How To Get Around France Without A Car? (2025)

Do You Need A Car To Get Around France?

No, you don’t need a car to get around France.

Every larger city has reliable and affordable public transportation, and you’ll notice most locals don’t drive inside the cities either.

Within cities, you can take a metro, bus, tram, or even rent a bike! 

Also, there is Uber in France and other taxi-hailing apps you’ll want to download to order a ride without worrying about the final price.

To travel between French cities, you can take either a train or a bus.  Trains are more popular in France than buses, but buses can be cheaper. 

However, you’ll want to compare travel times before opting for buses, as some routes can take three times longer than trains.

Figuring out how to get around is an important step in planning your trip to France, so let’s get started!

Want to check out the prices of rental cars in France?
🚗 I always use this website to book cars in France!

Public Transportation In France

1. Trains in France

Traveling by train in France is the most popular way to get around the country without a car.

The railway network in France is great. You can take a train between every major city, and countless smaller cities and French beach towns are connected to the network as well.

A downside of train travel is that trains can be expensive in France and occasional strikes. 

There are several different types of trains in France, but they are all managed by SNCF – the national railway.

• TGV are intercity high-speed trains, mostly connecting Paris to regional capitals like Bordeaux, Strasbourg, or Lyon.
• Ouigo trains are low-cost high-speed trains that are supposed to be less comfortable than TGV trains, but honestly, they’re the same to me.
• Intercités are non-high-speed trains between cities in different regions, for example Bordeaux-Toulouse.
• TER are non-high-speed regional trains connecting smaller towns within the region.

Buying Train Tickets In France

An important thing to consider about train travel in France is that the ticket prices increase closer to the departure date.

So, train tickets in France don’t have fixed prices, and they are significantly cheaper if you book in advance.

I suggest you book your tickets directly on the SNCF website.

You can also buy last-minute tickets on ticket machines at the train station, especially for regional trains.

Also, train stations have counters where you can get tickets in person and ask for directions.

You can’t buy tickets on the train! You’ll have to pay a fine if controllers catch you without a ticket.

TGV, Ouigo, and Intercités can sell out, so you should book in advance on popular dates even if you’re not bothered about the prices.

I don’t think TER trains have any limits as you don’t get an assigned seat and  I’ve been squished in a hallway of these trains countless times.

Trains in France can get pricey, so you can also look into different Rail Passes!

2. Long-distance Buses in France

I was surprised when I realized bus travel in France is not nearly as popular as trains. 

Sure, it makes sense when you see how big the country is, but still! 

I was quite shocked to learn that there are no bus stations with counters where you can buy tickets, check departure times, or generally make sure that you’re at the right place.

Many long-distance bus stations in France are on the side of the road or under a bridge (Bordeaux bus station I’m looking at you!) and there’s no personnel at all.

Personally, that’s I usually pick departure times during the day. 

The idea of waiting on the street in the middle of the night doesn’t really appeal to me, and it is one of the downsides of traveling in France by bus. 

At the same time, some cities have regular bus stations with waiting rooms. For example, Lyon, Toulouse, and Paris, so don’t dismiss buses right away!

Buying Bus Tickets In France

So, how do buses work in France then?

There are basically two bus companies in the country. There used to be more, but they are all under these two now:

• Flixbus 
• Blablabus (previously known as OUIbus)

I used both and don’t think there’s any major difference between them, so I usually go for the cheaper option.

Getting bus tickets in France is completely online.

I use Omio to see departure times and prices for both companies, so I can pick the one that works the best for me.

However, you can also get tickets directly at the company’s website or the SNCF website. 

You’ll have to show your ticket on your phone when boarding the bus.

3. Regional Buses in France

Regional buses are a separate category of buses, as they have nothing in common with long-distance buses – apart from being buses.

You can look at regional buses as an extension of the regional railway network.

Naturally, trains can’t go everywhere, and that’s where regional buses come in handy!

Individual regions manage these buses, so there is no national website where you can see all of them. 

Instead, you’ll need to check routes and departure times on each region’s website.

I used a regional bus in Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Marseille, and many more places.

For example, a regional bus is the only way to get to Lacanau without a car or the picturesque villages of Alsace!

The main advantage of these buses is the price. They are very affordable, and most rides are 3-5€. 

You can get a ticket on the bus, and sometimes you can even pay directly with your contactless card!

A disadvantage is that they are slower than trains and not as frequent, so you’ll need to plan your itinerary if you rely on them carefully.

Also, since most of these bus lines are primarily used by locals, the drivers may not speak English. 

4. Domestic Flights in France

France is a big country, so the easiest way to get from one side of the country to another is by flying.

In fact, flying can sometimes be not only faster, but also cheaper than taking two trains! 

For example, to get from Bordeaux to Lyon by train, you’d first have to go to Paris and then switch to a different train to your final destination. 

France has banned short-haul flights in 2023, so you can only take a flight if a train alternative of 2.5 hours or less doesn’t exist.

Many low-cost airlines offer domestic flights in France, and I took Volotea, easyJet, and Ryanair before.

5. Ferries in France

If you’re visiting Crosica, you also have the option of getting a ferry!

You can get a ferry to several different cities in Corsica from Nice, Toulon, or Sete (close to Montpellier) which is great if you’re exploring French Riviera without a car.

I haven’t taken a ferry in France yet, as flying is definitely quicker. But it is good to know you can do it!

6. Ride-Sharing Apps

Another way of getting around France without driving is ride-sharing!

Blablacar is a popular app throughout Europe and locals use it often in France. Yes, it is the same app as the one you use for long-distance buses!

The driver sets the price and departure time, so you can browse the app to see if there’s an offer that works for you.

Ridesharing can be a cheaper and quicker way to get around France and a great way to meet locals and practice your French!

7. Public Transport In Cities

If you’re only visiting cities, you don’t have to worry about how to get around France without a car. 

Every town I visited in France had great public transportation, especially bigger cities. 

In fact, I would argue it’s easier to get around places like Paris by metro than with a car.

Google Maps works great to figure out the routes, but every city has their own transportation App you can check out too.

The app provides real-time schedules and even tells you which exit to take from the metro station, making it hard to get lost.

Public transportation tickets cost anywhere from €1.50 to €2.50, depending on the city, and they’re usually valid for an hour. 

You can also purchase a bundle of tickets or a pass that’s valid for several days.

8. Taxis and Taxi-Hailing Apps

If you need to get somewhere early in the morning, or late at night, you can get a taxi -regular or Uber.

If you don’t have internet in France as soon as you land, you can stop a regular taxi on the street. They are always around airports and train stations.

I think I only used a regular taxi once in France because I get anxious about not knowing how much the ride will cost, so I prefer Uber or Bolt.

There is Uber in France, but it is not the only taxi-hailing app. I also sometimes use Bolt, depending on which one offers a better rate.

There is no major difference between these two, and both will get the job done!

You can tip your driver if you enjoyed the service, but tipping is not expected in France. 

9. Bonus: Cycling in France

Cycling in French cities is easily the most popular way to get around. 

Just to make it clear, I’m not talking about going on Tour de France here. Instead, you can use bikes as an alternative to trams and buses in the cities.

French people love cycling. There are more bikes than cars in the garage of my apartment complex!

It is one of the reasons I like living in France so much, and I had a bike in both cities I lived in – Strasbourg and Bordeaux. 

Luckily, you don’t need to buy a bike to get around like a local. Most French cities have a great bike-sharing system, with bike stands throughout the city!

I used them in many cities, like Nantes, Bordeaux, Arcachon, and La Rochelle, and it was a great way to avoid crowded trams and discover the city.

Most work on the same principle – you have to create an account and pay a small daily fee to use the bikes. After that, the first 30 minutes of every ride is free and you only pay if you overcome that time.

Bike stations are everywhere, so you can easily give back one bike to stop the time, and take another one for additional 30 minutes!