Getting Around Angers
Angers is a compact, walkable city in western France, and most visitors find they can cover the main sights on foot. For longer hops, the city has a clean and well-integrated public transport network of trams and buses, plus taxis and bike options. This guide covers the practical basics: which modes exist, how they connect, how to pay, and how to reach the city from its airport.
Arriving in the City
Whether you arrive by train or by bus, your arrival point in Angers will be the Angers-Saint-Laud train station. This is the city's main transport hub, and local buses and trams run frequently from here, connecting you to the city centre. The station is located at Esplanade de la gare.
One practical note: due to the national anti-terrorism policy known as "Vigipirate," all luggage storage services around the train and bus station have been suspended, so plan accordingly if you were hoping to leave bags while you explore.
Trams
Angers has three tramway lines (A, B and C). They provide access through the city, cross the river, and connect the city centre to the suburbs of Avrillé, Monplaisir and Roseraie. Lines A and C link the network to the Angers-Saint-Laud train station, and lines B and C also serve the Belle-Beille campus of the University of Angers.
Tickets are integrated with the bus system, so a single ticket covers you across both modes. It is also possible to pay by contactless bank card on all tramways.
Buses
Public buses are widely available in Angers and are a good way to reach parts of the city beyond the tram lines. On the urban bus network (lines 1 to 12), you can pay for your journey using a contactless bank card.
Ticket options are straightforward:
- A single ticket costs €1.60 and gives one hour of unlimited travel; a pack of ten costs €14.
- A whole-day pass costs €4.50.
- Tickets can be bought from vending machines at tram stations or from some shops.
- Single tickets can also be purchased on buses, but at a higher cost of €2.00.
- If you pay by contactless bank card on the urban bus network, the fare stays at €1.60 per one-hour journey but is capped at €4.50 per day, so you never pay more than the price of a day pass.
These prices date from December 2023, so it is worth checking current fares when you arrive.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis cannot be hailed on the street in Angers. Instead, there is a taxi point next to the train station. One of the main taxi companies is Allo Anjou. If you prefer to arrange a ride in advance or by phone, that is the practical approach rather than flagging one down.
Walking
One of the best ways to experience Angers is on foot. Generally, all of the main tourist attractions and shopping areas are located in close proximity to one another, so the historic centre is easy to explore without any transport at all.
The main exception is Lac de Maine, which is roughly 30 minutes from outside the centre of town. It lies to the north of Parc Balzac and west of the banks of the Maine river. On a summer evening, a walk out to the lake and back can be quite pleasant.
Cycling
Angers has dedicated bike routes all along the town, making cycling a viable option for getting around. People with a local address can rent bikes for free from the two Velocite offices, near ESSCA and Rue Lorraine, from Tuesday to Friday. Note that this free rental scheme is aimed at residents with a local address, so short-stay visitors may need to look at other bike options.
Petit Train
For a relaxed overview of the city's highlights, Les Petit Trains du Val de Loire run a 40-minute guided tour past the major attractions of Angers. It is a good option if you want orientation and commentary without much walking.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Angers is served by flights from Nantes, Paris (CDG), Paris (Beauvais) and Bordeaux. For more details on routes and connections, check the airport website. Once you arrive, the practical onward options are the same as for any visitor: the city's tram and bus network is integrated, so a single ticket or day pass will get you around once you reach the centre.