Public Transport in France

France is known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and has countless historical monuments, magnificent churches and tourist spots. If you are planning a trip to France, you have probably thought about commuting in the city you want and exploring its beautiful streets. The most common public transportation system in France are taxis, which you can use to get around the city. But if you want to manage your commuting expenses, you need to familiarize yourself with other means of public transportation in France. In the following, we will introduce the public transportation system in France to you.

Bus

The bus is the cornerstone of French people’s daily life. It doesn’t matter if you plan to go to different parts of the city or you want to travel to the most beautiful villages of France, in any case, the bus will be one of the best options for you. You can buy bus tickets from automatic ticket machines or from the bus driver.

Subway

One of the most efficient public transport systems in France is at your feet. The largest metro in France is in Paris, which has about 300 stations. The system is operated by RATP, the public transport authority of the Paris region. In addition, cities such as Lille, Lyon, Marseille and Rennes have metro stations.

Train

Other public transportation systems in France include the train. French trains are run by the state-owned SNCF. There are various trains throughout France, the most important of which include the following:

• TGV: French intercity high-speed train service
• RER: the high-speed train that connects Paris to its suburbs.
• Regional trains: Local trains that operate between cities.
• Intercités (intercity trains): trains running between cities not served by the TGV network.

tram

It is safe to say that the tram is the most exciting public transport system in France, which has been launched since 2000 in about 20 cities of the country. Trams are very clean, modern and affordable. In many French cities, they are the fastest and most efficient form of public transportation.

Airplane

France has one of the most developed air travel infrastructures in Europe, covering a large number of international and domestic flights daily at its international airports. The two main airports of France, named Charles de Gaulle and Orly, are located in Paris. If you want to save time, you can use a plane to explore different parts of this country.

Taxi

Taxis are the most common form of public transportation in France. Taxis are located outside train stations and in commercial and entertainment areas. You can also book a taxi by contacting taxi companies.

Bike

If you are interested in cycling, you can use a bicycle to go to your desired points in the city. In fact, by using this means of transportation, in addition to exercising, you can significantly reduce your commuting expenses. There are more than 1,800 bicycle stations in Paris. Also, in many streets of Paris, special routes have been considered for cyclists.

bus boat

It may seem strange to you, but bus boats are one of the means of public transportation in France. You probably agree with me that exploring different parts of the city using these bus boats is a pleasant and memorable experience. Since the Seine River passes through the middle of Paris, many French people use these bus boats for their daily commute.