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Transportation in France: Public Transit, Trains, Taxis, and Travel Apps

Transportation in France: Public Transit, Trains, Taxis, and Travel Apps

Transportation in France

Main Modes: France offers extensive public and private transport, including metros, buses, trams, trains, taxis, ride-hailing, and domestic flights. Major cities have integrated networks; intercity travel is supported by high-speed trains and long-distance buses.

  • Public Transport: Paris has the Metro, RER trains, buses, and trams. Other cities (Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nice, Strasbourg) operate metros, trams, and buses. Ferries are available in Marseille and Corsica.
  • Transport Apps: Uber operates in major cities. Bolt and Free Now are also available. SNCF Connect (trains), Citymapper (urban transit), and Bonjour RATP (Paris region) are widely used.
  • Domestic Flights: Domestic airlines include Air France, Transavia France, and easyJet. Main routes connect Paris with Nice, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Corsica.
  • Intercity Trains & Buses: SNCF operates TGV (high-speed), Intercités, and TER trains. Major routes: Paris–Lyon, Paris–Marseille, Paris–Bordeaux. Bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.
  • Taxis & Ride-Hailing: Taxis use meters; ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) are common. Fares vary by city and time.
  • Car Rental: Available at airports and cities. Non-EU drivers need an International Driving Permit (IDP) with their license.
  • Tourist Recommendations: Airport-city transfers: RER B (Paris CDG), Rhônexpress (Lyon), shuttle buses in Nice and Marseille.
  • Accessibility: Most metros, trams, and buses in major cities offer step-free access and assistance for travelers with disabilities.
  • Unique Local Transport: Funiculars in Lyon and Montmartre (Paris); cable cars in Grenoble.
  • Safety & Payment: Public transport is generally reliable. Payment by contactless card, tickets, or mobile apps is standard.

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