Getting Around France: 5 Routes Compared
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Getting around France costs less and takes less time than it does in Canada. A Paris-Marseille run takes 3h03 by train, city centre to city centre, while flying hands you two airport transfers and a check-in. What is left to work out is when the train wins, and when it loses.
We compared five routes out of Paris: Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille and Nice. For each one you will see the entry price by train, coach and plane, the shortest journey time, and which mode comes out ahead. You will also see which air routes French law has scrapped, and how to pay for your tickets in euros without foreign transaction fees.
How do you get around France?
Rail carries most of the long-distance traffic in France, and it usually earns that place. For the longest trips you can still take a TGV or a plane, though French law has scrapped several short domestic air routes that the train already covers. On shorter hops, regional trains and the coach fill the gaps.
The car is also an option, although France imposes fairly high tolls on the country’s freeways. The bill can therefore be particularly high, and journey times longer than by train.

Trains and TGVs
The SNCF, France’s rail transport company, offers two options for travellers looking to cover long distances by train across the country: TGV InOui and TGV Ouigo. InOui is the new name for the traditional TGVs, offering premium comfort with upgrades such as power outlets, free wifi, continuous cleaning service, and an on-board manager dedicated to travellers’ well-being. Ouigo, on the other hand, is the low-cost version of the TGV. Fares are more attractive, but on-board services are more limited. In particular, you have to pay to carry luggage on OUIGO.
If you travel frequently in France, it can be worthwhile to look at the SNCF loyalty program, Grand Voyageur. It rewards you for your loyalty by earning points on each of your train trips, later giving you access to reward tickets and discounts.
For shorter distances, notably between Paris and Saint-Denis, you need to buy a train ticket to board a regional or local service. In Île-de-France, local trains carry the Transilien brand, while across the rest of France they’re called TER, for Train Express Régional. Both brands nonetheless belong to the SNCF.
Buses and coaches
In France, the coach comes in well below the train and the TGV. Two companies share most of the market: FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus, the former Ouibus that BlaBlaCar bought in 2019. Out of Paris, FlixBus advertises 375 destinations reachable directly, and fares from 4.98 €.
Leaving Paris, FlixBus advertises Lille from 8.98 €, Lyon from 12.48 € and Bordeaux from 17.48 €. Marseille starts at 24.48 € and Nice at 36.98 €. The price is hard to beat, but check the duration before you book: reaching Nice by coach takes 11h50, against 5h34 by train.

Plane
The French decree of 22 May 2023 bans domestic air routes that a train covers in under 2h30, where rail service is deemed sufficient. Three lines out of Orly have gone: Paris-Nantes, Paris-Lyon and Paris-Bordeaux. Connecting flights, for their part, remain allowed. To Marseille and Nice, the plane keeps its place: expect about 1h25 in the air with Air France, easyJet or Transavia, plus the two airport transfers on either end.

Train, plane, coach or car: which to pick?
Here are the five routes compared, with the entry price each operator advertises and the fastest journey time. Those entry fares apply to a selection of trains and dates: they drop when you book early, and climb as departure nears. If you take the road instead, our comparison of gas credit cards will help trim the fuel bill.
Paris-Bordeaux
When booked in advance, TGV Ouigo tickets are especially good value for getting to Bordeaux from Paris.
| Mode | Entry price | Shortest journey time |
|---|---|---|
| Train, TGV INOUI or OUIGO | from 10 € | 2h02 |
| FlixBus coach | from 17.48 € | 5h35 |
| Plane | direct route scrapped by the 2023 decree | not applicable |
Book this route: the train · the coach · a rental car
Paris-Lille
To reach Lille, it’s best to board a TGV InOui and enjoy the many services on offer, such as wifi, since ticket prices aren’t exorbitant. It can be complicated to get to Paris-Charles de Gaulle from the heart of the capital.
| Mode | Entry price | Shortest journey time |
|---|---|---|
| Train, TGV INOUI or OUIGO | from 12 € | 0h58 |
| FlixBus coach | from 8.98 € | 2h15 |
| Plane | no scheduled service | not applicable |
Book this route: the train · the coach · a rental car
Paris-Lyon
To reach Lyon from Paris, TGV tickets are sometimes a bit higher because there are many passengers. Those looking to save will prefer the regular train or the TGV Ouigo, if they book well in advance to still get affordable fares.
| Mode | Entry price | Shortest journey time |
|---|---|---|
| Train, TGV INOUI or OUIGO | from 16 € | 1h43 |
| FlixBus coach | from 12.48 € | 4h30 |
| Plane | direct route scrapped by the 2023 decree | not applicable |
Book this route: the train · the coach · a rental car
Paris-Marseille
There are also many passengers travelling by TGV between Paris and Marseille. Here, the TGV InOui and the plane are good alternatives. The plane isn’t the most eco-friendly option, though, so if you choose to fly rather than take the train, don’t forget to offset your carbon footprint! Some airlines, such as Air France, offer passengers the option to pay a surcharge to reduce the carbon footprint of the flight they’re on.
| Mode | Entry price | Shortest journey time |
|---|---|---|
| Train, TGV INOUI or OUIGO | from 16 € | 3h03 |
| FlixBus coach | from 24.48 € | 9h10 |
| Plane, Air France, easyJet or Transavia | varies by date | about 1h25 in the air |
Book this route: the train · the coach · the flight · a rental car
Paris-Nice
Nice is the one route of the five where the plane keeps a real edge: about 1h25 in the air against 5h34 on the fastest train. If you would rather stay on rails, start from Marseille instead, which puts the French Riviera a little over two hours away. Once there, the coast is easy to cover by regional train, with no car needed.
You could rent a car from one of the Sixt agencies in Marseille with your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card, which carries theft and damage coverage on rental cars. Read the limits before you decline the counter's own cover: vehicle category and rental length both matter.
| Mode | Entry price | Shortest journey time |
|---|---|---|
| Train, TGV INOUI or OUIGO | from 25 € | 5h34 |
| FlixBus coach | from 36.98 € | 11h50 |
| Plane, Air France, easyJet or Transavia | varies by date | about 1h25 in the air |
Book this route: the train · the coach · the flight · a rental car
Bottom line
There are dozens of ways to cross France, and that is a real difference from Canada, where the options stay limited and expensive. On the same route, you often get to choose between four modes. Remember the simple rule: under 2h30 by train, the plane has disappeared from the timetables, and the TGV wins anyway once airport transfers are counted. Beyond that, the plane takes back the advantage on time, while the coach keeps its edge on price. That leaves paying for the ticket, and this is where your points can take over.
Not the type to plan months ahead? You could pay for your trip with your points. Grab your credit cards!
What is the difference between a TGV INOUI and a OUIGO?
How much does a train ticket cost in France?
Can you still fly between Paris and Lyon or Bordeaux?
Which cities does the TGV serve in France?
Is the coach really cheaper than the train?
Do you need to rent a car to visit France?
Can you eat and drink on board a TGV?
How do you avoid foreign transaction fees on your tickets?
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