Getting around in La Rochelle

There’s a range of transport options available to suit your needs every single day, at the point of departure and in the direction of the port. In this way, you can really enjoy your stay in La Rochelle, discovering the town, as well as the surrounding area.

logo-yeloBicycles

La Rochelle is surrounded by bike share stations (50 points). You can reap the benefits of a fleet made up of 250 Yélo bikes, available as long-term or touristic rentals. The port has bikes available for yachtsmen to use at the harbourmaster’s office (2 hours free, then €1.50/h).

logo-yeloThe Illico bus

This line means you can get across town in less than 10 minutes, from the city centre to Minimes every day of the week (every 10 minutes from Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays).

Tickets for 10 trips available for purchase at the harbourmaster’s office

logo-yeloSolar-electric ferry service

The ferry service means you can continue your trip on board an eco-friendly boat. It takes just 20 minutes to get from Minimes port (near dock 6) to the Old Port (Tour de la Chaîne), providing travellers with a one-of-a-kind view of the historical town.

logo-yeloElectric boat

This boat connects the town centre and Ville-en-Bois (media library) in just three minutes by passing through the channel of the Old Port, meaning you can enjoy the fantastic view of the two towers (Tour de la Chaîne and Tour Saint-Nicolas).

Daily:
April – May : 7:30 am – 10:00 pm
June – Sept. : 7:30 am – 12:00 am
Oct. – March : 7:30 am – 8:00 pm

logo-yeloYélo Mobile vehicles

You have the option to go and discover the wider region by renting one of the 28 electric vehicles available across 13 stations spread out across the town.
• Premium rate number: 0 810 17 18 17

logo-yeloYélo night taxi service

The taxi service means you can get around all 28 communes in the La Rochelle area between 9pm and 6am every single day. It runs between one of the three taxi stations spread across the town and one of the 130 stops bearing the taxi symbol.

Information on Yélo services: CDA website

Carpooling

Share your vehicle with other travellers and reduce the impact your journey has on the environment.
• Premium rate number: 0 820 820 138

Eco-tourism

With just one single ticket, the Pass’Partout 17, you can travel around the entire Charente maritime area in an environmentally friendly manner by taking the Les Mouettes inter-city network, the La Rochelle Yélo urban networks, the Rochefort R’bus, the Saintes Buss and the Royan Cara’bus.

By train

La Rochelle also has numerous options for travelling by train.

  • With the TGV, you can reach Paris in less than three hours
  • Regular service between La Rochelle / Rochefort (13 return trips per day)
  • Get to Minimes/the train station in less than 10 minutes with the Illico bus.
  • 36 35 (the number to call for any information on SNCF)

By plane

La Rochelle – Île de Ré airport provides connections to Lyon, London and Brussels, to name but a few.
• 05 46 42 18 27