Are busses in France free?

In more and more cities in France, public transportation is becoming free. Some cities have free transport only on weekends and some are planning on providing a completely free transportation system over the coming years. So how does it work and how can you benefit from it?



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The city of Dunkirk in northern France launched a revamped bus system last year with a twist – it's completely free. A new study shows that the programme is not only revitalising the city center but also helping the environment.

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Buy a bus ticket at any métro station, some newsstands, or a tabac (tobacco store). You can also buy them on the bus, but those cannot be used for transfers. Be sure to punch your ticket in the machine beside the driver when you board and keep your punched ticket throughout the trip.

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Take the (slow) train – Train travel in Europe is cheap and it's the easiest way to get around France. The TGV line can be expensive, but if you get the slow train or have a Eurail pass, you'll save money. Drink wine – In France, the wine is cheaper than water (well, almost!).

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With the most extensive train network in Western Europe, France is a great country in which to travel by rail. The national rail company, SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer), runs fast, efficient trains between the main towns. Buses cover rural areas, but services can be sporadic, with awkward departure times.

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On 29 February 2020, Luxembourg became the first country in the world to make all public transport in the country (buses, trams, and trains) free to use.

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Tipping in France is not mandatory. Even though it is always appreciated, it's up to the customers to decide if they want to tip or not. Unlike other countries, the price of the service is included in the total cost of the bill. You will never be asked to tip, but it's common to leave one if the service was good.

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Yes, tap water in Paris is perfectly safe to drink and is readily available wherever you go, even at public water fountains. As long as taps aren't labeled eau non potable—meaning “not for drinking” in French—everything else is potable. In fact, drinking water from the fountains of Paris has been encouraged.

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Bus Ticket Options in Paris These tickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver and are valid for a single journey on any bus within the city. The cost of a single ticket is €2.50, and it allows you to transfer between different bus lines within 90 minutes of your initial validation.

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Complete your plans today by reserving a ride with Uber in Paris. Request a ride up to 30 days in advance, at any time and on any day of the year.

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It's a relatively compact city, so combining your own two feet with low-cost public transportation is the best way of of getting around in Paris. In fact, it's one of the best walking cities in the world, and it also has one of the best public transportation systems.

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Metro. The Paris Metro is our preferred way to get around the city when we travel around central Paris. This is because it is fast, affordable, has a regular service, and it covers the majority of the attractions in the city centre. The Paris metro system is currently made up of 16 lines and 302 stations.

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If you're sticking to the big cities, locals say that trains and air travel are the best ways to get around. But if you want to explore smaller towns and villages (where locals say you'll find many of the best things to do in France, like eating fresh oysters in Cancale), getting a rental car is a good idea.

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France is one of the most walkable cities in Europe, and walking through its incredible cobbled streets feels like stepping back into a different century. France's walkable cities allow vacationers to enjoy beautiful culture, food scenes, and some of its most iconic tourist attractions.

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Short answer: no. Uber is definitely not cheaper than a taxi, but you're probably talking a euro or so for a 10-minute ride. It's up to you if that euro is worth it to go looking for a taxi.

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You can purchase tickets on board, if you have cash, for a slightly higher rate (€2.50, about $2.75), or at a ticket desk or machine in métro, RER, bus, and tram stations. Similar to the métro, you'll need to validate the ticket in one of the machines when you board the bus.

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