EGIDE
Student's guide > Traveling in France
All the cities where the GEM schools are situated have an efficient bus and/or tram/metro network to go downtown and get around. Season tickets and student travel passes make traveling on public transport quite cheap.
You might choose to bring or buy a bicycle on arrival in France. Most cities are making efforts to develop cycling, in order to fight against pollution and jams. Bicycle lanes are expanding even if the network is not very dense in some cities.
Taxi rates are quite expensive for students. However, the fares are strictly regulated and taxicabs are equipped with meters that guarantee the exactness of the fare for the journey.
The SNCF is the company that ensures rail transport in France. Trains are the most practical way to travel from one city to another, especially since most train stations are right in the center of town.
The TGV (High Speed Train), has considerably reduced traveling time between major cities: Paris-Lyon in 2 hours; Paris-Nantes in 2 hours, Paris-Saint-Etienne in 3 hours, Paris-London (by Eurostar, which uses the tunnel under the English channel) in 2 hours and 35 minutes, Paris-Marseille in 3 hours...
Preferential rates are available for students and if you book in advance.