Public transport in France

TGV trains connect Paris to Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, Strasbourg, Nice and others in two to four hours.

• Tickets are sold on SNCF Connect (the site and app) and in stations and via sites such as Trainline, and prices fall the earlier you book (up to three months before), and there are cheaper Ouigo trains with strict luggage rules and times.
• The electronic ticket (e-billet) on your phone is enough, and you validate paper TER tickets in the machine (composteur) before boarding.
• Check the voie (platform) on the station board just before arrival.
• And there are grèves (strikes) that sometimes disrupt trains, so check the app and use the right to cancel or compensation (compensation for delay over an hour).
• And for short distances the TER at low prices and regional cards.
• And use BlaBlaCar for the cheapest shared car travel.

In Île-de-France transport relies on the Navigo: the Pass Navigo is a monthly, weekly or annual subscription card at a unified price for all zones (about 88 euros a month 2025), the Navigo Easy is a card loaded with single tickets at unified prices (about 2.55 euros a journey), and the Navigo Liberté+ pay by usage, bought on the Île-de-France Mobilités app or in stations.

• For young people the Imagine R for students and discounts for low-income (Solidarité Transport up to 75 percent off) and the elderly.
• Validate the card at the gate (touch) and journeys are counted comprehensive for all means within the zone.
• The fine for violation (fraude) is about 50 to 60 euros (and more if you delay).
• Use the Citymapper, IDFM and Google Maps apps.
• And avoid rush hours, and beware of pickpockets in the metro and tourist areas.

In other cities transport is run by local companies with metro (Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Rennes and Lille), tram (most cities) and buses, and tickets are bought from machines, newsagents and apps, and validated on boarding.

• Companies offer monthly and annual subscriptions and discounts for students, young people, the elderly, the unemployed and low-income people, and some cities make transport free (Dunkirk and Montpellier for residents).
• For trains there are discounts: the Carte Avantage, Carte Liberté and Carte Jeune (12-27 years), Carte Sénior (60+), at about 30 to 50 euros a year lowering prices by 30 percent.
• And the limited Pass Rail and Interrail.
• Book early in holidays.
• And regions offer cartes TER at reduced prices.
• And keep your ticket until the end of the journey for inspection.
• And check your rights to compensation for delay.

The bicycle is a fast and economical means in cities, and cycle lanes (pistes cyclables) and sharing systems are widespread (Vélib' in Paris, Vélo'v in Lyon, Vélostan and others).

• Riding is allowed on lanes and in streets, and banned on pavements, and lights at night, reflectors and a bell are required, and a helmet is compulsory for children under 12.
• The bike is locked with a good lock since theft is common, and can be registered with Bicycode (an anti-theft marking compulsory on new bikes).
• And the state sometimes offers an aide à l'achat for electric bikes and a forfait mobilités durables paid by the employer.
• As for electric scooters they are allowed on roads with conditions (age 14, speed 25 km/h, a helmet recommended, banned on pavements, banned without insurance), and hiring is restricted in some cities (Paris banned it). And there are rules for carrying a bike on trains.

Driving in France is on the right.

• For a car you must have: a valid driving licence, assurance auto compulsory insurance, the carte grise (vehicle registration) in your name, the contrôle technique a periodic inspection every two years after four years from registration, a Crit'Air sticker for low-emission zones (ZFE) in big cities, and a triangle and high-visibility vest in the car.
• Your foreign licence is valid for one year from getting your residence card (or from entry for Europeans without limit), then you must do an échange, exchanging it for a French licence via ANTS within the first year (and not in all countries, since it depends on an agreement: the list of countries on service-public.fr), otherwise you retake the exams: the theory code de la route and the practical conduite in a driving school (auto-école) at a cost of 1500 to 2500 euros.
• Check your country early.
• And the maximum speed is 130 on motorways (110 in rain) and 80 on ordinary roads and blood alcohol 0.5 g/l (0.2 for novices).
• And penalties are strict.

What is the Navigo?