Cheap travel for youth: Struggle amidst the abolition of rail passes
Affordable Long-Distance Travel in France: A Growing Trend
A growing number of travellers in France are turning to budget-friendly long-distance bus journeys, as demonstrated by Thomas and his partner Jade from Dijon. Last summer, the couple made use of the "pass rail," a monthly subscription that offered unlimited travel on regional TER lines and Intercity trains, but for their current journey from Paris to Lourdes, they are embarking on a 12-hour overnight bus trip.
The deregulation of intercity bus services in recent years has led to an increase in affordable coach travel options, connecting various cities across France. Typical fares for these long-distance trips range from around €5 to €30, depending on distance, route, and booking time. Operators like FlixBus, BlaBlaBus (formerly Ouibus), and others have expanded rapid, long-distance bus routes, promoting budget travel options as alternatives to trains or flights.
These buses offer modern amenities such as Wi-Fi and power outlets, making them competitive with trains and planes in comfort while often costing significantly less. For longer routes, such as Paris to Lyon, Marseille, or Bordeaux, fares can start as low as €5 to €15 if booked in advance and may rise up to about €30 for last-minute tickets or peak travel times.
Thomas and Jade arrived at Paris's Bercy bus station at 7 PM, having started their journey from Dijon in the afternoon. Their one-way bus fare for over 800 km of travel amounts to 40 euros, while a TGV from Dijon to Lourdes was not an option due to being double the price.
The "pass rail," which was not available for their current bus journey, was a monthly subscription costing 49 euros in 2024. It was only available in July and August of that year, with 235,000 young people aged 16 to 27 signing up for the service. Last summer, the couple utilised the "pass rail" to travel unlimited on regional TER lines and Intercity trains, making their travel methods more haphazard but also more budget-friendly.
As Thomas searches for an outlet at the Paris Bercy bus station, he and Jade are waiting for their bus to Lourdes, demonstrating that long-distance budget bus travel in France is a well-established and affordable mode of transport for many travellers.
- Delving deeper into their current journey, Thomas and Jade's choice of a 12-hour overnight bus trip from Paris to Lourdes underscores the appeal of budget-travel in France, particularly for long-distance travel.
- Moreover, as Thomas and Jade's example shows, the expansion of long-distance bus travel options, such as those offered by FlixBus, BlaBlaBus, and others, has transformed the landscape of affordable travel in France, providing an increasingly popular lifestyle choice for many.
