Are there ways to keep long-distance land transport costs down in France when not planning in advance?

11/27/2016 8:22:20 PM

Another option, not mentioned until now is covoiturage or ride-sharing. It’s becoming quite popular in France. The main operator in this space is https://www.blablacar.fr/ (I am a user/member but otherwise unconnected to them).

Beginning this year, rules regarding long-distance buses have changed so it’s possible that cheaper bus-based options will appear very soon.

12/3/2011 10:07:01 AM

A rail pass is definitely a cheap way to travel a lot if you don’t live in France.

As for Eurolines, normally you can’t use it to travel from one city to another in France. You can only use it to travel abroad.

9/9/2016 3:03:18 PM

Seriously, if you have time and really want to get to know a region, a walking holiday is ideal. I haven’t tried it in France, but like many western European countries, France has an extensive trail system.

11/9/2011 9:48:07 AM

Le john says most of what I would answer. As I have already said in the related question.
The key to cheap traveling in Europe is planning all your traveling ahead and online. If you have to revert to counters you are doomed to pay a lot.

If, as you have indicated, you don’t want to plan. The options are hitchhiking, cycling, or walking. I have just seen a documentary on the “El camino de compostella“. It was amazing, so if time is really not an issue, I would recommend walking one of the routes. According to the documentary you will never walk alone.

In the Netherlands there is foundation call “Vrienden van de fiets” (friends of the bicycle). They publish a paper-based annual listing of addresses, also in france, where cyclists are more then welcome to stay.

6/22/2012 6:40:03 PM

There are a couple of possibilities.

  • Eurolines operates bus lines between several French cities

  • There are slower regional trains, the so-called TER. On longer
    trips it requires changing trains a couple of times. However, I am
    not sure if on these long trips the TER will be much cheaper than
    high-speed trains (TGV).

  • Have a look at iDTGV, these are a kind of low-cost TGV. They are a bit cheaper than the regular TGV’s.

  • Train tickets are cheaper if they are booked in advance. The earlier
    you book, the higher will be the chance to find cheaper tickets.

  • If you are flexible, avoid traveling during peak times (e.g. Friday
    and Sunday evening, early in the morning on the weekdays, …)

  • You could also have a look at rail passes. It can be cheaper than buying the tickets for each trip separately, but there is no guarantee for that.

  • There are overnight trains running within France. On longer trips that could be a possibility to save some money. Indeed, when traveling on night trains you don’t have to pay for accommodation.

  • If the objective is to minimse costs, you can also have a look at
    flights. Easyjet and Ryanair operate flights within France.

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Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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