Beauvais

Europe > France > Beauvais (BVA)

The Car or no Car advice for  Beauvais can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Beauvais ;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Beauvais ?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

🇫🇷 Mode

Score
🚆 Non-car score non-car score 3

💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Beauvais?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

🇫🇷 Factor

Score
🚗 Car Score car rental availability score 6
🚗Do we need a car in Beauvais? Is it worth it? Should we rent one? | Comment
Beauvais sits in the Picardy region, about 85 km north of Paris. Its airport, BVA, is famous among low-cost carriers and serves travellers heading either into Paris or the countryside. Within Beauvais itself, everything is close together, and public transport is simple. However, the wider region is rural, quiet, and full of small villages that require planning. So, should you rent a car in Beauvais? The answer depends on whether you want to stay in town, head into Paris, or explore the countryside. Since Beauvais is compact but Picardy is spread out, your plans matter.

🚶 Why You Don’t Need a Car in Beauvais Town

Beauvais is small and very walkable.
You can reach:

  • The magnificent Beauvais Cathedral

  • The old centre

  • Cafés and bakeries

  • Local museums

  • The riverside parks

Everything sits close together.

➡ In short: no car needed for Beauvais itself.

🚌 The Airport Shuttle to Paris Works Smoothly

Beauvais Airport has its own direct coach to Paris Porte-Maillot.
It runs frequently, and the service is designed for incoming flights.
It takes around 1h15–1h30, depending on traffic.

➡ For Paris travel, the shuttle replaces any need for a car.

🚆 Trains Connect Beauvais to Paris and Beyond

A regional train links Beauvais with:

  • Paris Gare du Nord

  • Creil

  • Regional towns in Picardy

Trains are frequent, cheap, and reliable.

➡ Rail handles longer trips easily.

🚕 Taxis Are Easy for Airport–Town Transfers

Taxis cover:

  • The airport

  • The cathedral district

  • Hotels around Beauvais

They are ideal for short hops, especially late at night.

➡ No need to rent a car for simple transfers.

🚗 When Renting a Car Helps

A car becomes useful if you want to explore:

  • Rural Picardy

  • The Oise countryside

  • Chantilly forest

  • Gerberoy (one of France’s prettiest villages)

  • Parc Saint-Paul theme park

  • Small historic towns far from rail links

These areas are scattered and not always served by buses.

➡ A car offers flexibility for rural sightseeing.

🧭 Quick Decision Table

Your Plan in Beauvais / Picardy Car Needed?
Staying in Beauvais town ❌ No
Taking the Beauvais–Paris shuttle ❌ No
Using trains to Paris or Creil ❌ No
Visiting Gerberoy or tiny villages ❔ Optional
Exploring forests, gardens, and castles ❔ Optional
Touring rural Picardy extensively ✅ Yes

🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car in Beauvais?

  • ❌ Skip the car if you’re staying in Beauvais or heading into Paris, because the shuttle and trains work very well.

  • ❔ Consider renting a car if you want to explore the quiet villages and countryside of Picardy, because many of these areas lack public transport.

🚗Do we need a car in Beauvais? Is it worth it? Should we? Destinations | Comment

🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary score brings how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation.

🇫🇷 Factor

Score
🚗Should You Rent a Car in Beauvais?
 overall should you rent a car score 8
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