Does France have free public transportation?

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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Cost of Public Transportation in Paris A credit card-like travel card that you can load tickets (think Oyster Card in London or SmarTrip card in DC). There is a 2€ fee to purchase this card. A single ticket for zones 1 and 2 costs 1.90€. A great idea is to buy a Carnet of 10 tickets for 14.50€.

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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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The base ticket for the Parisian Metro is a ticket t+. It costs 2,10 € (1,69 € if you buy a bundle of 10) and is valid within Paris and all adjacent suburbs. You can change Metro lines as often as you want, as long as you are not exceeding 2 hours and don't leave the station.

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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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Airlines are expanding French routes every year, with maximum flight times of two hours; ferries are a great option for families or road trippers; and France's reliable rail network spans all four corners of the country, making train travel a delightfully scenic option for those with more time.

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Yes! There IS Uber in France, but only in the larger cities. I live in rural France, and getting Uber anywhere in the Charente is impossible as it doesn't exist. In fact, finding any type of taxi is hard in the French countryside, similar to many other countries.

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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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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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Yes, French people are friendly to tourists. If you are respectful and courteous of the French culture while you travel, you won't have any problems.

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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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In Taxis. Rounding up the fare to the next euro usually suffices for a tip amount, but if that seems paltry, go ahead and leave 5–10% on top of the fare.

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Paris Taxi Fares In detail, the starting fare for taxi rides is 2.60€/2.60$ while the minimum fee (regardless of the distance) is 7.30€/7.30$. From that point, there are 3 types of rates: Rate A: 1.13€/1.13$/km – Waiting time: 35.11€/35.11$/hour. Rate B: 1.47€/1.47$/km – Waiting time: 45.95€/45.95$/hour.

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Métro. The Metro is the easiest, least expensive and quickest way to go out and to get home. Fourteen lines crisscross Greater Paris, from east to west and north to south. Good to know: As part of certain celebrations and events (New Year's Eve, Fête de la Musique, etc.), the Metro is open—and free—most of the night.

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