How To Use Public Transportation in France? (2024)
Public transportation in France works great and you can get around nearly every city without a car.
Larger cities have a well-developed and fast metro or tram network, while smaller towns usually have a bus. Also, you can easily travel around the country by train or bus!
If you’re considering driving, you should know that public transport in France is significantly more affordable and you can avoid heavy traffic.
I’ve been living in France since 2020 and don’t own a car. I rarely ever feel like I need it, because buses, trains, and metros work great!
Here’s everything you need to know about the French public transport system!
French Public Transport Overview
When talking about public transportation, we have to separate public transit in cities and between the cities.
France is committed to sustainable development, so they’re investing a lot in eco-friendly approaches. One of their main achievements is providing public transport within the cities to limit the use of cars.
Different types of public transportation in French cities are:
- Metros
- Light Rail/Tram
- Bus
- Bike-shares
Not every city in France will have all of these, but you can at least expect there will be a bus virtually everywhere.
Also, getting around France without a car is simple with the well-developed and (mostly) reliable train and bus network.
Public Transport in French Cities
Metro In France
Metro is usually the best way to get around French cities – it is fast and efficient.
The only downside is that some lines are underground, so there’s nothing to look at during the ride. Luckily, most rides are very quick.
French cities that have metro are:
- Paris
- Lyon
- Marseille
- Toulouse
- Lille
- Rennes
I visited and took the metro in 5 of those 6 cities, and all worked perfectly.
Paris has the most developed metro network, with 16 lines, while Toulouse, Lille, Rennes, and Marseille only have 2! Lyon, the second biggest city in France, has 4 metro lines.
So, how to take the metro in France?
Metros in France are quite simple. You’ll need to get a ticket from ticket machines at the stations and scan it when entering the waiting area.
Metro tickets are scanned before entering a metro, as you can’t even get inside the departure area before scanning your ticket. There are barriers at the entrance that let you in once you scan your ticket.
Consequently, you can’t buy metro tickets from the driver.
Trams In France
Most larger cities in France have a tram, and I love getting around by tram. They are more comfortable than buses and don’t get stuck in traffic –most of the time.
Around 28 French cities currently have trams, including Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Nantes, Nice, Montpellier, and many more!
Interestingly, most of these cities first introduced trams in the late 19th century, only to have them closed in the mid-20th century to be replaced by buses, and reopened in the early 21st century!
So, how do trams in France work?
Most French trams have validators inside the tram where you have to validate your ticket every time you mount a tram – even when transferring.
You need to get a ticket before entering the tram. You can’t buy a ticket from the driver.
I took a tram in many French cities, and there was always a ticket machine at the station, so you don’t have to worry about that. You can pay in cash or by card.
Buses In France
Buses are usually my last resort when I travel because I always need to use an app to figure out the routes. However, you can find buses even in the smallest French coastal towns and they’re very useful!
Even in my city, I have to check the App when I want to take a bus because there are too many of them to know all the routes. Metro and tram lines are so simple compared to buses!
Still, if you’re staying far from the metro or tram line, you might have to figure them out on your trip to France.
My best tip is to use a transportation app to see which bus to take and where to get off.
Google Maps works in most French cities! Sometimes they mess up the times slightly, as they go off the schedules and not the “real time”,
Unlike metros and trams, you can buy a bus ticket from the driver. Most bus stops don’t have a ticket machine, so don’t panic.
Tickets you get from the driver will be slightly more expensive than if you buy them on a machine.
Also, buses in France don’t automatically stop at every station, so you’ll have to press the button to notify the driver you want to get off.
Bike Sharing In France
Finally, many French cities have a great bike-sharing system!
One of my favorite things about living in France is how cycling-friendly this country is! Most cities have dedicated bike lanes and many locals are cycling to work and to get around in general.
You can easily get around the city like a local with bike sharing.
These bikes work similarly in most cities.
You have to register on the machine or in the app and pay for at least 24-hour use.
Then, you can take bikes from all over the city during those 24 hours for free for the first 30 minutes.
You can return the bike after 25 minutes and take a new one. The new one is again free for 30 minutes!
These bikes are mostly used by locals, so don’t worry about looking like a tourist if you use them.
I used bike sharing in Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Nantes, Lyon, and many other places. It’s a fantastic way to get around!
Public Transport Apps In France
Google Maps works fine in most larger cities to get a general idea of where you to go and which tram or metro to take.
However, if you want more precise (in most cases) information, you’ll want to download local public transport apps.
Every city has its public transport app since every city manages its public transport.
Check who the public transport provider is in the city you’re visiting and download the app when organizing a trip to France – especially when figuring out how to get from the airport to the city.
Here are some of the local public transport apps:
With local apps, you get precise arrival times for buses and trams, as they’re linked to the timetables, not just the schedule.
You can also get transportation tickets with some, for example in Bordeaux! However, that doesn’t work in all cities, so you’ll have to check the ones you need.
Public Transport Tickets In France
France can be expensive, but public transportation in France is usually quite affordable!
Ticket prices are not the same countrywide, but a single ticket is generally around 2€.
Tickets are the most expensive in Paris, a whooping 4€ for a single ticket!
However, that price is supposed to be temporary and hopefully, it will decrease after the Olympics finish.
You can also get ticket bundles or 1-day/3-day passes if you plan on using transportation frequently during your trip.
Every city has a different offer of tickets and promo fares, so you’ll have to check for the city you’re going to.
Getting Around The Country
Besides public transport around the cities, you can also get around the country by bus and train!
Trains in France
Traveling by train is the most popular way to get around France and the best way to get around if you’re following my 7 days France itinerary.
France has an extensive railway network connecting cities throughout the country.
Trains in France are not the cheapest option, but they are usually the fastest way to reach your destination.
Thanks to TGV fast trains, you can travel a distance of 600km in 2 hours! It would take 8 hours by bus or a car.
You need to get train tickets before boarding the train, and the easiest way to get them is on the SNCF app.
It’s not possible to buy tickets from the controllers, you’ll have to pay a fine if you are caught without a ticket.
Buses in France
Traveling by bus is an affordable alternative to trains on many popular routes!
Long-distance buses are not as popular as trains in France, as they take significantly longer than fast TGV trains.
However, I always compare the price and trip duration as some buses work great too.
For example, they are great alternatives to TER and Intercity trains as they take approximately the same time for half the price.
FAQ:
How to use public transport in France as a tourist?
To use public transport in France you need to first get a ticket. You can buy single or multi-tickets from machines at every metro and tram station. You can also get a ticket from a bus driver. You need to validate tickets when boarding the transportation, otherwise, you’re risking a fine.
Does France have good public transportation?
France has a well-developed public transportation network with metros, trams, and buses. You can get around basically every French city by public transport. Most lines operate from 6 AM to around midnight.
Is public transport free in France?
No, public transport in France is not free. You have to get a ticket before entering the vehicle and validate it once you’re on board. Only 7 towns in France have free public transport, most are small communes with Montpellier being the largest city with free transport.
Summary: Public Transportation In France
Using French public transport is affordable, simple, and efficient.
It is faster and cheaper than driving, and you avoid the stress of figuring out driving rules in a foreign country and getting stuck in inevitable traffic jams.
6 French cities have a metro system, the largest network is in Paris, while more than 25 cities have a tram – that covers the majority of popular tourist destinations!
Finally, buses are available in areas not served by metro or tram.
There might be several reasons why France is overrated as a tourist destination, but the ease of getting around without a car is not one of them!
Ready to plan your itinerary? Check out these route ideas!
