Tours is one of the most logistically straightforward French cities to visit: the TGV from Paris-Montparnasse takes 55 minutes, the city center is walkable end to end, and most residents under 40 speak enough English for basic tourist interactions. That said, a few practical details make the difference between a smooth trip and avoidable friction. This guide covers transport from Tours Val de Loire Airport, train connections, getting around the city, tipping norms, safety, and the practical questions that do not fit neatly into a weather or hotel guide. For accommodation picks by neighborhood, see our Where to Stay in Tours guide.
Tours Travel Tips: Getting There
By Train (TGV / TER)
Tours has two main stations: Gare de Tours (central, all TGV and most TER services) and Gare de Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (4 km east, some TGVs stop here instead). High-speed TGV trains from Paris-Montparnasse reach Tours in 55 to 70 minutes, with departures roughly every hour from 6:00 to 21:00. A standard second-class ticket costs EUR 35 to EUR 55 when booked 2 to 3 weeks ahead on sncf-connect.com, rising to EUR 60 to EUR 85 for last-minute bookings. The TER regional trains connect Tours to Orléans (60 minutes, EUR 15), Angers (55 minutes, EUR 18), and Nantes (90 minutes, EUR 27), as well as the château towns of Amboise (20 minutes, EUR 7) and Chenonceaux (25 minutes, EUR 9). Validate your TER ticket at the yellow compostage machines on the platform before boarding; TGV tickets do not require validation. For additional planning, see our Tours weather by month.
By Air (Tours Val de Loire Airport, TUF)
Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF) sits 6 km northeast of the city center. It is a small airport with limited scheduled flights: Ryanair operates year-round routes to London Stansted, Porto, and Marrakech, with seasonal summer additions to Dublin and Marseille. The airport has no train connection. The Fil Bleu bus line 2 connects the airport to central Tours (Place Jean Jaurès) in about 20 minutes for EUR 1.60. A taxi from the airport to the city center costs EUR 20 to EUR 25 and takes 10 to 15 minutes. For practical purposes, most international visitors fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and take the TGV from the airport’s integrated train station to Tours in about 2 hours (one change at Massy or St-Pierre-des-Corps). For additional planning, see our best time to visit Tours.
By Car
Tours sits at the junction of the A10 (Paris to Bordeaux) and A85 (Angers to Vierzon) autoroutes, roughly 2 hours 30 minutes from Paris by car. Driving into Vieux Tours is not recommended: most old town streets are pedestrianized or one-way with minimal parking. The best strategy is to park at one of the park-and-ride lots (P+R) on the tram line: P+R Vaucanson (north, free with tram ticket), P+R Fac 2 Lions (south, free), or use the underground parking at Place Anatole France or Gare de Tours (EUR 1.50 to EUR 2 per hour, EUR 15 to EUR 20 per day). On-street parking in central Tours uses the PayByPhone app (zone 7810) at EUR 1.40 to EUR 2 per hour, with a 2-hour maximum in most old town zones. For additional planning, see our things to do in Tours.
Tours Travel Tips: Getting Around Tours
Walking
Tours’ city center is compact and largely flat. You can walk from the Gare de Tours to Place Plumereau in 10 minutes, from Place Plumereau to the cathedral in 5 minutes, and from the cathedral to Les Halles in 3 minutes. Most visitors can cover the entire old town on foot and never need public transport. The only significant walk is to the Jardin Botanique (15 to 20 minutes southwest of Vieux Tours) or across the Pont Wilson to Saint-Symphorien (10 to 15 minutes). For additional planning, see our Tours events and festivals.
Tram (Line A)
Tours’ single tram line (Line A) runs north to south through the city center from Vaucanson in the north to Lycée Jean Monnet in the south, with a stop at Place Jean Jaurès (central, near the train station and Les Halles) and at Gare de Tours. A single ticket costs EUR 1.60 and is valid for 1 hour including transfers to buses. A 10-trip carnet costs EUR 13.50. Tickets are available from vending machines at all tram stops (touchscreen, accepts cards and coins) and on the Fil Bleu mobile app. The tram runs from approximately 5:00 to 0:30 (until 1:30 on Friday and Saturday nights). For additional planning, see our best neighborhoods in Tours.
Bus (Fil Bleu)
The Fil Bleu bus network covers the city and suburbs with about 20 routes. For visitors, the most useful lines are bus 2 (airport to city center), bus 32 (Gare de Tours to Villandry, 30 minutes), and bus C (Gare de Tours to the Jardin Botanique). Buses use the same EUR 1.60 ticket as the tram. Validate your ticket on board by inserting it into the yellow machine near the driver. Timetables and real-time arrival info are on the Fil Bleu app.
Cycling
Tours is one of the most bike-friendly cities in France, with dedicated cycle lanes on most major streets and the Loire à Vélo path along the river. The city-run VéloTours bike-share scheme has about 40 stations across the city. A one-day pass costs EUR 1.50 plus EUR 0.50 per 30 minutes of use (first 30 minutes free with a pass). For longer rides to châteaux, rent from a specialist shop like Détours de Loire (35 Rue de la Fuye, near the station): EUR 15 to EUR 20 per day for a hybrid bike, EUR 35 to EUR 45 for an e-bike.
Tours Travel Tips: Practical Information
Money and Tipping
France uses the euro (EUR). Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere, including at market stalls and small cafes. American Express is less widely accepted than Visa and Mastercard. ATMs (distributeurs) are plentiful in central Tours, particularly on Rue Nationale and around Place Jean Jaurès. Tipping is not required (a 15 percent service charge is included in all restaurant bills by law), but rounding up the bill by EUR 1 to EUR 3 in cafes or leaving 5 to 10 percent for exceptional restaurant service is appreciated. For taxi drivers, rounding to the nearest EUR 5 is standard.
Safety
Tours is a safe city by any standard. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The standard precautions apply: watch for pickpockets in crowded areas (the Christmas market, Vitiloire, and around the station), do not leave phones or wallets on cafe tables facing the street, and avoid the area immediately south of the Gare de Tours (Rue de la Fuye toward Place du Général Leclerc) late at night, where isolated incidents of harassment have been reported. The old town and Saint-Symphorien are perfectly safe to walk at any hour. Emergency number: dial 112 for all emergency services (police, ambulance, fire). The central police station (Commissariat de Police) is at 21 Rue de la Victoire.
Language
French is the sole official language. In central Tours, most hospitality workers under 40 speak functional English, and menus in tourist-oriented restaurants are typically bilingual. In smaller neighborhood cafes, bakeries, and at the Les Halles market stalls, English is less common, and a few words of French go a long way. Learn the basics: “Bonjour” (hello, always say this when entering a shop or restaurant), “Merci” (thank you), “S’il vous plaît” (please), “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” (the check, please). The French are formal about greetings: starting any interaction without “Bonjour” is considered rude, and you should say it immediately upon entering a shop or approaching a counter.
Tap Water
Tap water in Tours is safe to drink and of good quality. Restaurants will serve a carafe d’eau (pitcher of tap water) for free if you ask. Bottled water is widely available but unnecessary.
Opening Hours
Most shops in central Tours open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 or 10:00 to 19:00, with a lunch closure from 12:00 to 14:00 common in smaller independent shops. Supermarkets (Carrefour City on Rue Nationale, Monoprix on Rue de Bordeaux) stay open through lunch and until 21:00 or 22:00. Sunday closures are widespread: most shops, the Les Halles market, and many restaurants close. The exceptions are boulangeries (open Sunday morning), some cafes in Vieux Tours, and restaurants near the cathedral. Museums typically close on Tuesdays. Châteaux in the Loire Valley are generally open daily from April through October and closed one weekday (often Monday or Tuesday) from November through March.
Tours Travel Tips: Suggested Hotels in Tours
Les Trésorières (Luxury)
This five-star boutique hotel in a restored 15th-century building near Les Halles offers 21 rooms blending exposed stone, oak beams, and contemporary design, plus an indoor plunge pool, hammam, and sauna. Best for couples seeking a luxury old-town base. Check rates and availability
Best Western Central Hotel (Mid-Range)
A dependable three-star on Rue Berthelot, 200 meters from Place Plumereau, with 40 renovated rooms featuring soundproofed windows and air conditioning. Best for travelers wanting central old-town location at a fair mid-range price. Check rates and availability
ibis budget Tours Centre Gare (Budget)
Compact but functional rooms from EUR 45 per night, 600 meters from the train station. Rooms sleep up to three. Best for backpackers and budget travelers who need a clean, no-frills base. Check rates and availability
