Train to your offsite: group tickets in three countries
· By BookWorkations editors
A train is often the most relaxed way to reach an offsite. Nobody has to drive, people can work on the way, and the group arrives together. But each country sells group tickets in its own way, with its own minimum sizes, booking windows and rules. This article explains the basics for France, Belgium and Germany, based on the operators' own pages, and covers luggage and the last stretch from the station.
Group tickets per country
Group offers are different in each country, so check the rules for the country you travel in. The short version, as of November 2026:
France: SNCF
SNCF sells group tickets for 10 to 90 passengers through its group booking site. You create an account, enter the route, the dates and the number of passengers per age group. The offer covers TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS, a selection of TER destinations, and several European services such as TGV Lyria and ALLEO. Group bookings for Eurostar go through Eurostar's own call centre.
A few practical points from the same page:
- The group must be at the station one hour before departure.
- Tickets are sent by email about eleven days before departure. They must be printed, and all group e-tickets are in the name of the group leader.
- A bicycle place cannot be reserved with a group offer.
Belgium: NMBS/SNCB
Belgian group tickets have their own conditions, which change over time. Check the current rules on the NMBS/SNCB website before you book, especially the minimum group size, the booking deadlines and the rules for changes and cancellations.
Germany: Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn offers group tickets. The main options differ in flexibility:
- Super Sparpreis Gruppe and Sparpreis Gruppe include a seat reservation, free of charge. The Super Sparpreis Gruppe cannot be cancelled, except free of charge within three hours of booking. The Sparpreis Gruppe can be cancelled free of charge up to 30 days before travel, and after that for a fee per cancelling person.
- The Gruppenpreis Deutschlandtarif gives 50 percent off the regular Flexpreis on regional trains. Up to 20 people can also buy it at the ticket machine, and it can be booked on bahn.de up to 12 months ahead.
- Groups of 21 or more people on regional trains must register the journey. Check the rule for each offer before you choose.
Luggage: plan it before you pack
Luggage is where train trips for groups often go wrong. Bags that are fine on the platform become a problem when a group has to get on a crowded carriage in a hurry. A few practical points:
- Label every bag with a name and a way to reach the owner. SNCF notes that an unidentified bag left in a station or train can be destroyed for safety reasons.
- Everyone must be able to lift and stow their own luggage in one go. Heavy or awkward items are a poor choice for a train.
- SNCF lists left-luggage lockers and counters in a large number of French stations, which can help when you arrive early or want to drop bags before a session in town.
Cover the last mile
The train is only part of the trip. Many offsite venues sit in the countryside, and the walk or taxi from the station can take longer than the train. Plan this before the group arrives:
- Ask the venue whether it offers a transfer from the station, and what it costs and how many people fit.
- For a group of 15 or more, a minibus or coach is usually easier than several taxis. Book it for the arrival time, not for the departure of the first train.
- Keep the group together from the platform to the car. Share one contact number and one meeting point.
- Check the train times for the return journey in advance, and book the transfer back early.
Make it easy for the group
Appoint one person as the travel lead. This person books, holds the tickets and the group reference, and knows the plan for each leg. A short message with the train times, the platform, the meeting point and the contact number, sent a week before, prevents most of the questions on the day.
Choosing a venue near a station makes the whole plan simpler. You can compare locations on /venues, or look at the offsite formats such as the strategy offsite or the team workation to see what suits your group.