France by bus
Traveling by bus in France is definitely one of the safest and cheapest ways of traveling while ensuring at the same time that you don't miss out on the beautiful natural landscapes around the country. Thanks to the well connected bus network between France cities it is easy to reach the majority of the most popular destinations within the country in a day.Table Of Contents
Intercity buses in France
In France intercity buses are available on more than 3573 travel combinations, while traveling with an average speed of 70 km/h. Of course, intercity bus routes via highway have a higher average speed. The majority of the France intercity buses are comfortable long distance coaches, but older vehicles might be used on busier travel days.The timetable for popular intercity bus routes like Paris - Paris Beauvais (Airport) or Paris Beauvais (Airport) - Paris can be found online, but for some shorter intercity bus routes you might have to go to the bus station. Tickets are sold both online and on the spot, but after the COVID-19 pandemic an increasing number of travellers prefer buying their tickets online.
Domestic routes
As mentioned above there are more than 3573 domestic intercity bus travel combinations in France. Below you will find some of the most popular France travel routes with minimal or no stops along the way:
International routes
From France there are international bus routes to neighboring countries such as Germany, Switzerland and Italy, as well as to other countries such as Netherlands, Portugal and Austria.The majority of these international bus lines are daily departures, that are operated by various France bus companies.
Most of the International bus departures drive from Chamonix, Lille and Paris. Of course, there are also some international bus departures from other cities throughout the country.
Below we have listed the most popular international bus routes:
Airport buses in France
If you are flying to France you will land in one of 35 airports located throughout the country. From the majority of France airports you have a bus shuttle to the nearest largest city and in some cases even intercity buses to other cities in the region. Click on the airport name below and read more about getting to and from the airport.International airports:
Domestic airports:
Le Puy-en-Velay (Airport)
Bus companies in France
There are over 28 bus companies operating in France. 13 companies offer intercity bus lines, 3 companies drive airport shuttles, 5 companies operate regional and local lines, 5 bus companies offer bus rental and 1 companies offer bus tours. The bus companies are located in 10 cities throughout the country. The majority of companies can be found in Paris and Nanterre.13 intercity bus companies operating in France are very different in size. The largest France company BlaBlaCar Bus connects more than 220 cities, whereas the smallest intercity bus company Cars et Voyages only has service to 8 cities.
Below we have listed some of the most popular bus companies in France. Full list of bus companies in France can be found here.
Bus stations in France
In most cities there is a dedicated bus station, in smaller cities the bus station might be a parking lot with a shelter or a section on the road marked for multiple buses. In some cities buses also stop at public road bus stops or at gas stations and hotel parking lots. In larger cities you will find bus stations with amenities like toilets, luggage storage, kiosks, fast food restaurants and other useful services for travellers. In France there is a total of 170 bus stations, below we have listed 15 of the most popular bus stations, for a full list of bus stations in France click here.
Hire a coach in France
France bus rental companies offer coaches for any kind of group trip, whether it’s a transfer from the airport to your hotel, or single and multi day excursions to the many sights in France. Rest assured you will be able to find a suitable partner. If you are travelling during the high season, it is advisable to book your bus in advance to secure one of the best vehicles for your group.Here you can see a list of some companies offering bus rental in France:
Ouibus
Louer Un Car
Bus Prive
Planète Autocars
Élorn bus & cars
Public transportation in France
As a visitor of France, you have lots of great France sights to visit. Some of the most popular sights are Louvre (Paris), Vanoise National Park (Modane) and Palais des Papes (Avignon). That said, there are a lot of other sights in France worth visiting! Some of the sights do not have an entrance fee, whilst others charge for entrance. Below you will find a list of the most popular sights in France:
Louvre
museum
Vanoise National Park
national park
Palais des Papes
monumental building
Notre-Dame de la Garde
monumental building
Eiffel Tower
monument
Chartres Cathedral
monumental buildingFAQ about buses in France
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