5 ways to travel within France in 2025

INTRO

France is a very large country, even though it does not really show on a world map. It's densely populated, with an extensive road grid and a wide-ranging train system. We want to help you with deciding what kind of transportation you could use while touring in France. This information does not apply to city breaks, like if you were only staying a few days in Paris or in Lyon. In cities, we would like you to make good use of the local public transportation systems: metros, trams, buses, and of course, we advise you "to get lost" on foot, as this is the best way to discover a new area.

CLASSIFICATION

We suggest here 5 ways to travel within France. We use 3 different scales for an easy understanding to what's best for you, depending on what you are looking for in your travels.  Each scale goes from 1 star to 3 stars, 3 stars being the most flexible, the most covered ground, and the most cost efficient.

• 1st scale: flexibility
• 2nd scale: range/distance
• 3rd scale: cost efficiency

CAR RENTAL

Flexibility: *** / Range/distance: ** / Cost efficiency: **

Renting a car provides great flexibility, especially if you plan to travel in the french countryside. The national rail company has systematically cut down on rural train lines (due to economical reasons, so they say), and so it is increasingly difficult to reach remote villages. With your own rental car, you can go anywhere you want, though you will need to be familiar with French driving rules, our narrow roads, sharing country lanes with tractors and confortable on very winding mountain roads. 

I advise that you rent from EUROPCAR. Europcar.fr definitely has the most comprehensive offer for France. 

French Incoming, a France Inbound Specialist, can rent a car for you. French Incoming gets a commission from EuropCar, so you will pay the same price whether you go direct or through French Incoming. The advantage of renting your car through French Incoming is that they can include the best insurance package there is. www.french-incoming.com / info@french-incoming.com

TRAINS

Flexibility: * / Range/distance: *** / Cost efficiency: ***

Travelling by train in France is a the most eco-friendly way to enjoy France. As I pointed out in the above paragraph, it's getting harder to travel in the French countryside by train. However, it is definitely the best way to go from one big city to another. Be aware that a fee might now be required for your luggage on board certain trains. Some other times, you might be limited to carry just one piece of luggage, like on planes. 

I recommend the french national railway at www.sncf-connect.com.

Should you wish a more comprehensive offer, including nearby countries, I recommend:

www.trainline.com or www.raileurope.com

French Incoming has professional accounts with all these companies, so they can book the tickets for you for a small fee. But it also offers the advantage of providing you with alternative routes, best options, and so on, like explaining to you how it all works.

Free advice: always prefer to travel in first class which has more leg room and more luggage space. And most importantly, make sure you buy the most flexible tickets, because you want to be able to have a change of plan, if needed, without having to pay cancellation fees.

FLY

Flexibility: * / Range/distance: *** / Cost efficiency: *

Flying in France is only recommended if you travel from Paris to Nice, Marseille or Toulouse. For any other destinations, you should go by train or by car.

Flying is expensive. It does not provide for great flexibility. You still need to get to city centers from any airports. And it cost even more if you carry a whole lot of luggage.

Still, if you wish to fly within France, I recommend that you fly Air France, as they offer the largest number of flights withing French cities.

RENT A DRIVER

Flexibility: *** / Range/distance: *** / Cost efficiency: ***

I feel that, should you wish to have it all: max flexibility, max distance without the stress of driving, and max cost efficiency for the peace of mind it gives, you should go for a car AND a driver.

French Incoming has its own cars (with up to 7 passengers) and english-speaking drivers, and it has connection with english-speaking drivers throughout France. Consider asking for an offer at info@french-incoming.com.

Drivers are knowledgeable, they can help with reservations, itinerary, meals and so on. You may even request a driver-guide with speacial knowledge, like wine, architecture, forestry, history, WWII, etc.

COMBO

Flexibility: *** / Range/distance: *** / Cost efficiency: ***

You might not want to move from one place to another every day. You might want to be a few days in one place. You might also want to cover more ground, like from Normandy (northwest of France) to the French Riviera (southeast of France), which are more than 1000 km apart. You might want to go remote, or in the mountains. In your case, we recommend that you use all the options available, and in this case, I highly recommend that you contact French Incoming so that they can create your dream itinerary with the smallest price tag and the most flexibilty. www.french-incoming.com, info@french-incoming.com. 

www.french-incoming.com is a registered DMC in France, since 2011. They have helped thousands of customers travel through France, in groups or on their own. They have a transportation licence (VTC). 

French Incoming runs tours, city breaks, day excursions, pre and post-cruise trips, ski trips, religious tours, and specialty tours such as agriculture, forestry, french administration, french way of life, and so on.