France by Bus and Coach

France's cities are served by urban buses and a taxi-bus service connects many rural towns; find out about these and the long distance coach services...

Most of the départements in France have their own government-approved regional bus service.

Fares tend to be inexpensive, but rural services can be limited, especially on weekends. Buses usually run from 05:30 to 20:30, with many in towns and cities running to 00:30. Night services are provided in large towns until approximately 05:00.

 

Buses are identified by their number and the direction it is going in. Bus stops are indicated on the street by a bus shelter or sign. In some cities and tickets can be bought on the bus and in others from a ticket machine before boarding.

 

For regular travellers, it is better to get a bus card or pass, which can be purchased either on the bus or at local bus agencies. For more information see the individual operators' websites. Many offer the opportunity to recharge the pass online.

 

The city of Dunkirk offers free public transport to registered residents and Niort offers free bus journeys to its citizens.

 

Navettes also operate in some cities. These are shuttle buses which run between two points, for example – train stations and airport terminals or from one train station to another.

 

Long Distance Coaches

The implementation of Macron Law saw the liberalisation of the long-distance bus market and travelling by coach has become an alternative for travelling cheaper in France. There have been extensive improvements to the long-distance bus network. Coaches are modern and comfortable, They offer on board services such are free Wi-Fi, power outlets and toilet facilities.

There are a number of operators which provide coach services between major towns and to and from neighbouring countries.

 

BlaBlaBus (previously OUIBUS) is the SNCF long-distance bus travel service which offers numerous bus lines to 400 destinations in France and Europe. The company offers comfortable, reclining XL seats, toilets, free WiFi, electrical outlets and air conditioning.

 

SNCF Buses  Site offers ticket booking on the BlaBlaBus long distance bus network

FlixBus is a long distance bus travel service created in Germany, covers many journeys in France. Available services include the FlixBus App, toilets, free WiFi, electrical outlets and air conditioning. FlixBus also took over the MegaBus network in continental Europe.

Eurolines provides a service to and from France from other countries at low prices. It combines the services of 29 independent coach companies.

 

Isilines buses are now also part of the FlixBus and SNCF Network

 

Most French cities have a bus station known as an "autogare" or a "gare routière". For a list of bus stations

 

Tickets can be bought via the operator websites or via price comparism websites.