Getting around France
Europe
From Europe ✈️
Direct flight from Paris
Yes
Duration
1h-1h30 for domestic flights (Paris-Nice, Paris-Toulouse)
Indicative round-trip price
50-200 EUR round trip from major European cities
Book
1-3 months ahead; the train is often simpler than flying domestically
Recommended airlines
Local transport
Bus
FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus cover the country cheaply for long distances.
Train
TGV Inoui and Ouigo (low cost) between major cities, TER for the regions. Paris-Lyon in 2h, Paris-Marseille in 3h. Book early for the best fares.
Taxi
Metered taxis, pickup ~4.48 EUR + 1.29/km in Paris, minimum 8 EUR. Uber and Bolt are available in major cities.
Metro
Metro in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse and Rennes. Trams in many cities.
Essential apps
Common routes and indicative prices
| From | To | Mode | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | Lyon | TGV | 2h | 30-90 EUR |
| Paris | Marseille | TGV / Ouigo | 3h | 19-90 EUR |
| Paris | Nice | TGV | 5h30 | 40-120 EUR |
| Paris | Bordeaux | TGV | 2h05 | 30-90 EUR |
Indicative prices for 2025-2026. Fares vary by season, demand and how far ahead you book.
Vehicle rental 🛵
Scooter / Motorbike
25-45 EUR / day
Category A or B licence depending on engine size
Car
35-70 EUR / day
National or international driving licence
International permit : Not required (French license accepted)
Transport scams to know ⚠️
Pickpockets on the metro
The Paris metro (lines 1, 4 and RER B to the airport) and the areas around monuments are risky.
Tip :Keep your bag closed and in front of you, and your phone out of your back pockets.
Fake drivers at the airport
Touts offer off-meter rides at Roissy and Orly at inflated prices.
Tip :Take an official taxi at the rank (fixed fare to Paris) or order via the app.
Practical tips
- Book your train tickets several weeks in advance on SNCF Connect, prices climb fast.
- In the city, buy a booklet or a day metro pass rather than single tickets.
- Tolls and petrol are expensive on the motorway; BlaBlaCar is often the cheapest option between cities.
Other transport guides
Europe
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