I didn’t budget train trips in my summer experience. I didn’t think I’d do a lot of traveling as I would not have time, but then, I am too restless to stay in one place. Weekend trips and short getaways became very common.
In France, it is easy to travel as long as you have money. Foreigners can easily rent a car, which is a bit pricey, but provides more flexibility. Then, there are buses (like FlixBus, Europe’s biggest bus operator), and trains. The trains are especially efficient because they are faster than buses (super speedy), have lots of direct routes with shortest connections, and provide wonderful comfort.
The problem is that trains are expensive. Very expensive. A trip in a high-speed train that covers around 300 kilometers costs around 100 Euros. Smaller trains are cheaper, but expect to pay something around 50 Euros for a one-way ticket. There are also short-distance trains, where cost would vary from around 5 to 10 euros.
Sometimes train workers go on strike. So be aware of that, too. An expensive ticket does not guarantee that the train will show up. The train workers are efficient and transparent, so they inform about strikes in advance – and you can play your journey in-between train interruptions.
Ukrainian citizens are allowed to travel on some trains for free. This is because of Russian invasion into Ukraine, and the help that the French government is providing to Ukrainian citizens. Not every municipality or a community is aware of that, but it is possible to get free tickets when you know your rights.
I got myself two free train tickets this way. I didn’t care about the destination too much as long as I got to enjoy the view as I went. I figured that as long as I get to see something new, I can go anywhere.
I visited Nantes, Paris, and Strasbourg this way. For some tickets, I decided to pay (I felt awkward getting free tickets) – but I was happy I saved up some money on the two tickets I got with my passport.
There are lots of train discounts for students in France. If you are younger than 26, you pay only a small fraction of the price, which makes travels much more affordable. For people who plan to stay in France for a very long time, there is an option to purchase a long-term train ticket which allows you to travel on a certain route for less money. Overall, there are many options.
I encourage people to do small or longer trips if they can. There is something about the train, its typical noise and movements that makes the experience so memorable.