Rugby World Cup France 2023 – how to get there by train
Heading to Paris for the finals?
Whoever you're supporting, why not travel there by train? The finals are being held at the iconic Stade de France, just a stone’s throw from the city centre.
How to travel to the Rugby World Cup 2023 by train
Hop on Eurostar from London to Paris and arrive in the French capital just 2 hours and 22 minutes later. That’s quicker than flying, once you factor in the time it takes to travel to and from the airport, as well as how long it takes to go through check-in, security and baggage control. You won’t need to worry about airport transfers, as the train will take you directly from central London to Paris city centre.
Once you’ve boarded the train, you can sit back and look forward to the rugby! During your journey, you’ll enjoy comfortable seating, free WiFi, a café-bar area and power sockets. Before you know it, your train will arrive at Paris Gare du Nord station and you can make your way to the Stade de France.
How to get to the Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Paris
Located a stone’s throw from the centre of Paris, Saint-Denis is a medieval city teaming with beauty, history and vibrancy. The Stade de France is the country’s largest venue and has hosted some of the most iconic sporting events in history, including the finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 2003 IAAF World Championships, the Rugby World Cup 2007 and UEFA Euro 2016.
Rugby World Cup 2023 matches
- Bronze Final: Argentina v England (Friday 27th October)
- Final: New Zealand v South Africa (Saturday 28th October)
How to get there by train
From Paris Gare du Nord, you can take either RER line B to La Plaine Stade de France or RER line D to Stade de France Saint-Denis.
What is the Rugby World Cup France 2023?
Rugby World Cup 2023 venues and how to get there by train
Considering a trip to France to support your team at the Rugby World Cup? Continue reading for our guide on how to get to the 9 stadiums hosting the action.
1. Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Situated in southwest France, Bordeaux is the world capital of wine. In 2007, Bordeaux was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic architecture and outstanding beauty. Seating over 40,000 fans, Stade de Bordeaux is home to the city’s football club and hosted five matches during UEFA Euro 2016.
Rugby World Cup 2023 matches:
- Ireland v Romania (Saturday 9th September)
- Wales vs Fiji (Sunday 10th September)
- Samoa vs Chile (Saturday 16th September)
- South Africa vs Romania (Sunday 17th September)
- Fiji vs Georgia (Saturday 30th September)
How to get there by train:
Travel by train from Paris to Bordeaux. From the station, take Tram Line C to Parc des Expositions.
2. Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
Sitting close to the border with Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Lille is the Flemish capital, renowned for its vibrant culture and delicious cuisine. Built as the home for the city’s football team, Stade Pierre Mauroy opened in 2012 and has since hosted a variety of sports such as rugby, football, tennis and basketball.
Rugby World Cup 2023 matches:
- France vs Uruguay (Thursday 14th September)
- England vs Chile (Saturday 23rd September)
- Scotland vs Romania (Saturday 30th September)
- England vs Samoa (Saturday 7th October)
- Tonga vs Romania (Sunday 8th October)
How to get there by train:
Take the train from Paris to Lille. From Lille Flanders station, take the Metro to either Cité Scientifique station or 4 Cantons Grand Stade station.
3. OL Stadium, Lyon
Located at the junction of the Saône and the Rhône, Lyon is the third largest city in France, famed for its cultural landmarks and gastronomic scene. Built in 2016, OL Stadium is a modern stadium seating almost 60,000 people and has hosted major events such as the Coupe de la Ligue final and UEFA Europa League final.
Rugby World Cup 2023 matches:
- Wales vs Australia (Sunday 24th September)
- Uruguay vs Namibia (Wednesday 27th September)
- New Zealand vs Italy (Friday 29th September)
- New Zealand vs Uruguay (Thursday 5th October)
- France vs Italy (Friday 6th October)
How to get there by train:
Hop on the train from Paris to Lyon and then take Tram Line 3 to Decines Grand Large station. From there, the OL Stadium is only a 10-minute walk.
4. Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is a port city in the south of France boasting sunny weather, excellent beaches and vibrant nightlife. Since it opened in 1937, Stade Vélodrome has been renovated three times and is one of the most historic stadiums in the world.
Rugby World Cup 2023 matches:
- England vs Argentina (Saturday 9th September)
- South Africa vs Scotland (Sunday 10th September)
- France vs Namibia (Thursday 21st September)
- South Africa vs Tonga (Sunday 1st October)
- Quarter-final 1 (Saturday 14th October)
- Quarter-final 3 (Sunday 15th October)
How to get there by train:
Jump on the train from Paris to Marseille. From Saint-Charles station, take Metro Line 2 southbound to either Rond-Point du Prado station or Sainte Marguerite Dromel station.
5. Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Perched on the banks of the Loire river, Nantes is a historic city with more than 100 parks and gardens – in 2013, it was named European Green Capital. Located in the northern part of the city, Stade de la Beaujoire has hosted some of the world’s most iconic rock bands, such as Pink Floyd and U2.
Rugby World Cup 2023 matches:
- Ireland vs Tonga (Saturday 16th September)
- Argentina vs Chile (Saturday 30th September)
- Wales vs Georgia (Saturday 7th October)
- Japan vs Argentina (Sunday 8th October)
How to get there by train:
Travel from Paris to Nantes by train. Then, take Tram Line 1 from Nantes station to Beaujoire.
6. Stade de Nice, Nice
Situated between the nearby mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Nice is the capital of the Côte d’Azur and one of the most popular cities in France due to its colourful architecture, cobbled alleys and delicious food. Home to football club OGC Nice, Stade de Nice is also known as the Allianz Riviera due to its proximity to the picturesque coastline of the French Riviera.
Rugby World Cup 2023 matches:
- Wales vs Portugal (Saturday 16th September)
- England vs Japan (Sunday 17th September)
- Italy vs Uruguay (Wednesday 20th September)
- Scotland vs Tonga (Sunday 24th September)
How to get there by train:
- Take the train from Paris to Nice. From the station, take Tram Line 3 to Saint-Isidore.
7. Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Positioned just 30 miles from Lyon, Saint-Étienne was the industrial capital city of Europe in the 19th century and, as a result, was designated as the only French UNESCO Creative City of Design. Built in 1931, Stade Geoffroy Guichard is the oldest stadium selected as a host venue for the Rugby World Cup 2023.
Rugby World Cup 2023 matches:
- Italy vs Namibia (Saturday 9th September)
- Australia vs Fiji (Sunday 17th September)
- Argentina vs Samoa (Friday 22nd September)
- Australia vs Portugal (Sunday 1st October)
How to get there by train:
Travel by train from Paris to St-Étienne. From the station, you can walk to Stade Geoffroy Guichard in about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take Tram line T1 or T2 from Place Jean Jaurès to G. Guichard station.
8. Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Situated in southwestern France, Toulouse is a charming city known for its rugby heritage and pink architecture, earning its nickname – the “Pink City”. In 1938, Stadium de Toulouse was built to host the FIFA World Cup. Since then, it has undergone many renovations and 60 years later, hosted matches at UEFA Euro 2016.
Rugby World Cup 2023 matches:
- Japan vs Chile (Sunday 10th September)
- New Zealand vs Namibia (Friday 15th September)
- Georgia vs Portugal (Saturday 23rd September)
- Japan vs Samoa (Thursday 28th September)
- Fiji vs Portugal (Sunday 8th October)
How to get there by train:
Hop on the train from Paris to Toulouse. Then, take the metro (Yellow Line) to either Empalot station or St Michel station. From both stations, it’s a 15-minute walk to the stadium.
Train companies in France
If you’re considering a train trip in France, it’s more than likely you’ll be boarding an SNCF service as they’re the main train company in the country. To help you navigate France, we’ve broken down each French train operator and their services below:
SNCF
When you step on a train in France, it’ll most likely be an SNCF service, as they are the main train company operating in France. When travelling with SNCF, you’ll find that the main train types are high-speed TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and slower regional TER services.
Find out more about SNCF trains.
OUIGO
Although still part of the SNCF brand, OUIGO trains are a low-cost alternative to high-speed train travel in France. Although they often come with fewer onboard amenities, OUIGO trains usually offer reasonably priced domestic travel.
Find out more about OUIGO trains.
SNCF summer 2023 tickets are now on sale
If you’re planning a trip to France for the Rugby World Cup 2023, now is the perfect time to book if you want to snap up the cheapest fares! SNCF has released cheap tickets for this summer on all TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and OUIGO services. With Trainline, the following tickets are now available to buy:
- TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS tickets for direct journeys from 8th July to 3rd September 2023.
- OUIGO tickets for travel between 8th July and 9th December 2023.
- For the Rugby World Cup 2023, TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS tickets are already available for trips from 4th September to 8th November 2023.
Interrail One Country Pass
What is the Interrail One Country Pass?
If you want to attend various Rugby World Cup matches and need to travel to many French cities, the Interrail One Country Pass is the perfect option for you. You can travel between 3 to 8 days by train within 1 month. On each of these days, you can take as many trains as you like. The price of the ticket varies based on these criteria and the country you want to visit. Depending on your age group, the French One Country Passes cost:
- Youth (12 – 27 years old) from £62
- Adult (28+) from £72
- Child (4 – 11) from £0
- Senior (60+) from £64
Prices are correct as of March 2023
Popular train journeys for the Rugby World Cup 2023
If you’re travelling around France to support your team during the Rugby World Cup 2023, here are some of the most popular routes to each stadium:
Learn more about French train travel
So, you’ve come to the end of our guide to the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. Now you’re ready to book your trip and start dreaming of your team lifting the trophy! Hopefully, you can soak up France’s unique culture, food and history in between matches!
Ready to book your train travel to and around France? Start your search for times and tickets in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. Not quite found what you’re looking for yet? Check out our other pages about train travel within France, or our inspirational guides to taking the train in France.
Trainline does not have any affiliation with the Rugby World Cup, for more information on the Rugby World Cup please visit their website.