RAIL PASSES
BackpackFrance offer passes through Europrail and Rail Connection to destinations in Europe.

The Eurail pass is considered by many as the best option for travelling through Europe, and France is one of the 17 countries where you can use it. It is especially good for those with limited time. There are 15, 21, 30 and 60 day passes available and prices vary depending on the countries chosen for travel. Discounts are available for those under 26 years.

There are also other options for travelling on French Trains. These include the Carte 12-25 which entitles you to reduced prices on tickets, with discounts ranging from 25% to 50%. This discount card costs €43 and is available to young people aged between 12 and 25 years. They are available from the ticket counter and you will need to bring an ID photo with you when you buy this card. The France Rail Pass
is a flexi-pass that entitles the holder to four to 10 days of unlimited rail travel in France within a one month period. This pass can be purchased at main train stations but is cheaper purchased abroad. The France Youth Pass is for people who have not reached their 26th birthday on the first day of travel. Contact Rail Europe for more details. The France Rail Pass Youth is similar to the France Rail Pass but it offers cheaper fares, although it is restricted to travellers aged 25 or younger. It entitles the holder to four to 10 days of unlimited rail travel in France within a one month period

Make sure you buy your pass before you leave for Europe. Also remember that rail passes do not guarantee seats on trains. You still need to book the seats ahead of time as French trains, especially the high-speed ones, are often crowded.

BUS PASSES
You may also consider getting a bus pass through Bus About Eurobus or Eurolines.

Eurolines is the largest network of international buses in Europe and they operate through France. In Paris they operate from the Gare Routière Eurolines in Bagnolet (mètro: Gallieni).

People under 26 years are around 10% less than the adult full fare. There are several circular explorer routes and passes available. Individual tickets are available on all routes with a number of circuits available allowing the traveller to travel along a pre-determined circular route taking in various destinations along the way. These passes are supplemented by the more flexible Eurolines pass. The Eurolines pass is probably the best travel deal in Europe allowing unlimited travel between 46 destinations in 26 countries on the Eurolines network. This pass is great value particularly during summer when it is a cheaper travel option than the equivalent Busabout pass. For more information visit the website at www.eurolines.com

Busabout busabout.info@virgin.net is another pass option for travellers and will also book accommodation for you in advance. However most of these are camping sites outside major towns. Eurobus also operates providing a hop on and off service. Busabout buses serve the following French destinations - Avignon, Bordeaux, Nice, Paris and Tours.

LOCAL TRANSPORT
Within each city there are daily, several day, weekly or monthly passes for local transport. Check our city guides for more details or email us to ask at france@backpackglobe.com

DRIVING
Auto Europe offers worldwide car rental services including coverage of France. They also have scheduled air from the USA to Europe, 2,000+ three and four star hotels, prestige and sports car rentals, hotel bookings, chauffeur drive and transfer services, European and South Pacific Motorhome Rentals, and European cellular phone rentals.