What is the best way to travel in France between cities?

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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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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Train travel in the South of France is the perfect way to visit the many pedestrian-friendly towns along the Cote d'Azur. You can visit some of the best spots in the area by train, such as the Basilica of Saint Michael Archangel in Menton and the Picasso Museum in Antibes.

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Ways to save money on train travel in France
  1. Rail travel can be expensive in France but it is possible to pay less by knowing the system and planning out your trip. ...
  2. Remember the basics. ...
  3. Buy a railcard. ...
  4. Use the once a year 25% discount. ...
  5. Check for 'flash sales' ...
  6. Do not buy from the ticket office.


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How do you get around the South of France?
  1. Public Transport – One of the world's fastest trains can be found in France and runs between all of the South of France's major cities.
  2. By bike – France is well known for its bike-friendly culture, and you'll find many good cycling routes here.


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Yes. Uber is definitely a safe option in France. I've always loved the fact that the Uber App tracks everything for you, including license plate numbers.

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Where are the Most Affordable Places to Live in France?
  • Montpellier. For those who love to live in a lively city, Montpellier is a popular and surprisingly affordable city located in the South of France. ...
  • Grenoble. ...
  • Nantes. ...
  • Châteauroux. ...
  • Dordogne. ...
  • Tarn. ...
  • Cantal.


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The cheapest time to visit Paris is during the off-season — in the winter, before and after the holiday rush, which means early December, January, and February.

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How do you get around the South of France? Public Transport – One of the world's fastest trains can be found in France and runs between all of the South of France's major cities. By bike – France is well known for its bike-friendly culture, and you'll find many good cycling routes here.

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Buses in France are very cheap, tickets are not normally more than a euro and are even as little as 20 cents in some places. Many cities have bus services which run into the suburbs or even into the countryside which can be a handy option for day trips. Outside of the cities, bus services can be infrequent and slow.

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East: Out to Reims, Nancy and Metz. West: Anger, Saumur, Chinon and other Loire spots. West: Nantes, La Rochelle and Cognac. Southwest: Poitiers, Angouleme and Bordeaux.

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While the South of France is perhaps best known for its fresh produce, fine wines and ancient sights, it also makes a perfect place for your family holiday – you'll be surprised by the wealth of things to do with kids all year round!

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The best way to explore the region is over a week or two, allowing you to soak up the scenery at your own pace. Starting at the port of Marseille and working up to the sunny shores of Nice, our South of France 10-day itinerary covers all the essentials.

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The best way to travel between French town & cities is by train, in comfort at ground level. France's world-famous TGV travels at up to 199 mph, from city centre to city centre, and if you pre-book direct with the operator you can find some really cheap fares, too.

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Put your journey details into the Trainline ticket alert system and you'll get an email when advance tickets for that journey go on sale, which are usually the cheapest fares – though to avoid fees, book via a train-booking site that doesn't charge them.

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From live times and disruptions info to split tickets and price alerts for the cheapest tickets, the Trainline app gives you control of your journey. It makes train and coach travel across the UK and the rest of Europe easy.

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Are you 60 or over and travel occasionally on TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and TER trains in France and Europe? Make the most of your card from the third journey¹ and benefit from a 30% discount in 2?? and 1?? classes.

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