Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

200  FR ANCE AND THE L OW C OUNTRIES

Travel Information passenger service, Eurostar, links
London and Paris (2.5 hrs).
France has highly advanced transportation systems, with Paris
at the hub of its air, railroad, and road networks. Paris’s two Getting Around Paris
main airports have direct flights to North America, Africa, Japan,
and the rest of Europe. The city’s six major railroad stations Central Paris is compact, and the
best way to get around is often
connect it to some 6,000 destinations in France, and provide to walk. Public trans portation in
links to the whole of Europe. An extensive, well-developed the city is good, however, with an
road network makes it easy to reach all parts of the country efficient metro (subway) system,
by car or bus. France is also well connected by sea, with frequent buses, and a commu­
frequent ferry crossings from the UK to ports on the Channel. ter train service (RER). These are
all operated by the Paris
transportation company, RATP.
There are many types of ticket
Flying to France Domestic Flights
available, sold at metro and RER
France is served by nearly all There are a number of domestic stations, and most can be used
international airlines. Paris is the airlines that fly between the cities on any RATP service, including
major airline destination in of France, some of which only buses. Single bus tickets can
France, but there are a number of operate within one region; others also be bought from the driver
other international airports across also fly to French­speaking coun­ when boarding. All tickets used
the country. Some airports near tries, with Air France offering the on buses must be stamped in
the border, such as Geneva, Basle, largest number of routes. Hop is a the machine on board.
and Luxembourg, can also be French airline offering low­cost Single RATP tickets are valid in
used for destinations in France. internal flights. However, unless metro/RER zones 1 or 2, or for
The main French airline is Air you are eligible for discounts, you any bus journey. Carnets (books
France, which has services to may find it cheaper and faster to of ten single tickets), are more
major cities across the world. The travel on high­speed trains, economical if you plan to make
main British airline with regular given the time it can take to a number of journeys. Various
flights to France is British reach the airports. passes are also available, which
Airways. Inexpensive flights entitle you to unlimited travel
from the UK to various French Ferry Services in certain zones for a set
destinations are available from number of days.
carriers such as easyJet, Flybe, There are several crossings Vélib is a self­service bike
and Ryanair. Major airlines between the UK and French hire scheme in Paris. Users can
including American Airlines, ports. P&O Ferries operates hire a bike from one station and
Delta, and United operate between Dover and Calais, with return it to another.
flights from the United States. frequent crossings (75–90 mins).
Air Canada flies from several Brittany Ferries runs a 9­hour
cities in Canada, and Qantas service from Portsmouth to Rail Travel
provides flights from Australia St­Malo, a 6­hour service from France has always been known
and New Zealand. Portsmouth to Caen, a 3­hour for the punctuality of its trains.
service from Poole or The French state railroad, the
Portsmouth to Cherbourg, a Société Nationale des Chemins
Air Fares 6­hour service from Plymouth to de Fer (SNCF), provides an
Airline fares are at their highest Roscoff, and a 4­hour crossing excellent railroad network
during the peak summer season from Portsmouth to Le Havre. which covers nearly all of
in France, usually from July to LD Lines runs an 8­hour France. The fastest services are
September. Fierce competition overnight service from Ports­ provided by the high­speed TGV
between airlines, however, means mouth to Le Havre. Transmanche (Trains à Grande Vitesse) trains,
there are often discounts on offer. Ferries’ route between which link most major cities.
APEX fares are booked in Newhaven and Dieppe takes Overnight services are popular
advance. They cannot be about 3 hours. Norfolkline has in France, and most long­distance
changed or canceled without a 2­hour crossing from Dover trains have couchettes (bunks),
penalty and there are also to Dunkerque. which you must reserve for a fee.
minimum and maximum stay Reservations are also compulsory
requirements. Packages are also for all TGV services, trains on
worth considering, as airlines Channel Tunnel public holidays, and for a siège
and tour operators can put The Channel Tunnel (Tunnel sous inclinable (reclinable seat).
together a great range of La Manche) was inaugurated in Information on the various train
flexible deals to suit your needs. 1994. A car­carrying shuttle services and fares is available
These can include car rental and service, which is operated by from the Voyages-SNCF office
train travel, enabling you to Eurotunnel, runs between in London. In France, leaflets are
continue overland. Folkestone and Calais. The available at most stations. There

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