Transport: what health measures are in place for holidays this summer?

A holiday that's both relaxing and safe. This is the objective of tourism professionals in France this summer. Transport providers have put numerous measures in place to ensure you can travel with confidence and observe social distancing en route to your next destination. Here are the details.

The improvement of the health situation in France allows the organization of holidays this summer everywhere on the territory.

On trains and at stations

SNCF has announced the resumption of all activities (TGV, Intercités, TER and the Ile-de-France network). Each railway company is obliged to organise entry and exit flows at its stations and provide markings on the ground in places where queues form (self-service ticket machines, counters, stairs, etc).
Like all public transport operators, SNCF provides regular disinfectant cleaning of its trains and contact is reduced inside the carriages. Social distancing must be respected as far as possible and booking is compulsory before boarding, as is wearing a mask from departure station to arrival station.
Information is regularly updated on the OUI.sncf site (External link) and on the mobile app.

On planes and at airports

The aviation sector is also encouraging travellers to fly with confidence. Additional hygiene measures are taken upon arrival at airports. In the terminals there are contactless hand sanitising gel dispensers and ground markings to enforce social distancing. Furniture is disinfected several times a day.
Flight access procedures have also been reviewed to avoid maximum contact: online check-in is highly recommended, as is the carrying of light (cabin-size) luggage where possible. Plexiglass screens have been installed at the various meeting points between staff and passengers. In addition, temperature checks are carried out at Paris airports.
Passengers are also encouraged to wear a mask from departure airport to arrival airport. Many airlines have made it compulsory to wear a mask on board their aircraft. Hand sanitising gel is provided and toilet queues are regulated. Consider taking your own newspapers, as there will not be any on board. The supply of duty free and snacks has been reduced or in some cases prohibited until further notice.

Air France (External link)
Paris airports (External link)


In cars (taxis, VTC and rideshares)

The website service-public.fr (External link) (French only) states that the installation of physical protection (plexiglass or plastic sheeting) is recommended in light shared vehicles, between the driver and the passengers seated in the rear. No passenger is permitted to sit next to the driver.
If the installation of this protection is not possible, wearing a mask is compulsory in taxis, on hybrid bikes and in rideshare vehicles. The driver has the right to refuse a passenger not wearing a mask or showing symptoms. Vehicles are disinfected daily by the driver.

On buses, coaches and trams

All public transport operators disinfect their vehicles at least once a day. In buses with several doors, it is forbidden to use the front door unless you respect a distance of at least a metre from the driver.
Social distancing must also be respected and mask wearing is encouraged.

After the first phase of lockdown easing (from May 11 to June 1), the French government gave the green light to the reopening of most cultural spaces and the relaunch of leisure activities on June 2.

As a reminder, the easing of the lockdown in France following the coronavirus pandemic has been carried out in three phases:

  • Phase 1: from May 11 to June 1, 2020
  • Phase 2: from June 2 to June 21, 2020
  • Phase 3: from June 22 to mid-July 2020

Note that these measures apply throughout the territory classified as a 'green zone', with the exception of Mayotte and Guyana (classified as an 'orange zone'), where additional restrictions may apply.