Flixbus holds the title of the most extensive intercity and pan-European bus service, earning its place as Europe's largest. You can discover more about various intercity bus services in France by clicking here. The frequent and lengthy strikes, combined with often unsatisfactory service from the French railroads, SNCF, led us to opt for a bus journey from Paris to Le Havre.
Imagine our astonishment when we realized that the bus service outperformed even the best days of the rail service! Of course, it's worth noting that the quality of service from SNCF often leaves much to be desired, suggesting that even a humble donkey-cart operation could be a significant improvement.
Flixbus operates multiple routes from Paris to Le Havre, including departures from La Defense, Clichy, Charles de Gaulle airport, and Bercy. However, their services extend far beyond Le Havre, covering almost every city in France. We opted for the route from La Defense, Paris's business district, to Le Havre. The La Defense station houses a substantial underground bus terminal filled with local buses and a designated gateway for Flixbus, as well as the other long-distance provider, SNCF's BlaBlaCar.
Reservation Process
While reservations can be made online, the most efficient method is through their well-designed smartphone app, compatible with both iPhone and Android devices. The app offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to access a wealth of information during the booking process. It integrates with iPhone Wallet or its Android counterpart to store your ticket, and also enables real-time tracking of your bus, a handy feature for those anticipating your arrival as they can monitor your current location.
Pricing
Pricing fluctuates based on when you book your journey - the earlier you secure your booking, the more cost-effective it will be. The number of passengers booking a specific route on a given day also impacts the cost. Prices can surge, doubling or even tripling, if you book the last seat mere hours before departure. Booking a month in advance is your best bet for snagging the lowest rate.
Information Provision
Flixbus ensures that you're well-informed, not only through the app but also via email. They send an update an hour or two before departure, providing a traffic status report (also available in the app). Additionally, an email notification is sent five minutes before the bus's arrival, prompting you to get ready.
Boarding Process
The bus driver will be stationed outside the door, scanning electronic or paper boarding passes and assisting passengers with stowing their suitcases in the luggage compartment. You're entitled to one free suitcase weighing up to 20 kg, similar to most airlines, and extra luggage will incur additional fees.
Seating is not pre-assigned, so you're free to choose any available seat, although on some routes you can reserve a seat.
Pro Tip: The seat adjacent to the emergency exit/toilet offers the most legroom.
Comfort
The seats offer decent comfort for our 2-hour, 20-minute journey, and the emergency exit seats provide ample space for taller individuals (like myself at 1m95) to stretch out comfortably. While the regular seats may have less room, they still offer more space than your typical city bus service.
Additional Amenities
WiFi
All buses are equipped with complimentary WiFi, although speed can vary based on the strength of the 4G/3G network connection in the area. If you're passing through a zone with poor reception, expect your internet speed to decrease significantly or potentially lose connection. However, when connected to a 4G network, the speed is notably fast. Just don’t anticipate to be in a videoconference during your bus ride.
Toilet
An onboard toilet is available, located near the emergency/second exit.
TV Monitor
Multiple TV monitors are installed in the bus's ceiling, displaying your current location during the journey. Similar to airplanes, these monitors are used for announcements (although there are no oxygen mask or life vest demonstrations).
USB Chargers
Almost every seat has a USB charging port for two devices. They are not always in obvious places, but search and you will find them. Handy to charge your phone or laptop.
Food Options
Though snacks and beverages are available for purchase, their exact location wasn't immediately apparent to me. It seems you may need to inquire with the driver, who presumably has these items stowed away.
Looking Ahead
The future for Flixbus appears to be electric. They have already initiated their first route using an all-electric bus, from Paris to Amiens. According to the driver, passengers are thrilled with this innovation, enjoying the quiet and vibration-free ride.
Moreover, Flixbus has expanded into the railway sector in Germany. It remains to be seen whether this will be part of their broader European strategy, but if they can outperform national railways, why not?
Overall Experience
Our journey was smooth and uneventful. Our driver exuded friendliness and warmth, a sentiment reinforced by another Flixbus driver we encountered, who was equally helpful and amiable.
Remarkably, our bus arrived at the destination 10 minutes ahead of schedule - a rarity in my experience with SNCF trains - and we felt quite refreshed upon disembarking.
Hence, if you're planning to travel within France and don't intend to drive, don't confine your search to trains and planes; be sure to consider bus services as well. It could be a compelling, not to mention economical, alternative.
To explore this option further, click here to visit the Flixbus website.