How to Use Avignon Public Transport: A 2026 Guide

Navigating the City with Orizo Services

The Orizo network is the main provider for all local transit needs in Greater Avignon. It consists of one modern tram line (T1), the express BRT service called Chron'hop, and over 25 bus routes. The tram is particularly useful for traveling from the south to the city centre. Buses cover the areas where the tram does not yet reach, including residential districts and outlying communes such as Le Pontet and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

Tram line T1 runs north–south through the agglomeration and stops at Avignon Centre station (gare TGV shuttle connection), the Place de l'Horloge area, and the southern commercial zones. It is the backbone of the network and the line you are most likely to use as a tourist. Frequency during peak hours is approximately every 8–10 minutes, dropping to around 15–20 minutes in the early morning and late evening.

The Baladine is a small electric shuttle that circles the old town free of charge as of 2026 — a price cut introduced by Grand Avignon to encourage sustainable city-centre travel. It is very convenient for those who want to avoid long walks between gates. You can flag it down anywhere along its designated route. This service is perfect for reaching the Palais des Papes without any stress. Note that the Baladine does not require a standard Orizo ticket — it is entirely free, simply board and ride.

The Chron'hop BRT lines run along dedicated lanes on major arteries, offering bus-rapid-transit speed for longer cross-city journeys. They use the same Orizo ticket as all other network modes. Most Chron'hop stops have real-time arrival displays and sheltered waiting areas.

Most services run from roughly 6:00 AM until midnight. Frequency depends on the specific line and the time of day. Always check the latest schedule on the official Orizo website or the free Orizo app before leaving your hotel.

How to Use Avignon Public Transport Step by Step

Using the system is straightforward once you know the basics. Start by downloading the free Orizo app (App Store or Google Play) and creating a free account — this gives you journey planning, real-time departures, and in-app ticket purchase in one place.

Before boarding, make sure you have a valid ticket. Bus drivers no longer sell tickets on board. Tram-stop machines accept contactless credit cards and cash; the Orizo app lets you buy and store a digital ticket offline. Validation is mandatory — tap your ticket or phone on the small yellow validator immediately after boarding. Inspectors check frequently and fines are steep.

To exit, press the red stop-request button on the pole or seat-back about 30 seconds before your stop. Watch the digital route display at the front of the vehicle for stop names. Exit through any door; the driver will not check your ticket on the way out. Keep your ticket until you leave the stop area in case of a spot check.

Most stops have real-time arrival boards. If yours does not, the Orizo app shows live countdowns for every line. Look for the Orizo logo (a stylised wheel) to confirm you are at a correct stop, and check the direction indicator — many routes run in both directions from the same stop island.

2026 Ticket Prices and Zones

Avignon's Orizo network operates as a flat-fare, single-zone system — there are no confusing fare zones to calculate. The same ticket covers tram, Chron'hop BRT, and all bus lines across Greater Avignon. The Baladine inner-city shuttle is free and needs no ticket at all. Here is the full 2026 fare table:

A single ticket includes free transfers within 60 minutes of first validation. So if your tram ride connects to a bus, tap once and ride both — no second charge. Children under four years old travel free at all times. Reduced fares for seniors and students require a valid ID or student card at inspection.

For a typical two-day visit, the 48-hour pass at €7 is the smartest buy — it covers unlimited rides on tram, Chron'hop, and all buses, and costs less than five single tickets. Day-trippers doing three or more rides should opt for the €3.50 24-hour pass over buying singles. You can also buy a morning walking route in Avignon guide to plan which journeys are worth taking versus covering on foot.

If you are using a physical card (rechargeable Tixipass card), reload it at any tram station machine or at the Orizo boutique near Avignon Centre. Keep the card flat and away from strong magnets. Mobile tickets via the Orizo app are often the most convenient choice for short visits — the QR code works offline once downloaded, so a dead battery is the only risk. Always ensure your mobile battery will last for your entire journey.

Best Routes for Major Attractions

Most tourists arrive at either Avignon Centre (the city-centre mainline station on Boulevard Saint-Roch) or Avignon TGV (the high-speed station 3 km to the south-west, in Courtine). Both stations connect to the Orizo network. Once at the centre, you can follow an Avignon bridge and river walk itinerary entirely on foot or supplement with the free Baladine.

Tram line T1 is the backbone of the network and the line most tourists use. It runs through Boulevard Saint-Roch (Avignon Centre station stop), continuing south toward the commercial areas of Courtine and Cap Sud. Ride it northbound from the TGV shuttle drop-off at Avignon Centre to reach the historic centre's outer ring. The tram is modern, air-conditioned, and arrives every 8–10 minutes during the day.

Bus lines 4, 5, and 6 are very popular with visitors. They serve the main gates of the historic city centre regularly and are ideal for hotels located just outside the walls. Lines running through the Porte de l'Oulle or Porte Saint-Lazare area let you hop off steps from the ramparts. Check the real-time digital boards at the stop or the Orizo app for exact next arrivals.

Decision guide: If you stay inside the walls, walk — nearly everything within the ramparts is under 15 minutes on foot. If you need the TGV station, use the dedicated shuttle train (see below). Use the free Baladine for quick hops across the old town. Take tram T1 for any journey toward the southern suburbs, shopping centres, or the Parc des Expositions.

For tips on what to see once you arrive at each spot, our guide to things to do in Avignon covers the top attractions near each transport node.

Getting To and From Avignon TGV Station

Avignon has two separate train stations that confuse many first-time visitors. Avignon Centre (next to the Porte de la République) handles regional TER trains. Avignon TGV (3 km south of the walls) serves high-speed TGV Inoui services. If your booking says "Avignon TGV" you need an extra transfer.

The quickest transfer is the SNCF navette (shuttle train) — just 6 minutes, departing every 20–30 minutes. Tickets cost around €1.70 at TGV station machines or via the SNCF Connect app; this is a separate SNCF service, not covered by your Orizo day pass. Alternatively, Orizo bus line 22 makes the same journey in 20–25 minutes using a standard €1.40 Orizo ticket — ideal if you already hold a day pass. Once at Avignon Centre, tram T1 and the free Baladine continue your journey into the city. For full arrival logistics, see our how to reach Avignon guide.

Walking vs Transit: Accessibility and Practical Tips

Avignon's walled city is genuinely compact — from the Porte de la République to the Palais des Papes is a 12-minute walk, and the Pont Saint-Bénézet is only 5 minutes further. Most visitors spend barely any time on a bus inside the walls. Transit pays off for reaching hotels outside the ramparts, the Villeneuve-lès-Avignon riverside, or getting back after a late dinner in the southern districts.

Rule of thumb: walk everything inside the ramparts, use the free Baladine for uphill stretches near the Rocher des Doms, take the bus or tram for anything beyond the city gates. A €3.50 day pass typically covers everything a tourist needs on an active day.

For accessibility: all Orizo trams are fully low-floor with level boarding, wheelchair spaces, and audio/visual stop announcements. Most buses are also low-floor with a deployable front ramp — signal the driver on approach. The Orizo app includes accessible-route filters. The Avignon Tourism board publishes a step-free city-centre map covering key sights and transport stops.

Essential Preparation and Troubleshooting

Preparation is the key to a stress-free experience in France. Check for any planned strikes or maintenance before you start traveling. Strikes are common and can significantly change the daily bus schedules — the Orizo app provides real-time alerts for these events, which is the single best reason to install it before you leave home.

Always carry a small amount of cash as backup. Some older ticket machines may not accept international credit cards. Night services are more limited than daytime routes, so plan your return before the last tram departs (around midnight on most lines). Taxis and ride-shares queue outside all major stops and both train stations if you miss the last service.

Keep your belongings close on crowded buses during festival season. Public transport is generally safe in Avignon, but stay alert near busy tourist stops. A portable phone charger, printed city map, and comfortable walking shoes round out your transit kit alongside the Orizo app.