Choosing the La Rochelle Océan Pass also means discovering just how easy it is to get to La Rochelle without a car. Thanks to its rail network, cycle routes and coach services, La Rochelle is accessible all year round by public transport. Once your stay has begun, your La Rochelle Océan Pass is your key to getting around.
Travelling to La Rochelle by TGV
Located on the Atlantic coast, La Rochelle benefits from excellent rail links. The SNCF station is just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Port and the historic centre.
You can reach La Rochelle by TGV, Intercités and TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine trains.
- Paris-La Rochelle: 3h
- Nantes-La Rochelle: 3h
- Bordeaux-La Rochelle: 2h30
- Poitiers-La Rochelle: 1h45
Travelling by train means you can start your stay straight away without needing a car. Once at the station, the unlimited transport included in the La Rochelle Océan Pass takes over, allowing you to explore the city and its surroundings.
Book your journey on the SNCF Connect website: www.sncf-connect.com
Cycle to La Rochelle via the Vélodyssée
For cycling enthusiasts, La Rochelle is an unmissable stop on La Vélodyssée, France’s longest cycle route running along the Atlantic coast.
This cycle route allows you to reach La Rochelle from:
- Nantes and the Vendée coast
- Rochefort and the Charente
- Royan and the Gironde estuary
- The Arcachon Basin and the south-west
Once there, the transport network included in the pass makes it easy to extend your trips to the islands, Rochefort, Saintes, Niort or the Marais Poitevin.
Plan your route on the Vélodyssée website: www.lavelodyssee.com
Travelling by long-distance coach
Travellers wishing to travel without a car can also reach La Rochelle via national long-distance coach services.
Several operators run regular services to La Rochelle from major French cities: Paris, Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Lyon, Lille, Rennes…
Networks such as FlixBus, Ouibus and Blablabus offer direct or connecting journeys at often very competitive fares.
Once you arrive at your destination, get around La Rochelle and the surrounding area with ease using all the transport included in your La Rochelle Océan Pass: yélo buses, TER trains and regional coaches.
What to do without a car with the La Rochelle Océan Pass
The La Rochelle Océan Pass gives you access to over 40 attractions and activities, whilst allowing you to make use of an integrated transport network covering the entire region: city buses, ferry services, sea buses, TER trains and regional coaches are all included.
Explore the city centre’s must-see attractions on foot
In the city centre of La Rochelle, many of the attractions included in the pass are just a few minutes’ walk away: the Towers of La Rochelle, the Maritime Museum, the Museum of the New World, the La Rochelle Bunker, guided tours of the historic centre… not to mention the departure points for sea cruises from La Rochelle’s Old Port.
The city centre is easy to explore on foot, with its heritage sites, shopping streets and terraces in the Old Port.
Our suggestions for a 48-hour visit: What to do in La Rochelle in 2 days
Explore the major attractions and the Marais Poitevin by TER train
Your La Rochelle Océan Pass includes journeys on Nouvelle-Aquitaine TER trains to Rochefort, Niort and Saintes. A unique opportunity to plan one or more car-free getaways.
In Rochefort, use your pass to explore the Corderie Royale, the Pont Transbordeur and the Musée des Commerces d’autrefois…
In Niort, visit the unmissable Donjon Museum or head to the Cardinaud jetty for an immersive experience in the heart of the Marais Poitevin.
In Saintes, explore the Gallo-Roman heritage with guided tours included.
We’ve tried it out for you! A day in the Marais Poitevin with the La Rochelle Océan Pass
Travel to the islands and the coast by regional coach
With 10 bus routes included in your La Rochelle Océan Pass, you can travel car-free from La Rochelle city centre to the Île de Ré and Île d’Oléron, Royan and the wild coast: cycle paths, wide sandy beaches, oyster tastings overlooking the sea… are all within easy reach from La Rochelle with your La Rochelle Océan Pass.
Travel differently, save more
Travelling to La Rochelle without a car and using the transport included in the La Rochelle Océan Pass for your journeys is a sure-fire way to save money on an affordable stay in La Rochelle:
- No petrol costs
- No tolls on the Île de Ré bridge (€16 in summer)
- Free trains to nearby destinations (approx. €30 return La Rochelle–Niort; €33 return La Rochelle–Saintes; €15 return La Rochelle–Rochefort)
Not to mention the savings you’ll make on all your visits.
Calculate your savings using our online simulator
Buy your votre La Rochelle Océan Pass from our online shop.