How Can You Travel to France?
There are various means by which one can travel to France, with air travel being usually the best choice if traveling long distances.
Before your trip, it’s a wise move to brush up on basic French phrases like Bonjour and Merci in order to ease conversation with locals.
1. Fly
Air travel is by far the quickest and most efficient way to explore France, offering quick access to cities while taking advantage of their excellent rail network while saving on car rental costs.
Travelers looking for cheap flights should consider flying during France’s off-season (January, February, November and December), when flight prices tend to be more reasonable. You can save even more by booking early and using miles earned through credit card travel programs to book their trip.
France is generally safe for tourists, though there can be minor crimes like pickpocketing and scams that should be considered petty thefts. If safety is of concern to you, we advise avoiding touristy areas at nighttime.
2. Train
Trains are one of the best ways to explore France, especially when visiting less-than-ideal spots. The primary French rail operator is SNCF but there are also long-distance international services like Thalys (Netherlands/Belgium/Germany); Alleo trains to Italy; Eurostar service between England and France and TGV service for Spain.
Eurail and Interrail passes are available from most major cities as well as airports like Charles de Gaulle in Paris, Marseille and Lyon. Once in Europe you’ll be able to use them on most trains; however you must book seats ahead of time; with exception for TER (Trains en Provence) routes which don’t require seat reservation.
Train trips are also enjoyable just for their scenic beauty alone; France boasts an outstanding network, offering stunning vistas along the route.
3. Bus
Flixbus provides an extensive network of routes between major French cities, while local bus networks serve regional areas. For more information about schedules and prices please refer to Omio website.
Traveling France by bus may not be as fast or comfortable as taking trains or planes, but it is still an affordable and efficient way to visit its countryside, cities and villages that most travellers wish to discover. Additionally, many bus services operate overnight so that travellers can save money on accommodation expenses while having a more relaxing trip experience.
Most urban bus services offer a flat rate for each journey, purchased by purchasing tickets directly from their drivers. Season tickets and passes may also be available on certain lines.
4. Car
Locals know renting a car as the ideal way to explore France, particularly if you prefer off-the-beaten-path exploration. Rent cars from airports or train stations in major cities; many rental agencies offer domestic one-way rentals without extra charges or hassles.
For shorter trips, the SNCF and international bus companies compete with rail services by offering cheaper but slower options for short distance travel within towns or between cities. Buses also serve rural areas that lack train lines.
Cycling can also be an efficient means of transportation, offering access to an expansive network of bike paths (known as pistes cyclables ) and greenways that weave among vineyards and orchards. Unfortunately, cycling in rural areas may take longer and more remote destinations may require taking a ferry such as Corsica for travel purposes.
5. Cruise
As France offers beautiful countryside scenes and world-class museums to discover, as well as elegant cafes for sipping wine in style, cruise holidays are a perfect way to discover this remarkable country.
With borders reopening and millions of Americans eager to visit again, Paris and other top travel destinations should experience increased foot traffic this summer. Many travelers who had put off taking trips during the pandemic have already booked hotel rooms, restaurant reservations, and tours of chateaux.
Air travel within France can also be an attractive choice, particularly for longer journeys like from Lyon to Bordeaux or Marseille and Provence. Flights tend to be more centralized; thus between major cities like Lyon and smaller ones like Bordeaux there may be multiple stops and transfers before reaching your final destination.
