Compare Train Ticket Costs: Map shows point-to-point, one-way, 2nd-class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For 1st class fares, add 50%. Source: www.tgv.com.
Best Value: The France Rail Pass is a good value for three or more days of train travel. For just 15% more than the second-class price, the first-class version is affordable and gives you more options on busy trains. The France Rail Pass is cheaper than roundtrip Paris–Avignon train tickets at full fare. But if you only need a couple of trips and are ready to lock in travel times, advance purchase discounts for point-to-point train tickets (below) can save you more.
Reservations: On unreserved regional trains, such as between Paris and Normandy, rail pass holders can just hop on and find an open seat. TGV high-speed trains serve most main lines and international routes, require seat reservations, and limit places for rail pass holders. Book TGV as soon as you can commit to a date and time, available starting 90 days in advance. Two rates apply on domestic TGV: Any rail pass that covers France qualifies you to reserve a seat for €3-5 or $11-15, but seats at this price can sell out quickly, especially in second class. Once those are gone, travelers with a France Rail Pass (not a Eurail pass for two or more countries) can choose the Easy Access seat reservation for $27, simply paying more to get on a busy train. International trains have different price ranges and are particularly expensive toward Belgium (Thalys trains) and Italy (below). See more details about train schedules and train reservations.
On French domestic night trains (such as Paris to/from Nice, Hendaye, or Cerbere), four-passenger couchette compartments require a first-class ticket or rail pass, six-passenger couchettes accept second-class rail passes, and there are no private sleepers. On most international routes, second-class rail passes give you access to more sleeper choices, including doubles.
Paris-Italy Route News: Paris-Milan-Venice night trains no longer accept rail passes as of December 11, 2011. Buy the night train ticket separately and up to three months ahead for the best price. There is no direct Paris-Florence-Rome overnight service until mid-2012. Direct Paris-Lyon-Torino-Milan TGV daytime trains have new rules: Travelers with a France Rail Pass qualify for a seat reservation fee of $22 in 2nd class or $37 in 1st. The reservation fee has increased to $80 in 2nd class or $109 in 1st when using a Eurail-brand pass that covers France and at least one other country. Any rail pass that does not cover France (such as an Italy Eurail Pass) is not accepted on this train. Both rates have limited seats available and are not sold online. Daytime connections via Switzerland (e.g., transfering in Basel, Geneve, or Zürich) may now be the more economical choice for Eurail travelers with a Global or Select pass for all three countries. Flying between Paris and Italy can also save time and money (e.g., versus 13 hours by train Paris-Rome).
Private Trains: Any rail pass that covers France allows you a discounted ticket price on Eurostar trains to/from London. Passholders get 50% discounts on the private rail lines from Nice to Digne and on Corsica without using a counted flexipass travel day. Other bonuses are described in materials that come with the rail pass.
Two-Country Eurail Passes: Options later on this page work for those traveling between France and one neighbor: Benelux, Germany, Italy, Spain, or Switzerland (but not Britain).
| France Rail Pass | |||||||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Senior | 1st Class Saver | 1st Class Youth | 2nd Class Individual | 2nd Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth | ||
| 3 days in 1 month | $285 | $248 | $201 | $205 | $230 | $198 | $170 | ||
| Extra rail days (max 6) | $42-47 | $37-40 | $36-39 | $30-32 | $31-39 | $27-33 | $26-29 | ||
| Saverpass prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Senior passes are for travelers 60 and up, but choose the cheaper Saver rate if you have 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for those under 26. Kids 4-11 pay half of adult or saver fare; under 4 free. Prices subject to change. | |||||||||
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Unlike most countries, France discounts point-to-point train ticket prices in non-peak times (our map reflects peak-time fares). For instance, a direct Paris-Nice second-class ticket costs about $175 at "peak" fare or $145 at "normal" fare. The trip will cost more if you break it with stops along the way. Paris-Lyon costs $130 peak/$100 normal; Lyon-Avignon $70 peak/$55 normal; and Avignon-Nice $85 peak/$70 normal; which can add up to $285 for a leisurely Paris-Nice route. Advance purchase ticket discounts can be huge, with Paris-Nice prices starting as low as $50 peak/$30 normal, on sale starting 90 days in advance. International TGV, Thalys, and overnight trains also offer big advance ticket savings. The best deals have limited seat availability, sell out early, and have refund or exchange restrictions. See www.tgv.com for details or to order. Print tickets at home (a few fares) or pick up in a French train station.
The handy Paris Museum Pass is 25% cheaper in Paris (at most museums or FNAC stores) than if you buy it in the U.S. The overpriced Paris Visite transport card (several versions available) is 20% less at any Metro station in Paris, but we still would not buy one. For only $16, a carnet of 10 Metro tickets is your best local subway + bus value. The Passe Navigo Decouverte for $33 (plus $7 set up fee for the new electronic card) is good for a week of Metro and bus, valid Monday–Sunday. The few regional RER side trips you're likely to take are cheap and easy to purchase separately: Versailles $9 roundtrip, Disneyland or Charles de Gaulle Airport about $24 roundtrip, $12 each way.
While the France Rail Pass allows travel within one month, these Eurail passes offer a two-month window. Cost per day for a 4-day, 2-country Eurail pass is slightly more than for the single-country passes, but goes down as you add days. With separate single-country rail passes, you use a day of each pass when crossing a border, versus only one day when your rail pass covers the whole route of your trip.
| Benelux - France Eurail Pass | |||||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saver | 2nd Class Individual | 2nd Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth | ||
| 5 days in 2 months | $464 | $388 | $401 | $342 | $296 | ||
| 6 days in 2 months | $509 | $428 | $445 | $388 | $329 | ||
| 8 days in 2 months | $588 | $504 | $524 | $451 | $390 | ||
| 10 days in 2 months | $664 | $567 | $599 | $512 | $448 | ||
| Benelux = Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. Saver prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for travelers under age 26 only. Kids 4–11 pay half of adult or saver fare; under 4 free. Prices subject to change. | |||||||
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| France-Germany Eurail Pass | |||||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saver | 2nd Class Individual | 2nd Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth | ||
| 4 days in 2 months | $429 | $388 | $388 | $351 | $301 | ||
| 5 days in 2 months | $475 | $428 | $428 | $386 | $332 | ||
| 6 days in 2 months | $520 | $469 | $469 | $416 | $367 | ||
| 8 days in 2 months | $609 | $550 | $550 | $478 | $429 | ||
| 10 days in 2 months | $699 | $631 | $631 | $550 | $496 | ||
| Saver prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for travelers under age 26 only. Kids 4–11 pay half of adult or saver fare; under 4 free. Prices subject to change. | |||||||
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Before choosing a France-Germany pass, compare the three-country Selectpass at similar prices and see the note on that page about crossing Belgium.
| France-Italy Eurail Pass | |||||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saver | 2nd Class Individual | 2nd Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth | ||
| 4 days in 2 months | $401 | $343 | $343 | $293 | $261 | ||
| Extra rail days (max 6) | $45-50 | $38-40 | $38-40 | $31-37 | $28-32 | ||
| Saver prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for travelers under age 26 only. Kids 4–11 pay half of adult or saver fare; under 4 free. Extra day prices approximate. Prices subject to change. | |||||||
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Paris-Italy night trains no longer accept rail passes and daytime Paris-Lyon-Torino-Milan TGV reservation prices are high (see top of page). Daytime train connections from Paris to Italy via Switzerland (e.g., connecting in Basel, Geneve, or Zürich) cost an additional $60-80 in second class if Switzerland is not covered by your rail pass.
| France-Spain Eurail Pass | |||||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saver | 2nd Class Individual | 2nd Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth | ||
| 4 days in 2 months | $401 | $343 | $343 | $293 | $261 | ||
| Extra rail days (max 6) | $45-50 | $38-40 | $38-40 | $31-37 | $28-32 | ||
| Saver prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for travelers under age 26 only. Kids 4–11 pay half of adult or saver fare; under 4 free. Extra day prices approximate. Prices subject to change. | |||||||
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If you're only dipping into a bit of Spain, you may not need the France-Spain Eurail pass. For instance, a ticket from the French border at Cerbere to Barcelona costs only $35. From the border at Hendaye to Madrid costs $75, but if you cover this ground via the fancy Paris–Madrid "Elipsos" night train, the same rail pass holder sleeper rates ($70 and up) apply whether your rail pass covers one or both countries.
| France-Switzerland Eurail Pass | |||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth | ||
| 4 days in 2 months | $426 | $363 | $301 | ||
| Extra rail days (max 6) | $37-57 | $34-51 | $31-35 | ||
| Covers many Swiss boats as well as trains. See our Switzerland page for an outline of coverage. Saver prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for travelers under 26 only. Kids 4–11 pay half of adult or saver fare; under 4 free. Prices subject to change. | |||||
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If your trip is really Swiss-focused with just one train ride in France (e.g., Paris-Basel for $150, or less with advance-purchase discount ticket), consider a Swiss Pass plus a separate, reserved French train ticket. If you need more of France, you probably want the two-country Eurail pass.
