Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around France.

Book in advance — SNCF tickets are cheapest 4-12 weeks ahead, especially on TGV high-speed trains. Prices spike during school holidays and weekends, so flexibility saves money.
Use the SNCF app or Trainline — Book via SNCF.com, the official SNCF app, or Trainline (cheaper outlet). Compare prices across both platforms before purchasing.
Validate your ticket before boarding by stamping it in yellow machines on platforms, or face a €50+ fine from ticket inspectors.
Consider rail passes — SNCF's Carte Liberté or a Eurail Pass may suit frequent travelers; day passes for multiple journeys can be cheaper than single tickets.
SNCF strikes (grèves) happen regularly, especially in autumn and winter, sometimes with little notice—check travel alerts before departing.

Buy a carnet or weekly pass — A carnet of 10 metro/bus tickets costs €16.90 in Paris (cheaper per-ride than singles at €2.25). Weekly passes (Navigo Découverte) or daily Tourist passes (Visite) offer better value.
Tap or validate your ticket — Hold your ticket or contactless card to the yellow reader at entry gates; many cities now accept NFC payment on phones.
Traveling without a valid ticket risks €50–150 fines from plainclothes inspectors; they are common on lines to airports and busy routes.
Download local transit apps — Use RATP (Paris), TCL (Lyon), or CTS (Strasbourg) apps for real-time schedules and service alerts; most offer trip planning and mobile tickets.
Pickpockets target crowded metro cars and tourist stations—keep bags in front and valuables secure, especially on Lines 4 and 9 in Paris.

Use official taxis or Uber — Yellow taxis are metered and regulated; Uber and Bolt operate in major cities at transparent, often cheaper rates than negotiated fares.
Book apps in advance for airport runs — Request a ride 10–15 minutes before departure to secure lower surge pricing; fixed-rate taxis from airport booths cost €30–50 to city centers.
Avoid unmarked taxis or negotiating fares in advance; unlicensed drivers often overcharge tourists, especially at airports and train stations.
Tipping is optional but appreciated — Rounding up or adding 5–10% is kind but not obligatory; card payments often have a tip option you can decline.
Airport taxi touts may aggressively solicit rides—ignore them and use official taxi queues or apps instead.

International Driving Permit & documents — Carry your valid driver's license, passport, rental agreement, proof of insurance, and an International Driving Permit (IDP) if from outside the EU—French police will request these.
Speed limits are enforced by fixed and mobile radars; exceeding limits by 1–20 km/h costs €45–90, and 20+ km/h can cost €135–750 and license suspension.
Headlights and safety gear — Dipped headlights are required at all times outside built-up areas and in poor visibility; carry a reflective vest and warning triangles—fines for missing safety equipment are €90+.
Use major rental firms or apps — Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise are reliable; always buy comprehensive insurance (CDW) to avoid large liability claims for minor damage.
Congestion charges (vignettes) apply in some city centers; check for Paris, Lyon, and Grenoble restrictions—failure to pay results in €375+ fines.
Fuel up early — Motorway service stations are expensive; fill up in towns before highway stretches or use Essence&CO app to find cheaper pumps.

Paris CDG and Orly connections — CDG has RER B trains (€11.45, 35 min to city center) and buses; Orly has Orlybus and RER C. Both have taxi ranks, but apps are often cheaper than fixed fares.
Arrive early for EU/Schengen flights — Allow 2 hours for domestic and EU flights, 3 hours for international; security lines are longest 6–9 a.m. and 4–6 p.m.
Beware of 'official' airport guides or unsolicited ride offers; book transport via official desks, apps, or pre-arranged pickups only.
Regional airports are simpler — Nice, Lyon, and Marseille airports are smaller and less crowded; shuttle buses to city centers cost €8–15 and run hourly.
Check baggage allowances and fees; budget airlines charge €5–25 per checked bag, and some airports charge parking fees for long-term dropoff areas.

Dover–Calais or Dieppe routes — P&O Ferries and DFDS operate busy routes; book in advance via their websites or ferry comparison sites for discounts, especially in off-season.
Eurostar as an alternative — London–Paris Eurostar (2 h 15 min) is faster and cheaper than ferry + driving; book at eurostar.com with significant advance discounts.
Ferry schedules change seasonally and during storms—confirm departure times and allow extra time, especially in winter.
Arrive early and bring ID — Ferry terminals require check-in 1–2 hours before departure for foot passengers, 30–45 minutes for drivers; carry your passport or ID card.

Multi-day passes in large cities — Paris Visite Pass (1–5 days, €12–65) covers metro, buses, RER, and Montmartre funicular; Lyon City Card and Marseille cards offer similar value.
Validation is crucial — Always validate single tickets or passes upon boarding by inserting them in readers; failure to do so is treated as travel without a ticket.
Ticket inspectors (contrôleurs) board transit without warning; carry proof of payment or face instant €50+ fines and potential detention.
Buy tickets at machines or booths — Metro/bus ticket machines accept cards and coins; kiosks (tabacs) often have friendlier staff and avoid long queues.
Contactless payment is widespread — Tap your contactless credit card or phone on readers instead of buying tickets; daily caps prevent overcharging.

Buy a local SIM card — Orange, SFR, and Bouygues sell prepaid plans at airports, train stations, and tabacs; unlimited data for 7–30 days costs €10–30.
Use eSIM or roaming — EU roaming works at home rates if you have a Roaming+ plan; eSIMs from Airalo or Holafly offer flexible data-only options for travelers.
Free WiFi is limited — Cafés, hotels, and some train stations offer free WiFi; RATP transit has WiFi in some Paris metro stations but it's slow—a mobile plan is essential.
Public WiFi is insecure; avoid banking or sensitive transactions on unprotected networks—use a VPN if available.
Activate phone settings before arrival — Turn off cellular data roaming before landing to avoid surprise charges; enable it only when using local SIM or confirmed roaming plans.