Travelling by bus in France is cheap. In this article, we will see the different buses you can use and the different ways to buy a bus ticket. Let’s go!
🚌 Bus in France
BlaBlaCar Bus
Flixbus Bus
Since 2015, thanks to Emmanuel Macron, the long-distance bus is again an option to travel in France. It is quite a cheap and safe option to travel by bus.
The seats offered on the long-distance bus in Europe are quite classic. If you take a night bus, you will also be in these seats: unfortunately, you won’t be able to find the bed seats you can find in buses operated in South America or Asia.
Here are the main bus companies operating in France:
🇫🇷 The worldwide leader in carpooling operating buses
ℹ️ Information
BlaBlaCar Bus
BlaBlaCar Bus is operated by BlaBlaCar, the worldwide leader in carpooling. They operate in France, Germany Spain, and Italy, where BlaBlaCar is also quite popular with carpooling.
🌐 Website
🇩🇪 The bus company leader in Europe
ℹ️ Information
Flixbus Bus
Flixbus is the bus company leader in Europe. They operate in many countries in Europe and in the US.
🌐 Website
🛒 How to Buy Your Tickets
You can buy your bus tickets directly with Flixbus and BlaBlaCar mobile applications. However, you usually compare the different buses available no matter which company is running them. Here are the different options to buy your bus tickets in France:
📱 Book easily your train and bus tickets in Europe
ℹ️ Information
Trainline: Booking your Train Ticket
Trainline: Booking your Bus Ticket
Trainline helps you book your train and bus tickets in Europe easily, within the same app.
You will be able to see the price in the different classes.
You will even be able to add your loyalty and railcards to see the discount available with them.
I recommend to use this app, as you will be able to centralize all your train and bus tickets you will buy in Europe.
🌐 Website
Long-distance bus stations
🚏 The physical way to get your ticket
⚠️ Prefer to buy online if possible, it might be cheaper, and more convenient
ℹ️ Information
In some bus stations, you will be able to buy your bus tickets in:
- the ticket office
- the ticket vending machine
Bus driver
🚌 Buy your ticket directly from the bus driver
⚠️ Prefer to buy online if possible, it might be cheaper, and more convenient
ℹ️ Information
When the bus arrives, you will be able to buy your ticket directly from the bus driver.
🌐 I will advise you to book in priority online if you can. The price can rise during the last day before the trip.
👍 The Best Tips to Buy Your Tickets
💳 Pay with a premium card
🧳 Get a free travel insurance
Visa Premier Card
Visa Infinite Card
Mastercard Gold Card
Mastercard World Elite Card
When I pay for my bus tickets, I always use a premium credit/debit card (ex: Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold, Visa Infinite, Mastercard Gold Elite), in order to be covered by the travel insurance of the card.
💡 You don’t need to subscribe anymore to the travel insurance offered by the broker you book your ticket with.
Here is a few examples of what travel insurance covers:
- 🧳 Delayed luggage
- 🧳 Lost/stolen/damaged luggage
- ✈️ Delayed flights
- ❌ Cancelled/Modified/Interrupted travel
- 🚑 Medical transport/repatriation assistance abroad
- 🏥 Medical assistance abroad
⚠️ To be covered by the card travel insurance, you need to:
1. Pay your ticket with the premium card.
2. If you have an issue, you need to warn the premium card insurance company as soon as possible, before spending on anything.
Conclusion
Now you know all the tips to buy bus tickets in France. Enjoy your trip!