France
Approximate point-to-point one-way 2nd class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a railpass will save you money. For 1st class rail fares, add 50%. Source: www.sncf.com.
The France Flexipass is a good value for three or more days of train travel. For just 15% more than the second class price, the first class pass is affordable and gives you more options on crowded trains. The pass is cheaper than roundtrip Paris–Avignon tickets at full fare. But if you only need a couple of trips and are ready to lock in travel times, France's advance purchase discounts for point-to-point tickets (below) can save you more.
TGV high-speed trains serve most main lines and require seat reservations that cost about $4 each in France or $11 in the U.S. It's wise to book TGV or international trains as soon as you can commit to a date and time. Reservations can be made starting 90 days in advance of travel. The number of places for passholders is limited and the last 60 - 100 (out of 360 or 400) seats on TGV are generally not available to passholders. Where reservations are not required (such as between Paris and Normandy), passholders can just hop on and find an open seat.
On French domestic night trains (such as Paris to/from Nice, Hendaye, or Cerbere), four-passenger couchette compartments require a first-class ticket or pass, six-passenger couchettes accept second-class passes, and there are no private sleepers. Doubles on most international routes accept second-class passes.
Passholders can get a discounted rate on the Eurostar "Chunnel" train to and from London.
Two-country passes (below) work for those traveling between France and one neighbor: Benelux, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, or Spain (but not Britain).
| France Railpass | |||||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Senior | 1st Class Saver | 1st ClassYouth | 2nd Class Individual | 2nd Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth |
| 3 days in 1 month | $326 | $297 | $278 | $241 | $276 | $238 | $205 |
| Extra rail days (max 6) | $47 | $42 | $40 | $33 | $40 | $33 | $30 |
| Saverpass prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Senior passes are for travelers 60 and up; 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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Point-to-Point Deals in France
Unlike most countries, France discounts point-to-point ticket prices in non-peak times (our map reflects peak-time fares). For instance, a direct Paris–Nice second-class ticket costs about $160 at "peak" fare or $135 at "normal" fare. The trip will cost more if you break it with stops along the way. Paris–Lyon costs $110 peak/$90 normal; Lyon–Avignon $60 peak/$45 normal; and Avignon–Nice $75 peak/$65 normal; which can add up to $245 for a leisurely Paris–Nice route. Kids, youths, seniors, couples, roundtrip travelers, and those able to purchase at least 8 or 30 days ahead can save more. The best deals have limited seat availability, sell out early, and have refund or exchange restrictions. See www.sncf.com for details or to order. This address is for the French version of the site. Print tickets at home (a few fares) or pick up in the station. Say that you live in France and enter a French hotel address for records only, not for delivery. If you click the English link, you'll be directed to choose a type of train first, such as TGV.
Good Deals in Paris
The handy Paris Museum Pass is 20% cheaper in Paris (at most museums or Metro stops) than if you buy it in the U.S. The overpriced Paris Visite transport card (several versions available) is 35% less at any Metro station in Paris. For only $14, a carnet of 10 Metro tickets is your best local subway + bus value. The Carte Orange or Navigo Decouverte for $24 (plus $7 set up fee for the new electornic 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 $7 roundtrip, Disneyland or Charles de Gaulle Airport about $20 roundtrip, $10 each way.
France Two-Country Passes
These passes allow you to combine travel in France with travel in Benelux, Germany, Italy, Spain, or Switzerland over a two-month period. If you'd like to mix in different or additional countries, get the Selectpass instead.
Cost per day for a 4-day, 2-country pass is slightly more than for the single-country passes, but goes down as you add days. With separate single-country passes, you use a day of each pass when crossing a border, versus only one day of a combo pass. You can conveniently add extra days to the combo pass for the same price as a second-class Florence–Rome ticket. Still, if your trip is focused on Italy, you may save money by buying point-to-point tickets in Europe. For instance, an open-jaws trip on the route Paris–Milan–Venice–Florence–Rome costs about $290 for second-class daytime tickets. Returning from Rome to Paris adds another $150 and makes the France-Italy pass worthwhile.
| France-Italy Pass | |||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saver | 2nd Class Individual | 2nd Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth |
| 4 days in 2 months | $380 | $331 | $331 | $293 | $249 |
| Extra rail days (max 6) | $44 | $38 | $38 | $33 | $30 |
| 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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Be aware of your route. Many daytime connections from Paris to Italy pass through Switzerland (an additional $60 second class or $90 first class if not covered by your pass). Routes via Nice, Torino, or Modane will bypass Switzerland (consult a good timetable for details). Direct Paris-Italy day or night trains are covered by the pass, regardless of their route.
| France-Switzerland Pass | |||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth |
| 4 days in 2 months | $399 | $340 | $281 |
| Extra rail days (max 6) | $45 | $39 | $31 |
| 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. Covers many Swiss boats as well as trains. See our Switzerland page for an outline of bonuses. Prices subject to change. | |||
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| France-Spain Pass | |||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saver | 2nd Class Individual | 2nd Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth |
| 4 days in 2 months | $380 | $331 | $331 | $293 | $249 |
| Extra rail days (max 6) | $44 | $38 | $38 | $33 | $30 |
| 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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If you're only dipping into a bit of Spain, you may not need the France-Spain pass. For instance, a ticket from the French border at Cerbere to Barcelona costs only $30. From the border at Hendaye to Madrid costs $55, but if you cover this ground via the fancy Paris–Madrid "Elipsos" night train, the same passholder fares ($70 and up) apply whether your pass covers one or both countries.
| France-Germany Pass | |||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saver | 2nd Class Individual | 2nd Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth |
| 4 days in 2 months | $409 | $369 | $369 | $333 | $286 |
| 5 days in 2 months | $453 | $406 | $406 | $364 | $317 |
| 6 days in 2 months | $496 | $446 | $446 | $395 | $348 |
| 8 days in 2 months | $582 | $522 | $522 | $456 | $409 |
| 10 days in 2 months | $667 | $599 | $599 | $519 | $472 |
| 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.
| Benelux - France Pass | |||||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saver | 2nd Class Individual | 2nd Class Saver | 2nd Class Youth |
| 4 days in 2 months | $366 | $312 | $322 | $275 | $239 |
| 5 days in 2 months | $402 | $342 | $359 | $307 | $268 |
| 6 days in 2 months | $441 | $375 | $395 | $336 | $300 |
| 8 days in 2 months | $514 | $437 | $470 | $401 | $359 |
| 10 days in 2 months | $589 | $500 | $545 | $463 | $418 |
| 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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For a France-focused trip with a one-way hop to Brussels, this pass is cheaper than a France-only pass plus an extra ticket on Thalys.