How To Reach Dijon

Located in the eastern part of France, Dijon is a small territory that is encountered on the road from Lyon to Paris, just about 260 km away from the latter. The capital of modern-day Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region, Dijon is situated just beyond the vineyards of Burgundy and is often considered one of the best wine regions in France. While most contemporaries have heard of Dijon only in terms of its local mustard, there is so much more to this culturally rich city than simply its native condiment. Dijon was once the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy and also the residence of its dukes between the 11th and 15th-century; their palatial abode has been converted into a museum and is still one of the top tourist spots in the city.

Moreover, most of the quarters in Dijon are pedestrian-friendly areas with charming locales and architecturally splendid landmarks that make strolling through its streets a remarkable experience. A trip to Dijon is sure to be a memorable one that will forever be a part of your cherish-worthy moments; detailed below are some of the most convenient ways to reach Dijon.

Except for a former military airbase, there is no commercial airport in Dijon. The closest air connection to the city can be made by catching a flight to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, which is located just over 260 km from Dijon. Buses operated by Air France or airport shuttles are available to transfer passengers from the airport to the various railway stations across Paris, from where direct TGV trains can be taken to reach Dijon directly. Travellers can also fly into other major European cities like Zurich, Frankfurt, Marseille, Milan etc. as an alternative. Direct trains to Dijon are available from all the aforementioned cities as well.

Gare de Dijon-Ville is Dijon’s main railway station. All major French cities have train connections to Dijon; Dijon is also one of the important railway junctions on the line that goes from Paris to Lyon and Marseille, and on the east-west lines to Switzerland, Italy etc. The high-speed TGV network is one of the fastest ways to reach Dijon from Paris, which takes only about an hour and a half; Nice is about six hours away and Strasbourg about two hours away via the TGV. Overnight trains also run from Venice, Milan and Verona.

Reaching Dijon via road can be accomplished through several options like buses, cabs and rented cars that you can drive yourself. Buses are available from many European cities through popular services like Eurolines and Flixbus. If you are planning to drive yourself, take the A38 or A6 to reach Dijon from Paris; A31 from Lyon, Lille and Nancy; A39 from Geneva and A36 from Switzerland.

Dijon features an extensive public transport system, with the tram being one of the most popular ways to go about the city. The tram network was introduced in 2012 and now covers most of the key locations in Dijon. The public bus network is called Divia and serves all the main districts of Dijon including the surrounding regions. While the buses and trams are paid services, a free shuttle also runs on weekdays between the historic centre and other main attractions of Dijon, covering all major landmarks and making it a convenient option for budget travellers.