Bus Travel in France

While France as a very well connected highway system, because the French government encourages people to travel by train in the country, there is no national bus system in France. Also, while the TGV (France’s high-speed train) can whisk you from one side of the country to the other in just a few hours, bus travel is definitely neither the easiest nor the most convenient way to get around the country

That being said, while buses are slower, less convenient and less comfortable than trains, they are also cheaper. Especially for those travelers who qualify for discounts (under 26, students, teachers, over 60), taking the bus can be a good way to save some extra cash for shopping in Paris, a few bottles of wine or mountains of French pastries.

Inter-regional Bus Travel in France

Because there is no national bus system in France and the other major bus companies offer international, but not domestic routes to/from France, it is impossible to travel by bus between regions of France. For those trips, you are best off traveling by train in France.

>>Read more about Train Travel in France or Taking the TGV: France’s High Speed Train

Regional Bus Travel in France

While buses are not used to travel between regions in France, buses are used quite extensively for shorter-distance travel within departements in France—especially in more rural regions with limited rail lines (like Normandy and Brittany). That being said, while this is definitely the main mode of transportation in these areas, that does not mean it is either fast or efficient. In fact, buses are often slow and infrequent.

In more recent years, the SNCF (the French national rail system) has replaced under used train lines with buses and, unlike the usual regional buses, you can use your train pass on these buses.

Because regional buses aren’t fast or frequent, if you are planning or hoping to explore the more rural regions of France not connected by rail, you are definitely best off renting a car and exploring with your own set of wheels.

>>Read more about Renting a Car in France and Driving in France

Longer Distance and International Bus Travel

Busabout

From May to October (through Summer in France and high tourist season), the London based company of Busabout links 36 European cities in 11 countries. Stops in France include: Paris, Bordeaux, Tours, Avignon and Nice.

For those traveling with a set number of stops in mind, you can purchase a 6 stop pass (though you are able to buy additional stops on board) for about 250 pounds. You can also purchase a pass for about 300 pounds, which allows for unlimited travel on the bus system throughout a certain region loop.

>>Check out the Busabout Web site

Eurolines

If you’ve done much research about bus travel in Europe, it is likely you have stumbled across Eurolines. Eurolines is actually a grouping of over 30 European coach operators from points across Europe.

It is important to keep in mind, however, that Eurolines offers bus travel to and from different cities in France, it specializes in longer, international trips. In other words, you will not be able to take a Eurolines bus from Paris to the Loire Valley. However, if you are looking to travel from Paris to Prague, Bordeaux to Barcelona or Nice to Rome, Eurolines does offer an affordable alternative to taking the train in France.

You can purchase a Eurolines Travel Pass, which is a flexible ticket that allows for unlimited travel within a set period of time to more than 40 European cities. However, as I stated before, it is important to remember that you are not allowed to stop and visit cities along the route.

>>Check out the Eurolines Web site