Since January 2026, the ban on short domestic flights for routes served by trains in less than 2h30 has reshuffled the transportation landscape in France. This decree (n°2025-1478 of December 20, 2025) accelerates the modal shift towards rail, but it also creates blind spots for travelers whose journeys do not simply consist of a one-way trip between two major train stations.
Organizing a trip in France or to North Africa now involves juggling multiple modes of transport, with rules, baggage limits, and connections that vary from one operator to another.
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Hybrid journeys by train, ferry, and bus to North Africa: a route still poorly marked
The dominant comparison platforms (Omio, SNCF Connect, Trainline) cover train and long-distance bus travel well in Europe. However, trans-Mediterranean ferries are largely absent from these platforms. A traveler wishing to connect Lyon to Tunis by combining TGV to Marseille, ferry to Tunis, and then local bus must now assemble their itinerary manually.
This use case particularly concerns solo travelers carrying bulky luggage. On a TGV, the baggage limit is not strictly enforced beyond two suitcases, but storage spaces fill up quickly on southern routes. On a Marseille-Tunis ferry, baggage allowances are more generous, making it a suitable alternative for transporting bulky packages.
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The switch to local bus upon arrival poses another problem: the luggage compartments of North African coaches rarely accept more than one piece of luggage per passenger without extra charges.
To explore transport solutions for 1, 2, 3 … travel! and compare the available modes for this type of journey, one must be willing to cross-reference multiple sources of information rather than relying on a single aggregator.
Modal shift to rail: what the decree changes concretely
The ban on short domestic flights, effective since January 2026, targets routes where the train takes less than 2h30. Temporary exemptions remain for certain regional hubs, which means that not all short routes have been eliminated yet. The full implementation schedule remains unclear for several secondary destinations.
For the traveler, the direct consequence is an increase in demand for TGV and Intercités on the affected routes. Ground reports vary on this point: some lines show very high occupancy rates during peak hours, while others absorb the additional demand without visible strain. SNCF has increased frequencies on Paris-Lyon and Paris-Bordeaux, but secondary routes (Nantes-Lyon, Bordeaux-Marseille) have not received the same treatment.
Consequences on train ticket prices
The modal shift mechanically pushes prices up on the most in-demand slots. Travelers who used to book low-cost flights at cheap prices now face TGV tickets whose prices vary significantly depending on how far in advance they book. Booking several weeks in advance remains the only effective strategy to keep the budget in check.
Long-distance buses in Europe: low prices, increasing delays
FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus continue to offer some of the most accessible fares for crossing France or reaching European capitals. The downside is well-documented: a survey reported by Le Monde in March 2026 indicates that cumulative delays have increased by about 30% on average on long-distance European routes. Post-Brexit customs checks at British borders and traffic jams at border crossings are the main causes.
For a trip from Paris to Barcelona or Lyon to Milan, the bus remains competitive on price, but the actual travel time significantly diverges from the scheduled time. The available data does not allow us to conclude whether this trend will stabilize or worsen with the summer season.
- Check recent reviews on the specific routes taken, as delays vary greatly depending on the itineraries and border crossings.
- Allow for a connection margin of at least two hours if the bus feeds into a second transport (train or ferry).
- Always compare night buses with night trains when the connection exists: the comfort and punctuality of night trains are generally superior.
Trans-Mediterranean ferries: an underestimated low-carbon option
The ferry routes between Marseille and Tunis, or Sète and Tangier, are gaining popularity in 2026. The drop in fuel costs has allowed companies to maintain stable, or even slightly lower, fares. The ferry offers a low-carbon alternative to flights to North Africa, an argument that is increasingly influencing transport choices.
The ferry has an advantage rarely mentioned by traditional comparison platforms: the baggage allowance is much more flexible than on a plane or bus. A solo traveler can board several bulky packages without prohibitive extra charges, making it the preferred mode for those transporting personal belongings in quantity (partial moves, professional equipment, family gifts).
Limits to know before boarding
The crossing duration (often over twenty hours for Marseille-Tunis) requires incorporating a night on board into the schedule. Affordable cabins book up early in the summer season. The other constraint concerns the lack of fare integration between the ferry and the French train: no combined TGV + ferry ticket exists to date, which forces travelers to manage two separate bookings and absorb the risk of missed connections in case of train delays.
The multi-modal train + ferry + local bus to North Africa remains a niche route. Travelers who regularly use it recommend planning an overnight stop in Marseille or Sète to secure the connection.
A well-planned three-day journey often costs less than a round-trip flight, while allowing for much more luggage. This type of travel requires preparation, but it opens up routes that mainstream platforms are not yet able to assemble.