A Practical Guide to Getting Around in France

There are four main ways to get around France: trains, cars, buses, and planes. The best transportation method for you will depend on the places in France you’re visiting, your budget, and your timeframe. This guide to getting around France will help you choose which way of traveling makes the most sense for you. 

I’ve lived in Paris, France for ten years. I’ve traveled around the country using all of these modes of transportation. In this article, I’ll explain the benefits, drawbacks, and price of each. Then, you can book the best transport for your trip. 

Be sure to read to the end of the article to find out what my top tips for France travel are! Save yourself money and time with my local travel advice. 

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4 Ways to Get Around in France

The most popular transportation methods in France are trains, cars, buses, and planes. The best one for your trip depends on your budget and preferences. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of each way to get around France. 

Trains

🚆 Best for: Saving time, comfort 
💵 Cost: $$-$$$
👉 Where to Book: SNCF

Train travel is the best way to travel in France, particularly if you’re going between major French cities. I’ve taken dozens of trains in France. They’ve all been clean and speedy. The efficient trains get even better when you’re taking a TGV (train à grand vitesse, or high-speed train). TGV trains can shave hours off of a trip. 

Train tickets are easy to book in advance on the website of the French National Railroad, which also has an English version. It’s a popular way of traveling and is partially government-subsidized. This makes prices reasonable. 

The drawback of trains in France is their availability in more distant locations. I’ve used trains to travel to small French towns in the Loire Valley and Normandy, then had difficulty getting the rest of the way to my destination. Driving can be a better choice for those with disabilities for this reason. Trains themselves, however, are fairly accessible. 

Pros of Trains: 

• Reasonably priced 
• Comfortable and clean
• Extensive railway network
• Faster than driving for most locations

Cons of Trains: 

• Difficult in more remote locations
• Rail workers can strike
• Last-minute trips may be expensive

👉 Pro Tip: Book trains as early as possible. Prices go up according to how many people have purchased tickets, so you’re likely to pay a lot more for a last-minute ticket.

Cars

🚗 Best for: Freedom to explore; remote and rural areas
💵 Cost: $$$
👉 Where to Book: Discover Cars

I’ve tried getting around the French countryside without a car and honestly wouldn’t recommend it. Driving is a much better way to explore the rural parts of the country.

Moreover, driving in France is generally good. It has extensive highways, good roads, and clear signs. 

American licenses are valid for 90 days. If you have a residence permit, this extends to a year. EU licenses and UK licenses from before 2021 are valid in France. 

You will need to get your license translated and the translation notarized if it is not in French. Get these done within three months of your trip. Alternatively, get an international driver’s license. This is generally easier and cheaper if you plan to rent a car in France. 

Car rentals in France are best booked in advance. Try to rent one outside of Paris to avoid high fees and traffic. Driving in Paris can be tricky—I once got stuck going around the Arc de Triomphe for half an hour! A rental car comes with unlimited third-party liability insurance. Nevertheless, additional insurance policies are a good idea.  

Pros of Cars: 

• Your best bet for smaller towns
• You can see the beautiful country at your speed
• Easier for travelers with disabilities

Cons of Cars: 

• Gas is expensive
• Manual transmissions are far easier to find than automatic
• Road rules are different than in other countries, notably non-EU countries
• Difficult to use in major cities
• Helplines and roadside assistance may not speak English 

Buses

🚍 Best for: Saving money
💵 Cost: $
👉 Where to Book: Rome2Rio

Buses provide some of the best deals when traveling in France. A train from Paris to Biarritz costs around $130, while a bus costs around half of that. However, buses are best for shorter journeys unless you have time to spare. Buses are particularly good within cities, though. Paris buses are especially quick and can be scenic, as well. 

Reliability is the major issue with French buses, particularly in rural areas. Plan on using other transport methods at night, when buses may not run or take a long time to come. Look up information on transportation strikes before taking a bus. 

Pros of Buses: 

• Inexpensive
• Great for scenic trips
• Environmentally friendly

Cons of Buses: 

• Can be slow/take a long time to come
• Not reliable at night
• Drivers may not speak English 
• Stops may be hard to find

Planes

✈️ Best for: Longer trips
💵 Cost: $$$$
👉 Where to Book: Kayak

France is a large country (at least, by European standards). Consider flying for long-haul trips. For example, driving from Paris to Nice on the Côte d’Azur takes nine hours. The train takes just as long, with two transfers. But the trip is only 90 minutes by plane. 

Air France operates many flights between major French cities. You can find other budget airlines going to airports outside of Paris, as well. Keep in mind that any flight out of Paris Beauvais (where many local flights depart and arrive) requires extra travel time. The airport is more than an hour outside the city.  

Pros of Flying: 

• Fastest travel method
• Reasonably priced if booked well in advance
• Convenient in most regions of France

Cons of Flying: 

• Relatively expensive for last-minute trips
• Airports can get crowded, particularly in peak periods
• Passport and customs checks slow down international travel

13 Tips For Getting Around France

Tip #1 – Prioritize Public Transportation in Cities

The city center of any destination can make driving extremely slow. In major cities like Paris and Bordeaux, public transportation can be faster. This applies not only to the metro and trams but also to buses, which have their own lanes. 

Tip #2 – Stay Aware of Strikes

Public transportation workers have the right to strike, which can disrupt trips. I’ve arrived at a Paris train station more than once to find that no trains were running! Check the news to stay up to date about train strikes and strikes on other public transport the day you travel.

Tip #3 – Prepare for Driving in Advance

French drivers stay on the same side of the road as North American drivers, but not all road rules are the same. Speed limits are generally lower, for example. Meanwhile, you’ll need to brush up on roundabout rules. 

Tip #4 – Allow Extra Time

Getting around any foreign country takes longer than back home. This is particularly true in France. Traffic jams, transport strikes, and crowds can make French transportation slow. A good rule of thumb? Add 15 minutes to any estimate for in-city transport. Add an hour if you’re going longer distances. 

Tip #5 – Budget for Extra Costs

Keep an emergency budget set aside for minor incidental costs. You never know what costs may arise or mishaps may occur while you’re traveling. For example, gas prices go up and down. Or, maybe your train gets delayed and you have to pick up a meal at a station. It’s best to plan ahead. 

Tip #6 – Consider Worst-Case Scenarios

Nobody wants to consider bad things happening, but preparation makes hard times easier. It also gives you peace of mind. Consider worst-case scenarios and prepare for them. For example, consider extra insurance coverage for roadside assistance.

Tip #7 – Fact Check GPS Apps

GPS apps like Google Maps and Waze have made drivers’ lives much easier. However, I’ve found that they’re not always perfect, particularly in rural France. They’ve told me to turn into rivers or walk along train tracks. If you’re driving in France, take a paper map with you just in case. 

Tip #8 – Check Trains First

What should you do when multiple transportation options sound great for your destination? Check trains first. They are generally faster than cars. This is especially true for TGV trains or any train going between major cities. They are also fairly inexpensive. 

Tip #9 – Pay Attention to Stops on Public Transport

Public transport in France can be amazing for saving time and money, but stops aren’t always clearly marked or announced. Count the number of stops on bus and train routes before boarding, then note which stops you’ve passed along the way.

Tip #10 – Keep an Eye Out for Transfers

A train or bus may seem like an efficient way to get between French destinations. But look carefully for transfers marked on your itinerary—they can take up lots of time. This is especially true if you’re supposed to transfer between modes of transportation at a big station like Paris Montparnasse. 

Tip #11 – Be Wary at Transport Hubs

Train stations and bus terminals are hubs for travelers—and so they become hubs for petty theft. Keep purses closed, wallets in front pockets, and an eye on your belongings. Do not engage with anyone who tries to speak with you, even if it’s awkward. 

📚 Related Reading: Is Paris Safe?

Tip #12 – Don’t Assume You Can Charge Your Phone on Transport

There’s nothing worse than arriving at a new destination with a dead phone. This has happened to me more than once! Now, I travel with a portable power bank. Some French trains, planes, and buses have chargers. Others don’t. Don’t assume!

Tip #13 – Avoid Renting a Car in Central Paris if You Have Other Options

Those starting their France trips in Paris should avoid renting a car in the Paris city center if at all possible.

It will be expensive and you’ll need to deal with bad traffic.

Instead, take a train to the new city and rent a car there if you can. Or, take the metro to Paris suburbs and rent a car there. 

📚 Related Reading: How to Get From Paris to Normandy

FAQs

Is there good public transit in France?

Major cities in France have excellent public transportation. This is true for journeys both within and between cities. Trains and buses connect smaller French cities and towns well, but more rural areas lack easy public transportation.

What are the best apps for transportation in France?

The best apps for transportation in France are SNCF Connect for trains and Air France for flights. If you’re in Paris, add Bonjour RATP for local bus and subway information.

Map of France

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I hope you feel more confident about all the different ways of getting around France. Ready to start your French journey? Check out my guide on the top things to do in France. Then, come back to this guide to help you plan for those attractions!

(Featured Image Credit: olrat / Shutterstock)