France captivates visitors with its iconic landmarks, world-renowned cuisine, and rich cultural heritage spanning millennia. From the romantic streets of Paris to the lavender fields of Provence, sun-soaked beaches of the Riviera to the snow-capped Alps, France offers diverse experiences for every traveler. Discover medieval villages, Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance châteaux, and contemporary art while savoring exceptional wines and cheeses.
- Public
- France has Europe's most extensive high-speed rail network (TGV) linking all major cities, and Paris's 16-line Metro is one of the world's most complete urban systems. Public transport is excellent value and far more practical than driving in cities.
- Taxi
- Taxis are reliable and well-regulated in France with fixed rates from airports. Uber and Bolt operate widely. G7 is Paris's official taxi app. Prices are transparent with metered fares displayed.
- Rental
- Car rental is excellent for exploring the countryside (Loire Valley, Provence, Alsace, Dordogne) but counterproductive in Paris where driving is slow, parking is expensive (€40-50/day in garages), and ZFE emission zones restrict older vehicles.
- Walking
- Paris, Lyon, and Nice city centers are highly walkable. Paris's 20 arrondissements mean major attractions are often within 20-30 minutes walk of each other. Comfortable shoes are essential on Paris cobblestones.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- RER B train to city center - €11.40, 30-40 minutes
- Shuttle
- Roissybus to Opéra - €16.60, 60 minutes
- Bus
- Le Bus Direct to Etoile/Eiffel Tower - €18, 60-75 minutes
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive bus networks in all major cities. Paris has 60+ bus lines covering areas metro doesn't reach. Night buses (Noctilien) run after metro closes.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, bike, scooter
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Paris: €4.18 base + €1.14/km (A rate) or €1.59/km (B rate) + €38.96/hour waiting
- Apps
- Uber (most popular), Bolt, Heetch (budget option), Marcel (green vehicles)
- App Names
- Uber (most popular), Bolt, Heetch (budget option), Marcel (green vehicles)
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
FlixBus, BlaBlaBus, and Ouibus connect cities at budget prices. Longer journey times but much cheaper than trains.
Routes: Paris-Lyon from €10 (6h), Paris-Bordeaux from €8 (7h), Paris-Nice from €30 (13h). Night buses available on some routes.
Cost: Typically €5-40 depending on route and booking time. Free WiFi, power outlets, toilet onboard.
- Tips
- Book online for best prices. Main stations: Paris Bercy, Lyon Perrache, Marseille Saint-Charles. Luggage included (20kg + carry-on).
Flights
Air France, EasyJet, and Ryanair operate domestic flights. Useful for longer distances (Paris-Nice, Paris-Toulouse) when time-constrained.
Routes: Paris-Nice 1h20m (€50-200), Paris-Toulouse 1h25m (€40-180), Paris-Marseille 1h20m (€50-160)
Cost: Budget airlines from €30-80 booked in advance. Full-service €80-250. Factor in airport transfer time and costs.
- Notes
- Orly Airport main hub for domestic flights. Consider total journey time including airport transfers - often train is faster door-to-door.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
From centre: 25 km northeast of Paris
Options: RER B train to city center - €11.40, 30-40 minutes; Roissybus to Opéra - €16.60, 60 minutes; Le Bus Direct to Etoile/Eiffel Tower - €18, 60-75 minutes; Taxi to center - €50-60 flat rate, 30-60 minutes depending on traffic; Uber/G7 app - €35-55, similar time to taxi; Private transfer services - €60-100
Orly Airport (ORY)
From centre: 14 km south of Paris
Options: Orlyval + RER B train - €14.10, 35-45 minutes; Orlybus to Denfert-Rochereau - €11.20, 30 minutes; Tram 7 + Metro - €4.10, 45-60 minutes; Taxi to center - €35-45 flat rate, 25-40 minutes; Uber/Bolt - €25-40; Le Bus Direct - €13, 60 minutes
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)
From centre: 7 km southwest of Nice
Options: Tram 2 to city center - €1.70, 25 minutes; Bus 98/99 express - €6, 20-30 minutes; Taxi to Promenade des Anglais - €32 fixed fare, 15 minutes; Uber - €20-30; Airport shuttle to Monaco - €33, 45 minutes
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)
From centre: 25 km east of Lyon
Options: Rhônexpress tram to Part-Dieu - €17.30, 30 minutes; Bus to Perrache station - €10, 45 minutes; Taxi to city center - €50-60, 30 minutes; Uber - €35-50; BlaBla Bus to various cities
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)
From centre: 27 km northwest of Marseille
Options: Airport shuttle to Saint-Charles station - €10.20, 25 minutes; Express bus to Aix-en-Provence - €10, 30 minutes; Taxi to Marseille center - €50-60, 30 minutes; Uber - €40-55; Car rental from €25/day
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
SNCF Connect
Official French national rail app for booking TGV and regional trains, checking real-time departure boards, and managing e-tickets. Essential for any train travel in France.
Citymapper
Best app for Paris (and Lyon, Marseille) public transport navigation — more accurate and detailed than Google Maps for Metro line changes, real-time bus info, and journey duration comparisons between Metro/bike/walking.
Vélib'
Official Paris bike-share app (Smovengo) for finding and unlocking Vélib' bike stations across Paris. Day pass €5, week pass €20. Essential for exploring Paris by bike.
G7 Taxi
Official Paris taxi app for booking regulated taxis with fixed pricing transparency. Useful for airport transfers (fixed flat rates) and reliable pre-booked travel.
BlaBlaCar
France's intercity ridesharing platform — drivers post routes, passengers book seats and share fuel costs. Paris-Lyon from €15, Paris-Bordeaux from €20. Excellent for budget intercity travel.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always validate (composter) your train ticket before boarding a regional SNCF train — TGV tickets are already allocated to your seat number but Intercités and regional trains require validation in yellow machines on the platform
Book TGV trains 2-3 months ahead for the cheapest Ouigo fares (from €10) — last-minute TGV tickets can be 5-10x more expensive
The Navigo Découverte weekly pass (€30) covers unlimited Metro, RER, bus, and tram travel in Paris zones 1-5 — valid Monday to Sunday only, buy on a Monday
Uber and Bolt are typically 20-30% cheaper than regular taxis in Paris but cannot pick up at airports in designated taxi zones — use the app-only pickup areas
Paris Metro Line 1 (tourist spine from La Défense to Vincennes via Champs-Élysées, Louvre, and Bastille) is the most pickpocket-heavy line — keep bags in front