Getting from Paris to Avignon

A city that is encircled by well preserved stone ramparts, is home to the impressive papal palace and the famous “Pont d’Avignon,” Avignon is a beautiful city located in the heart of Provence. A city that once served as a rival power to Rome in Christendom, Avignon is now home to a vibrant student population and is the perfect jumping off point for those looking to explore the surrounding region.

Luckily, with France’s high-speed train the TGV and a well connected highway system, it is super easy to get from Paris to Avignon. In fact, Avignon is probably the quickest and easiest city to get into when traveling from Paris to the South of France.

By Train

I don’t think I can say enough times that taking the train in France is almost always the way to go. Because TGVs whisk passengers to destinations at more than 200 mph, it is almost always much faster to travel by train versus by car. Fortunately for travelers hoping to go by train from Paris to Avignon, there is a TGV which runs between Paris and Avignon and only take 2 hours and 38 minutes.

While some TGVs arrive at the central train station (Avignon centre), most of the high=speed trains arrive at the Gare TGV, which is located just outside of the center of town but has a 10-minute shuttle bus which transports passengers from the train station to the city center.

For those traveling from London to the South of France, there is now a non-stop train with service from London to Avignon during the peak summer months. Eurostar (the company which also brings you high-speed train travel from London to Paris) now has a train that can get passengers from London’s city center to Avignon is just 7 hours.

>>Read more Train Travel in France or Getting from Paris to the South of France

By Car

If you decide to rent a car in France and make the drive from Paris to Avignon, the trip will take you significantly more time than the train. While driving is a good option for those looking to make stops along the way and enjoy the French countryside, the fastest way to get from Paris to Avignon is still definitely taking the train.

If you do chose to drive, take the A6 South to Lyon and then take the A7 south to Avignon. Follow the signs for Centre Ville. Keep in mind, that unless your hotel provides parking, you will likely have to pay about €6-€10 per day to park your car inside the ramparts.

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

By Plane

The Avignon-Caumont airport is located about 8 km southeast of Avignon. Although taking the train will probably take you less time than the 1 hour flight (when you account for transportation to and from the airport, security etc), there are several daily flights leaving from Paris’ Orly Airport to Avignon.

Unfortunately, another disadvantage to flying into Avignon is there is no public transportation between the airport and the center of town. Taxis from the airport to the city center cost about €15.

>>Read more about Flights in France

Bus

As I have written before, owing both to the efficient and easy to use train system and non-competition laws, France does not have a national bus system. While taking the bus between international destinations can be a good way to save money if you are traveling on a tight budget (Eurolines has many routes to/from Paris to various cities around Europe), there are no buses in France that travel between regions in France.

This means that those traveling from Paris to Avignon can not take the bus. Looks like you’ll be taking the train or renting a car.

If you are looking to travel by bus once you have arrived in Avignon to nearby locations, there is bus service between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Carpenteras, Marseilles, Nimes and Orange.

>>Read more about Bus Travel in France