France is an experience, not a destination.
Paris is the point of origin for many first-time visitors and no one will argue why. Take one ride around their métro system and you’ll be able to check off nearly all of your must-dos while exploring neighborhoods off the main tourist path.
But then there’s soaking up the sun on the Côte d'Azur. Wine tasting in Bordeaux and Burgundy. Eating your way through Lyon’s gastronomic goodness.
There’s much more to see and do in France beyond Paris and the French railway has your ticket to the country’s best cities, culture, and cuisine.
What is the best way to get around France?
Two things you must know about getting around France by train: it’s gorgeous and affordable.
You could certainly rent a car but that means quite a lot of driving, even if you’re only visiting one or two cities. Plus, you can’t exactly pop open a bottle of wine in the passenger seat (but you can BYOB on many trains while others have alcohol for sale on board).
And that’s before we compare travel time.
- Paris to Lyon: 2h by train, 4h 30m by car
- Paris to Bordeaux: 2h by train, 5h 30m by car
- Paris to Nice: 6h by train, 9h by car
Along with reduced travel times, you can also make quick jaunts to other countries without worrying about learning the unique traffic laws or translating road signs.
- Paris to London: 2h 15m by train, 6h by car
- Paris to Amsterdam: 3h 19m by train, 5h by car
- Paris to Barcelona: 6h 30m by train, 10h by car
Train travel takes you from city center to city center with no need for pit stops for gas, snacks, or bathroom breaks. On-board amenities will include free bathrooms, power outlets, WiFi, and a cafe-bar with an assortment of snacks, meals, and beverages for purchase.
Train travel in France: need to know
What is the French word for train station?
The French word for train station is ‘gare’, so you’ll see Lyon’s train station named “Gare de Lyon” and Strasbourg’s named “Gare de Strasbourg-Ville”. If you’re not fluent in French, you can buy e-tickets directly on Trainline’s app, with everything translated in English to help you identify the exact stations you need for your journey.
Can I buy French train tickets online?
Yes, and buying French train tickets online is a great way to save time and money. Not only can you get the lowest rates when buying in advance, but you’ll also skip the hassle of waiting in line at ticket desks or figuring out how to use the ticket kiosks.
What are the main French Riviera train stations?
The best way to get around the Côte d'Azur is by train, as there are multiple stations along the French Riviera. There are stations in Nice (Gare de Nice-Ville), Cannes (Gare de Cannes), and Saint-Raphaël (Saint-Raphaël Valescure). You can even take the train into Monaco (Monaco-Monte Carlo) and Italy (in Italian: Stazione di Ventimiglia).
How to buy Paris Métro tickets?
You can purchase Paris Métro tickets via ticket offices or machines in the métro stations, as well as from some local shops.
How to use the Paris Métro
Paris is smaller than San Francisco by a few square miles, so while it’s not a huge metropolis like Rome or London, it’s still rather sizable. Your soles will tire from walking the Louvre alone, so take advantage of the city’s métro system to see Paris’ best sites.
This is what you need to know about the Paris Métro:
- 16 lines make up the Paris Métro, running 1-14 with an additional 3B and 7B line.
- More than 300 métro stations exist across all 40 square-miles of the city.
- All 6 Paris train stations connect to or near a métro station.
- Multiple ticket options are available day-of or in advance, including one-way, one-day, and multi-day passes.
- Paris Métros start running at 5:30AM daily, stopping between 1:15AM and 2:15AM depending on the day.
- Line 6 stops near the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.
- Line 1 stops near the Louvre, while Line 4 stops near the Notre-Dame Cathedral.