTIVminorOTIV, a Ghent-based railway automation scale-up, is working with SNCF on developing autonomous train technology through a multi-stage roadmap including driver assistance, remote control, and supervised autonomy.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SNCF competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Keolis: SNCF's jointly-controlled public transport subsidiary operating buses, metros, and trams in 120 countries. Comparable as an international rail-adjacent operator with SNCF economics but operating under a different (transit-focused) business model.
Direct peers
- Transdev: French-headquartered private public transport operator that recently won the first French regional rail contract from SNCF. Competes with Keolis (SNCF's own subsidiary) and directly threatens SNCF's regional tendering moat as a private-sector rival.
- Trenitalia: Italy's national rail operator and the incumbent competitor to SNCF's planned 2027 Italian high-speed expansion. Operates comparable Frecciarossa high-speed services and competes directly with SNCF on premium intercity routes.
- DB Schenker: Deutsche Bahn's freight forwarding and logistics subsidiary, directly comparable to SNCF's Geodis. Operates globally with contract logistics, freight forwarding, and supply chain services competing head-to-head with Geodis.
- Deutsche Bahn: Germany's national railway operator and one of SNCF's closest competitors in European rail. Directly comparable as a state-owned integrated passenger and freight rail group with cross-border ambitions and similar challenges from climate and EU regulation.
- Eurostar Group: High-speed Channel Tunnel operator partially owned by SNCF itself. Directly comparable as a cross-border European high-speed rail operator using compatible rolling stock (Avelia Horizon). SNCF's stake in Eurostar makes it both peer and parent.
- Renfe: Spain's national rail operator running high-speed AVE services and freight operations. Directly comparable as a European state-owned rail incumbent operating premium high-speed services and competing for cross-border international services.
Broad incumbents
- DHL Group: Global logistics and freight forwarding conglomerate with rail-adjacent supply chain services. Comparable to Geodis as a broad logistics incumbent with global coverage, multimodal capabilities, and enterprise customer segments.
- Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders, comparable to Geodis as a global logistics incumbent. Operates across road, sea, air, and contract logistics with overlapping customer segments in supply chain management.
Emerging players
- DSV: Global freight forwarding and logistics company built through aggressive M&A. Comparable to Geodis as a competing global 3PL with similar contract logistics, freight forwarding, and pan-European coverage ambitions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SNCF social profiles
Digital presenceSNCF compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
SNCF financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SNCF leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
SNCF subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries9 records
SNCF funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SNCF M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments9 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SNCF
What does SNCF do?
SNCF operates France's national railway network providing passenger rail services (TGV INOUI premium high-speed, Ouigo low-cost high-speed, TER regional express, Eurostar international), freight logistics through Rail Logistics Europe and Geodis, station management via Gares & Connexions, and international public transport operations through Keolis across 120 countries. The company generates €43 billion in revenue from ticketing, freight forwarding, contract logistics, and station commercial activities.
Is SNCF a public or private company?
SNCF is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was SNCF founded?
SNCF was founded in 1937. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is SNCF based?
SNCF is headquartered in Saint-denis, France, in the Europe region.
How does SNCF make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Passenger Rail Services are the primary driver. The others are rail Freight Operations, logistics and Supply Chain (Geodis), real Estate and Station Management and renewable Energy (SNCF Énergie).
Who are SNCF's main competitors?
Keolis is listed as an others. Direct peers are Transdev, Trenitalia, DB Schenker, Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar Group and Renfe. Broad incumbents are DHL Group and Kuehne+Nagel. DSV is listed as an emerging player.
Does SNCF have an API?
No public API is recorded for SNCF.
What industry is SNCF in?
SNCF's product category is Rail Transport Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFADAE, Cross-Border/International Passenger Rail Operators. Its NAICS code is 48211 and its SIC code is 4011.