Traveling in France: the train is becoming the economical option compared to flying for direct routes, while the car remains more advantageous for families.

IN BRIEF The train is more economical than the plane for direct routes in France. The plane remains competitive for connections and for traveling in Europe. The car is often the most advantageous option for families. The train remains the most ecological solution for long-distance travel. Initiatives are proposed to rebalance competition between modes of transport: family deals, strengthening railway lines, supporting night trains.

In France, travel habits are evolving under the impetus of economic and environmental concerns. For direct routes, the train is now the most cost-effective option compared to the plane, while the car continues to be the preferred solution for families, especially during vacation trips. This article analyzes the differences in cost and advantages between these modes of transport, incorporating the challenges related to ecological transition.

The train, an economical choice for direct routes

Within French territory, the train has become the most competitive solution for direct travel, primarily due to the density of the railway network connecting major cities, particularly around Paris. According to analyses, in 60% of cases for summer travel, the train ticket costs, on average, twice as much less than the plane for a one-way trip on radial connections. The financial gain is explained by the regularity of the service, the absence of significant additional costs, and the reduced waiting times at the station compared to airports.

This advantage diminishes on cross connections (province to province), where the need for connections increases costs and travel times. In these situations, the plane often becomes more affordable again, with an average price reduction of 37% compared to the train. The rail offer remains very focused on Paris and struggles to compete with the aviation sector on non-radial or international routes, as illustrated by the price discrepancies between France and European destinations (for example, a train ticket from Paris to Rome remains much more expensive than its air counterpart).

The car, an optimal solution for families

While the train stands out for the majority of individual travelers or couples on direct routes, the car remains the ideal means of transportation for families. When transporting several passengers, especially during vacation departures, it significantly reduces the cost per person. On average, one-third of family trips are made at a lower rate by car, with a reduction that can reach 44% compared to the plane, and 30% compared to the train. Flexibility, the absence of fixed schedules, and the ease of transporting luggage also favor cars for households with multiple members.

This trend is particularly observed during long school vacation periods, where using the car offers simplified management of breaks and routes tailored to the needs of children and teenagers. To organize custom vacations in France, the car thus combines travel autonomy and savings, especially in light of rising train ticket prices on certain provincial routes as peak holiday periods approach.

Between efficiency, accessibility, and ecological issues

If the train is making progress in terms of price competitiveness on direct routes, its universal accessibility remains a goal to achieve. Rebalancing measures are recommended to enhance its attractiveness, particularly through the development of cross services, the extension of the ban on domestic flights, as well as favorable pricing policies for families. For long-distance trips, and in the context of climate emergency, the train remains by far the most virtuous means of transport, with an emission of 2.9 g of CO2 per passenger-kilometer in TGV, compared to 331 g for the plane and a minimum of 64 g for a full car.

Initiatives such as the revival of night trains or the establishment of subsidized tickets at reduced rates could help make rail transport more universal and competitive, thereby limiting the negative externalities of road and air travel. For a panorama of other travel and mobility practices, feel free to consult these complementary articles on the regulation of travel in South Korea, summer innovations in Morocco and Capri, or trends in travel to Brazil in 2025.

Train or plane for traveling in Europe?

While the train dominates the French domestic market on direct routes, the situation often reverses as soon as one crosses the borders. On routes like Paris-Rome or Paris-Barcelona, the cost of the train is, on average, 2.5 times higher than that of the plane. This difference is explained by several factors, including the level of railway tolls, the tax benefits on kerosene, and the lack of competitive options on European routes. In order to encourage modal shift in favor of rail, some stakeholders seek a fiscal rebalancing through increased taxes on plane tickets and the creation of subsidized train tickets.

For even more ideas and inspiration around travel in France or internationally, find useful resources on destinations such as Tennessee or mobility solutions for the Algerian diaspora.