Rugby World Cup 2023: how to get to the matches by train?

After Japan in 2019, the 10th edition of the Rugby World Cup will take place in France. The international competition will take place from Saturday September 8th to Saturday October 28th, 2023.

This year, 20 teams will compete for the title held by South Africa. The 48 matches will take place in 9 stadiums throughout France. And all these cities are accessible by train! So to go to the stadiums and support your favorite team, you should buy your tickets now to take advantage of the best prices!

In this article, we will help you find your way to attend the various matches (by train and then by public transport to go from the train station to the stadium).

Good to know: the French government offers an FAQs dedicated to this 2023 Rugby World Cup to help you with the purchase of official tickets for matches, accommodation, mobile phone usage costs (roaming), travel, useful contacts if you have a problem… You can consult this FAQs in English here.

Where are the 2023 Rugby World Cup matches taking place?

The Rugby World Cup 2023 matches will take place in the stadiums of 9 French cities:

  • Paris at the Stade de France (including 2 quarter-finals, the semi-finals, and the final)
  • Marseille at the Vélodrome (including 2 quarter-finals)
  • Lille at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium
  • Lyon at the OL Stadium
  • Saint-Étienne at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium
  • Nantes at the Beaujoire stadium
  • Bordeaux at the Matmut Atlantique stadium
  • Toulouse at the Stadium
  • Nice at the Allianz Riviera.
Go to the stadiums by train - 2023 Rugby world cup - map voyagerentrain.fr

© map voyagerentrain.fr

When are the matches at the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

The full agenda can be found here.

The final phase will take place on:

  • October 14 in Marseille (Vélodrome) for the quarter-final 1C – 2D
  • October 14 in Paris (Stade de France) for the quarter-final 1B – 2A
  • October 15 in Marseille (Vélodrome) for the quarter-final 1D – 2C
  • October 15 in Paris (Stade de France) for the quarter-final 1A – 2B
  • October 20 in Paris (Stade de France) for the first semi-final
  • October 21 in Paris (Stade de France) for the second semi-final
  • October 27 in Paris (Stade de France) for the third place match
  • October 28 in Paris (Stade de France) for the final

When to book train tickets at the best price for the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

To go to the Rugby World Cup matches, train tickets (prices from €10!) are already on sale.

To buy your train ticket, you can visit sncf-connect.com or thetrainline.com.

If necessary, train tickets are refundable and exchangeable free of charge 7 days before departure (except OUIGO and international trains).

How to go to the stadiums to see the matches of the Rugby World Cup 2023?

All the 2023 Rugby World Cup stadiums are therefore easily accessible by train and then by public transport.

Go to the Stade de France in Paris by train for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

The Stade de France (Saint-Denis) is the main stadium of the competition. The city of Paris is easily reached by train. Here are some examples :

From Paris, you can then very easily reach the other cities in France where the matches are taking place.

Depending on your arrival station in Paris, here is the shortest route to reach the Stade de France:

  • Montparnasse: take line 13 from “Montparnasse Bienvenüe” station in the direction of “Saint-Denis – Université” to the “Saint-Denis Porte de Paris” stop (35 minutes journey)
  • Gare de Lyon: take the RER D from “Gare de Lyon” station in the direction of Creil to the “Stade de France Saint-Denis” stop (30 minutes journey)
  • Austerlitz: take line 14 at the “Gare de Lyon” station in the direction of “Mairie de Saint-Ouen” then take line 13 at the “Gare Saint-Lazare” station in the direction of “Saint-Denis – Université” until the “Porte Saint-Denis” stop from Paris (50 minutes journey)
  • Gare du Nord: take the RER B from the “Gare du Nord” station in the direction of “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle” or “Mitry – Claye” to the “La Plaine Stade de France” station (15 minutes journey)
  • Gare de l’Est: take metro 4 from the “Gare de l’Est” station in the direction of “Porte de Clignancourt” then take the RER B at the “Gare du Nord” station in the direction of “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle” or “Mitry – Claye” to the “La Plaine Stade de France” station (25 minutes journey)
  • Saint-Lazare: take line 13 from “Gare Saint-Lazare” station in the direction of “Saint-Denis – Université” to the “Saint-Denis Porte de Paris” stop (30 minutes journey)
  • Massy TGV: take the RER B from the “Gare Massy TGV” station in the direction of “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle” or “Mitry – Claye” to the “La Plaine Stade de France” station (45 minutes journey)
  • Roissy – CDG station: take the RER B from “CDG Airport” station in the direction of “Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse” to “La Plaine Stade de France” station (40 minutes journey)
  • Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy: take the RER A from the “Marne-la-Vallée Chessy” station in the direction of “Saint-Germain-en-Laye / Poissy / Cergy” then the RER B at the “Châtelet-Les Halles” station in the direction of “Charles de Gaulle” or “Mitry – Claye” airport to “La Plaine Stade de France” station (65 minutes journey)

Go to the Vélodrome in Marseille by train for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Marseille is only 3 hours from Paris by train. There are two stations: Marseille Saint-Charles and Marseille Blancarde.

Two metro line 2 stations then serve the Vélodrome stadium:

  • Rond-Point du Prado for the “Jean Bouin” and “Virage Nord – Patrice de Peretti” stands.
  • Sainte-Marguerite Dromel for “Ganay” and “Virage Sud – Chevalier Roze” stands.

From Saint-Charles station, you will therefore have to take metro line 2 from Saint-Charles station in the direction of “Sainte-Marguerite Dromel” and get off at the “Rond-Point du Prado” station or at the terminus depending on your location in the stands. Travel time is approximately 15 minutes.

From Marseille Blancarde station, first take line 1 at the “Cinq Avenues Longchamp” station in the direction of “La Fourragère” then take line 2 at “Castellane” in the direction of “Sainte-Marguerite Dromel” and get off at the “Rond-Point du Prado” or at the terminus depending on your location in the stands. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes.

Go to the stadium in Lille by train for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

The city of Lille is easily reached by train:

To reach the Pierre Mauroy stadium from the Lille Flandres and Lille Europe stations, you must take line 1 from the “Lille Flandres” station in the direction of “Villeneuve d’Asq” to the “Cité Scientifique” station. The journey time is approximately 30 minutes.

Go to the stadium in Lyon by train for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Lyon is only 2 hours from Paris by train. The city of Lyon has three stations, two of which are in the city centre. These are Lyon Part Dieu and Lyon Perrache in the city center and Lyon Saint-Exupéry located at the airport.

To reach the stadium:

  • From Lyon Part Dieu station, you must take line 3 from “Gare Part-Dieu Villette” station in the direction of “Meyzieu les Panettes” to the “Décines Grand Large” stop. The journey time is approximately 40 minutes.
  • From Lyon Perrache station, you must first take metro A at “Perrache” station to its terminus “Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie” then take tram 7 also to its terminus “Décines OL Vallée”. The journey time is approximately 40 minutes.
  • From Lyon Saint-Exupery station, take the “RhôneExpress”, an express tram between the airport and the city center of Lyon, to “Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie” then take tram 7 to its terminus “Décines OL Vallée”. Count 45 minutes of journey.

Photo (creative commons) : Thomas Serer

Go to the stadium in Saint-Étienne by train for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Saint-Étienne is located near Lyon. Most connections with the city are therefore made with a connection in Lyon.

To reach the Geoffroy Guichard stadium from the train station, take tram line 3 towards “Bellevue” and get off at the “Geoffroy Guichard” stop. The journey time is approximately 15 minutes.

Go to the stadium in Nantes by train for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Nantes is only 2 hours from Paris by train.

From Nantes train station, take line 1 from the “Gare Nord” stop to the “Beaujoire” terminus. The journey is approximately 25 minutes.

Go to the stadium in Bordeaux by train for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Bordeaux is only 2 hours from Paris by train.

From Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station, take tram C from the “Gare Saint-Jean” stop to the terminus of the “Parc des Expositions” line. The journey time is approximately 40 minutes.

Go to the stadium in Toulouse by train for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Toulouse is more than 4 hours by train from Paris. Night train travel is possible.

From the Toulouse Matabiau train station, take metro line B at the “Jean Jaurès” stop (800 meters from the station) in the direction of “Ramonville” to the “Empalot” stop (1.2 km from the stadium). Travel time is approximately 25 minutes.

Go to the stadium in Nice by train for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Nice is almost 6 hours by train from Paris. Night train travel is possible.

The city of Nice has two train stations: Nice Saint-Augustin (closer to the stadium) and Nice Ville.

  • From Nice-Ville train station, take line 2 of the tram at the “Jean Médecin” stop (750 meters from the station) in the direction of “CADAM Centre Administratif” to the “Digue des Français” stop then take line 3 towards “Saint- Isidore” and get off at the “Stade” stop. The journey time is 55 minutes.
  • From Nice Saint-Augustin station, take line 3 at the “Grand Aréna” stop (200 meters from the station) towards “Saint-Isidore” and get off at the “Stade” stop. The journey time is 20 minutes.

Enjoy your stay in France! 🚆🏉

One thought on “Rugby World Cup 2023: how to get to the matches by train?

  1. Navigating the Rugby World Cup 2023 matches by train offers fans a convenient and eco-friendly way to reach the venues. With well-connected railway networks in France, supporters can enjoy efficient travel to the heart of the action. It’s a sustainable choice that allows for a seamless matchday experience. So, hop on board and get ready to cheer for your team in this highly anticipated sporting event.

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