How to get around France
Navigating France is straightforward with a variety of public and private transport options. Here's what you need to know about getting between and within its cities and towns.
Inter-City Travel
Travelling across France offers several options, with varying costs and speeds. High-speed trains, primarily operated by SNCF under brands like TGV Inoui and low-cost Ouigo, provide fast connections between major cities.
For example, a journey from Paris to Marseille can range from €10 to €116, while Paris to Nice might cost €19 to €141. Booking in advance generally secures lower fares, with Ouigo offering adult tickets from €16 and children's tickets from €5 or €8. Standard second-class train fares are approximately €2.30 per 10 kilometers.
Coach services, mainly provided by FlixBus and BlaBlaBus, are a more economical choice compared to trains, though journeys typically take longer. Prices can start from around €3.42 for shorter intercity routes.
Carpooling, notably through BlaBlaCar, offers a flexible and often very cheap alternative for longer distances, with prices determined by the driver and journey.
Domestic flights are the fastest for very long distances but can be more expensive, with a one-way flight from Marseille to Paris Orly costing around $91. Note that France has banned domestic flights for routes with train alternatives under two and a half hours.
Travel Within Cities
Within French cities, public transport networks are efficient and budget-friendly. In Paris, a single Metro, Bus, or RER ticket (Ticket t+) costs €2.50, and a pack of 10 tickets is €17.35. A Navigo Jour 1-day pass is €12 for all Île-de-France zones, excluding airports.
In Lyon, a single public transport ticket costs €1.90, or €2.20 if purchased directly on the bus. A 10-ticket booklet is €18, and a 24-hour ticket is €6.
Nice offers single tram or bus tickets for €1.70. A 10-journey ticket costs €10, while a 1-day pass is €7 and a 7-day pass costs €20. Travel from Nice airport to the city center by tram is €10 for a round-trip ticket, but you can pay standard city fares by walking to the first stop outside the airport.
Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber offer convenience at a higher price. In Paris, a typical taxi ride has a minimum fare of €8, with a mileage rate starting around €1.22 per kilometer during the day. A 5 km taxi ride in Paris averages around €11.
Flat rates apply for airport transfers, such as €56 from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Right Bank of Paris. Uber rides in Paris for a 15-minute trip typically cost between €12 and €20, and from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the city center, it can range from €55 to €75, with prices fixed upfront.
