Getting There by Air
Main international ariports:
Paris - Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - located 23km (14 miles) northeast of the city. Transportation to and from the airport by coaches, taxis and by train on the RER B line or SNCF with connecting ADP shuttle bus. Airport facilities include: duty-free shops, banks, money exchange, car rental.
Paris-Orly (ORY) - located 14km (9 miles) south of the city. Transportation to and from the airport: coaches and buses, taxis or train (RER B and C line). Airport facilities include: duty-free shops, banks, money exchange, car rental.
Lyon (LYS) (Lyon-Saint-Exupéry) - located 25km (15 miles) east of the city. Transportation to and from the airport by coaches or taxis. Airport facilities include: duty-free shops, banks, money exchange, car rental.
Marseille (MRS) (Marseille-Marignane) - located 30km (19 miles) northwest of the city. Transportation to and from the airport by coaches or taxis. Airport facilities include: duty-free shops, banks, money exchange, car rental.
International airlines providing connections to France include:
Aer Lingus (EI) - Dublin, Air Canada (AC) - Toronto, Alitalia (AZ) - Rome, American Airlines (AA) - Dallas, Austrian Airlines (OS) - Vienna, BMI BritishMidland (BD) - London, British Airways (BA) - London, Cathay Pacific (CX) - Hong Kong, Continental Airlines (CO) - Houston, Iberia (IB) - Madrid, KLM (KL) - Amsterdam, Lufthansa (LH) - Frankfurt, Olympic Airlines (OA) - Athens, Qantas Airways (QF) - Sydney, Singapore Airlines (SQ) - Singapore,
South African Airways (SA) - Johannesburg, Thai Airways International (TG) - Bangkok.
There are several, popular budget carriers operating flights into France,
particularly from other European and also North African destinations. Recommended option is to do some research before buying a ticket - it may result in significant savings.
Getting There by Water
There are many car and passenger ferries connecting France with the UK, the Channel Islands and Ireland on the north, Spain and UK on the southwest coast, Italy and North Africa - Tunisia, Algeria & Morocco - on the south.
Getting There by Train
France is connected by rail network with every country in Europe.
Eurostar provides direct connections from London to Paris through the Channel Tunnel - the journey takes just 2 hours 15 minutes. High-speed Eurotunnel Shuttle trains connect Calais in northern France with Folkestone in the UK. It is a very convenient and inexpensive way of crossing the Chanel - prices start from UK£49 one way for a car including all passengers (LPG and CNG tanks are not permitted).
If you plan travel around France and other European countries more extensively by train, there are many European train passes available: Eurail passes are available to visitors from non-European countries, InterRail and Eurodomino passes are for European residents only.
Getting Around by Train
France has a very efficient, state-of-the-art train system that connect all major cities and towns. Many of the main lines are serviced by high speed TGV tranis (travel speed - 300 km/h or 185 mph). High-speed trains also connect France with neighboring countries - UK (London), Belgium (Brussels), Holland (Amsterdam) and Switzerland (Geneva).
Getting Around by Bus
Bus travel is only preferable on short distances, particularly in rural areas.
Long distance, domestic bus services are very limited, mostly due to the excellent rail network.
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