Trains across Europe make vacationing easy, but France has one of the best systems
Travelling on trains in France is inexpensive, easy and comfortable. Compared to the rest of Europe, France is certainly leading in the transportation department. Daily trains take passengers from Paris to Provence, for example, in 3 hours.
The TGV
Le "train à grands vitesse", high-speed train, is a speedy ride, indeed. Boasting over 186 mph, the trains travel across the country, as well as connect with London, Brussels, Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, Torino, Milan and others. Travel times have been going down over the 25 years the trains have been in operation and now have a swift record.
Approximate Travel Times
Paris to Marseille: 3 hours
Paris to Bordeaux: 3 hours
Paris to Aix-en-Provence: 2 hours 54 minutes
Paris to Avignon: 2 hours 38 minutes
Services
Trains are more comfortable then airplanes and offer more services. The seats are wider and recline more steeply, there are footrests for weary feet, luggage is easily stored above or at the entrance to each car, DVD film and player rentals are free, and a buffet and bar car provide fairly nourishing options that can be eaten in seat or in a general area.
France Travel Passes
There are 7 different passes just for travelling around France.
France Railpass: 3 days of unlimited travel within a 1 month period
France Saverpass: same benefits as the France Railpass, but is good for 2-5 people travelling together
France Senior Pass: available for those over 60 years old, same benefits of the France Railpass
France Youth Pass: again, similar to the above, but for those under 26 years of age
France Rail n' Drive: within 1 month, 2 days of unlimited travel and 2 days of car rental with unlimited milege
France Day Railpass: unlimited travel on 1 day within 1 month to such destinations as Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Lille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Dijon, Reims, London and Brussels
France Rail Pass for the Rugby World Cup: this spcialty pass allows travvellers 3 days of unlimited travel within a 1 month period to get you to all the games
France Passes to Other Countries
A quick way to travel between countries, trains go directly to Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. The Eurostar train goes to London under th chunnel in 2 hours 35 minutes.
Tips for the Train
- Plan your trip within 1 country at a time and go in a circular loop to avoid having to backtrack
- Departure and arrival times are always displayed in the 24 hour clock
- Be on time! Trains wait for no one and only stop from 1-3 minutes at each station
- Know how to calculate days used if you have a pass (trains are midnight to midnight, cars are 24 hours after pick up, 1 month is 1 complete calendar month)
