France’s transportation system relies heavily on railways, with the Paris metropolitan area served by the metro and RER, and intercity travel dominated by TGV high-speed trains. Knowing when and what type of ticket to book can save you money and help you avoid penalties for boarding the wrong train.

Arrival and Getting into Town

Within Paris

• Metro and RER: Cover the entire city and nearby suburbs. A single ticket costs about 2.5 euros, or you can buy multiple rides or use a Navigo Easy card.
• Navigo Weekly Pass: Based on the calendar week, covers metro, buses, and RER within selected zones. Great value for frequent travelers.
• Buses and Trams: Ideal for sightseeing, offering ground-level views, though they’re more affected by traffic.
• Vélib Public Bikes: Convenient for short trips. Requires registration and can be rented by trip or day. Watch out for full bike racks at docking stations.

Between Cities

• Paris – Lyon: TGV takes about 2 hours; Paris – Avignon: about 2 hours 40 minutes.
• Paris – Marseille: about 3 hours 10 minutes; Paris – Nice: about 5 hours 30 minutes.
• Paris – Bordeaux: about 2 hours 10 minutes; Paris – Strasbourg: about 1 hour 50 minutes.
• Ouigo is a low-cost high-speed rail service with cheaper fares, though stations and departure times may be less central.

Tips

• TGV tickets should be booked in advance—earlier bookings are usually cheaper, and some services require assigned seating.
• If your ticket requires validation, do so at the yellow validation machines on the platform; otherwise, it might be considered invalid.
• For getting around Paris by taxi, options include Uber or local cabs. Airport transfers often have fixed rates, which are more transparent than haggling.
• French train stations do not have security gates, so always check the platform screens and carriage numbers before boarding.
• When driving, be aware that some cities have low-emission zones; confirm your vehicle is compliant before entering.