Travellers without a machine on board
You’d like a strong coffee with your meal during the journey. A capsule on its own can’t make one; if your TGV INOUI has a Bistro, the service listed by SNCF Voyageurs is worth checking for your train.
Who are these options for?
Nespresso Original machine users
You can make an espresso before you leave or when you arrive, and are looking for an intense-tasting capsule. Check that it’s compatible with your exact machine model, including any exclusions stated by the brand.
A Modo Mio or Iperespresso system users
You have access to the relevant machine before or after your journey and prefer a short, strong coffee. Lavazza A Modo Mio and illy Iperespresso capsules use different systems, so choosing a compatible machine comes before choosing the intensity.
What should you check before choosing?
First, decide when you’ll make your coffee. If it’s before you leave or when you arrive, check which machine you’ll have access to, then choose your preferred flavour and cup size.
| Priority | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Having coffee on board | Check the services available on your train and where the coffee could be made. | If I want coffee with my meal, a capsule that I can prepare later won’t meet my immediate need. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise a drink available during the journey. |
| Machine compatibility | Identify the machine’s exact system and model; check the capsule product details for any exclusions. | If I’m making my espresso before I leave or when I arrive, I want to be able to use the machine available there. Around 33% of consumers would put compatibility first. |
| Flavour and caffeine | Compare the tasting notes and recommended cup size; don’t use the intensity rating to judge caffeine content. | For a short, strong coffee, I want to choose by flavour without treating the intensity rating as a measure of caffeine. Around 25% of consumers would put this distinction first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Buying capsules to use on the train without a machine
A capsule contains coffee that needs to be extracted; it isn’t a ready-to-drink beverage to have with your meal. The instructions for the Auchan capsules mentioned here say to use them in a machine.
Before you buy, decide whether you’ll make your coffee before you leave or when you arrive. If you want coffee during the journey, check whether a catering service is available on your train instead.
-
Assuming the intensity rating measures caffeine
An intensity rating describes the stated flavour profile, not the amount of caffeine in your cup. ANSES notes that caffeine can, among other things, delay sleep.
Choose a flavour profile to suit your taste, and check the product information if caffeine content matters to you. Decaffeinated products should be labelled as such.
-
Comparing intensity ratings from different brands directly
Lavazza France gives A Modo Mio Intenso a rating of 13/13, illy rates its compatible Intenso capsules 7/9, and Auchan gives one intense espresso product a rating of 10/12. These scales aren’t directly comparable.
First compare machine systems, then look at the flavour descriptions and recommended cup sizes, where provided. Use intensity as a guide within the same range.
-
Relying on an old food and drink menu
The summer 2026 TGV INOUI Bistro menu published by SNCF Voyageurs is valid from 25 June to 7 October 2026. It may not reflect what’s available on another day or another train.
Before planning to have coffee with your meal, check the services listed for your journey and the menu that applies on your travel date.
Brands to consider for your machine
These products give you examples of formats and flavour profiles to compare if you’re making coffee before or after your journey. The brand name doesn’t replace the need to check your machine’s system.
Lavazza
The A Modo Mio range includes an Intenso product designed for the A Modo Mio system. Other Lavazza capsules are labelled as compatible with Nespresso Original. Choose according to the machine you have access to.
- Lavazza France gives A Modo Mio Intenso an intensity rating of 13/13, with notes of cocoa and spices and a recommended cup size of 25 to 35 ml.
- Don’t choose an A Modo Mio capsule for a different system just because it’s called Intenso.
illy
illy offers an Intenso capsule compatible with some Nespresso Original machines, as well as an Intenso product for its own Iperespresso system.
- illy gives its compatible Intenso capsule an intensity rating of 7/9, with notes of cocoa and dried fruit and a recommended cup size of 25 to 40 ml.
- Iperespresso capsules are for illy Iperespresso machines only. For the Nespresso Original-compatible product, check whether your machine model is excluded.
Carte Noire
Carrefour lists Espresso Intense No. 9 as a Carte Noire capsule compatible with Nespresso.
- Carrefour’s product details describe a box of 10 aluminium capsules containing 100% ground Arabica coffee.
- Check that it’s compatible with your machine. On its own, this capsule can’t make coffee on the train.
Carrefour
Carrefour’s range of Nespresso-compatible capsules includes Espresso Forte and Profondo, which may be worth considering if you have a suitable machine.
- Carrefour’s category page lists Espresso Forte with an intensity rating of 9 and Profondo with a rating of 10, in packs of 10 or 40 capsules.
- These ratings distinguish the stated flavour profiles; they don’t measure caffeine or guarantee that you’ll like the taste.
Plantation (Marque Repère / E.Leclerc)
Plantation offers products such as espresso forte capsules. Check the exact format before choosing them for your machine.
- E.Leclerc’s product details describe 10 aluminium capsules containing roasted and ground Arabica coffee.
- The product details consulted state that this product isn’t sold on the E.Leclerc website. Check with the relevant store to see whether you can buy it there.
Auchan
Auchan offers intense espresso capsules compatible with Nespresso. Consider them if you’ve confirmed they’ll work with your machine.
- One Auchan product listing gives an intensity rating of 10/12 and a pack size of 20 capsules; another lists a pack of 50.
- The recommended preparation is espresso or a small cup. The capsules need a machine and won’t give you ready-to-drink coffee on board.
Capsules for making coffee before or after your journey
These Joybuy capsules are for making espresso before you leave or when you arrive, using a machine that matches the system specified for each product. To have coffee with your meal on the train, you’ll need a way to make it on board or to choose a drink served during the journey.
Image unavailable
GIMOKA INTENSO capsules compatible with Nespresso, 100 capsules, 550 g
Worth considering for making an intense espresso before or after your journey, if your machine accepts these Nespresso-compatible capsules.
Box of 100 capsules, 550 g. Check your machine model before buying.
Image unavailable
Lavazza A Modo Mio Intenso, 16 capsules
For making a strong espresso if you have access to a Lavazza A Modo Mio machine before you leave or when you arrive.
Box of 16 capsules. The A Modo Mio system must match the machine you’re using.
Image unavailable
GIMOKA Espresso Intenso capsules compatible with Dolce Gusto, 30 capsules, 210 g
For making coffee before or after your journey with a Dolce Gusto-compatible machine, rather than for drinking on board without a machine.
Box of 30 capsules, 210 g. Check that the machine you’ll have access to is compatible.
Image unavailable
Lavazza Intenso capsules compatible with Nespresso, 10 capsules
For making an espresso with an Intenso flavour profile using a Nespresso Original machine before you leave or when you arrive.
Box of 10 capsules. Check compatibility with your exact machine model.
Image unavailable
KIMBO capsules compatible with Nespresso, intensity 10/13, 100 capsules, 540 g
Worth considering for making coffee before or after your journey if you have a compatible Nespresso Original machine.
Box of 100 capsules, 540 g. The stated intensity of 10/13 doesn’t indicate the caffeine content.
Frequently asked questions
Are capsules enough to enjoy an espresso with a meal on the train?
No. You need a compatible machine to make espresso from capsules. If there isn’t one on board, make your coffee before you leave or check whether catering is available on your train.
Does an intensity rating of 10, 12 or 13 mean there’s more caffeine?
No, the intensity rating doesn’t measure caffeine content. For a strong cup, also consider the flavour description and recommended cup size. If caffeine is a key consideration for you, check the product-specific information.
Will all capsules labelled as Nespresso-compatible work with my machine?
No. A general compatibility label doesn’t mean you can skip checking the exact system and model. The illy Intenso product details, for example, list exclusions for certain models. Check the capsule information before buying.
Can I rely on the Bistro to get coffee with my meal?
SNCF Voyageurs lists the Bistro on selected TGV INOUI services, but don’t assume your train has this service or offers the same menu as another route. Check the services and menu for your journey before you set off.