Tours is located in the heart of the Loire Valley. With good train service and easy access by car from major highways, the city is easily reached from most major French and European cities.
Here, we present all the practical options for getting to Tours, depending on your departure point and your preferences.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to Get to Tours
Here's a quick summary:
- By train from Paris Montparnasse: about 1 hour by TGV - Book your train tickets now
- By car from Paris (2.5 hours), Nantes (2.5 hours), or Angers (1.5 hours) — Rent a car here
- By plane: Tours Val de Loire Airport offers flights to Porto, Marrakech, Marseille, and London Stansted, with a seasonal flight to Dublin - Compare available flights
- By long-distance bus: Flixbus and BlaBlaBus routes from several cities; official website here
WHERE TO STAY IN Tours
In the city center
Enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
- Hotel Ferdinand - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hôtel du Cygne - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel L'Adresse - check prices, pictures and availability
Near the station and around the city center
An early train? Or just a little more peace and quiet? Here are our recommendations:
- Hotel Les Trésorières - 5 stars - check prices, pictures and availability
- Aparthotel Central Parc Tours - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Oceania L'Univers Tours - check prices, pictures and availability
In the countryside around
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet, without straying too far from the city of Tours? Here's our suggestion:
- Hotel Domaine de la Tortinière - 20 min away - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Troglododo - unusual 25min away - check prices, pictures and availability
Where is Tours? Map
Tours is the prefecture of Indre-et-Loire, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The city lies along the Loire River and occupies a central location, making it a convenient base for exploring the entire Loire Valley.
Here are the travel times from the major nearby cities:
- From Paris: about 2.5 hours by car, 1 hour by TGV
- From Nantes: about 2 hours and 30 minutes by car, 1 hour and 40 minutes by train
- From Angers: about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car, 1 hour by train
- From Saumur: about 45 minutes by car, 30 minutes by train
- From Bordeaux: about 2 hours and 45 minutes by car, 2 hours and 15 minutes by train
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
By train from Paris and the cities along the Loire River
The train is undoubtedly the most convenient way to get to Tours. The Tours train station is located right in the city center, just a few minutes' walk from the main attractions. This is a significant advantage over other modes of transportation.
From Paris
TGV trains connect Paris Montparnasse to Tours in about 1 hour. Buses run frequently throughout the day, with a good frequency during peak hours. We particularly appreciate this route for its speed and the fact that the arrival station is close to the historic center.
From other cities in the Loire region and the Greater West
Tours is well connected to the major cities in the region. Here are the main routes:
- From Angers: about 1 hour; regular service
- From Nantes: about 1 hour and 40 minutes; several trains a day
- From Saumur: about 30 minutes by regional train
- From Bordeaux: about 2 hours and 15 minutes (time to be confirmed)
- From Lyon: with a transfer, allow about 4 hours (time to be confirmed)
We recommend that you book your tickets in advance, especially during the summer and school holidays. Rates are significantly lower several weeks before departure. Consult timetables and book your train tickets.
The Tours Train Station
The Tours train station is well-equipped: there are shops, luggage lockers, and car rental agencies right in the lobby. If you'd like to explore the nearby castles and villages, you can pick up a car as soon as you arrive. We detail all the options in our guide to renting a car in France.
By car
A car offers the greatest freedom for exploring Tours and the surrounding area. The Loire Valley is a great place to explore at your own pace, stopping along the way at castles, wineries, and the villages you pass through. In fact, that's our preferred way to get around when exploring the region.
The Main Routes
- From Paris: Take the A10 highway toward Orléans, then Tours. About 2 hours and 30 minutes nonstop. Expect to pay a toll.
- From Nantes: A85 highway. About 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- From Angers: Take the A85 highway or the national highway. About 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- From Bordeaux: A10 highway. About 2 hours and 45 minutes (time to be confirmed).
- From Rouen: A28 highway. About 3 hours (time to be confirmed).
The roads around Tours are wide and well-marked. The exit out of town is easy to navigate, even for drivers who aren't used to French city traffic.
Rent a car
If you're arriving by train or plane, renting a car once you're there is a great way to explore the region at your own pace. Several agencies have counters located directly at the Tours train station. We recommend that you compare offers in advance: rates vary significantly depending on the season, with higher prices from June through August. Compare car rental offers.
Check out our detailed tips in our article on renting a car in France.
Parking in Tours
There are several options for parking. There are numerous public parking lots in the city center, as well as paid street parking. Find out more about parking here.
By plane
Tours has its own airport, located about 10 minutes from downtown. Tours Val de Loire Airport offers scheduled flights to Porto, Marrakech, Marseille, and London Stansted, as well as a seasonal flight to Dublin. For other destinations, Paris CDG or Orly Airport remains a convenient option, especially if you're combining your stay in the Loire region with a stopover in Paris.
It's time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
From Tours Val de Loire Airport
The airport is located just 10 minutes from downtown. From the terminal, the most direct way to get to downtown Tours is by rental car: there are rental car agencies at the airport, and the trip is quick and easy. We recommend this option for travelers who want to head straight out on a road trip through the Loire region as soon as they arrive. Compare available flights.
DISCOVER Tours
From Paris CDG or Orly
If you're arriving in France via Paris, the easiest way is to take the TGV from Gare Montparnasse. A ride on the RER or by taxi from CDG or Orly will take you there in 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the airport; then the train connects Montparnasse to Tours in about 1 hour. It's an effective combination that doesn't restrict driving.
By long-distance bus
Long-distance buses are an affordable option for traveling to Tours, especially for those on a tight budget or for routes not well served by trains. Flixbus and BlaBlaBus offer service to Tours from Paris and several major French cities. Travel times are longer than by train, but prices are often very competitive, especially if you book in advance. The bus stop is at the train station (to be confirmed). View Flixbus routes to Tours
On a day trip from Paris
Are you in Paris and want to explore the Loire Valley without planning a full trip? Guided minibus tours allow you to visit several sites over two or three days, with transportation and stops included. We find this option particularly well-suited for travelers visiting France for the first time who want to see the region’s highlights without any logistical hassles.
Choose a 2-day tour: Mont-Saint-Michel and the Loire Valley from Paris—a great combination that lets you explore two of the most iconic destinations in northwestern France. You can also choose this 3-day tour: Mont-Saint-Michel and the Loire Valley, departing from Paris—a more leisurely pace for visiting the Loire Valley’s most famous castles, with more time to spend at each location.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
And once in Tours...
Tours has some wonderful discoveries in store. Saint-Gatien Cathedral, Saint-Martin Basilica, Saint-Côme Priory, Old Tours with its half-timbered houses, and the museums and châteaux of the Loire Valley, all within easy driving distance, make for a rich itinerary. We recommend that you plan to spend at least two days exploring the city and its surroundings.
Check out our article “Things to Do in Tours: Our Top Suggestions” and our article “Where to Stay in Tours: Our Favorite Hotels and Neighborhoods” to plan your trip.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
