How to travel from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle, France

The distance between Saint-Malo and La Rochelle is around 318km (198 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 3h 30m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out La RochelleSaint-Malo if you're planning a return trip.

1
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Rennes then Nantes and then to La Rochelle Ville.

  • Duration3h 55m
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    €69($69)
2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Nantes Haluchère and then to La Rochelle.

  • Duration5h 15m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    €26($26)

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to La Rochelle.

  • Duration3h 30m
  • Distance318km (198 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Saint-Malo and La Rochelle

There are several options for getting from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around €14 ($14) and will take around 6h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 3h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €43 ($43).

The distance between Saint-Malo and La Rochelle is around 318km (198 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 284km (176 miles)

It takes around 3h 55m to get from Saint-Malo and La Rochelle by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 30m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle is to drive which takes around 3h 30m and will set you back approx €43 ($43).

The cheapest way to travel between Saint-Malo and La Rochelle, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around €14 ($14) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Saint-Malo and La Rochelle. It typically takes around 3h 55m and departs 5 times a day.

There are no direct train services that runs from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Rennes and Nantes. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 3h 55m.

SNCF and TGV inOui run train services between Saint-Malo and La Rochelle. Trains depart 5 times a day and will take around 3h 55m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Saint-Malo and La Rochelle. It typically takes around 5h 15m and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Nantes Haluchère. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 5h 15m.

FlixBus, Blablabus and Breizgo en Ille-et-Vilaine run regular bus services between Saint-Malo and La Rochelle. Buses run 5 times a week and take around 5h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle. We recommend that you take the train to Rennes then Nantes and then to La Rochelle Ville. instead which will take 3h 55m.

The closest major airport to La Rochelle is Laleu Airport (LRH) (LRH) which is approximately 4km (2 miles) from La Rochelle. Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) (NTE) and Poitiers-Biard Airport (PIS) (PIS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Saint-Malo and La Rochelle. The distance is around 318km (198 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 30m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 55m and will usually cost around €69 ($69).

How do I get from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle

Compare travel optionsbetween Saint-Malo and La Rochelle

Transport options from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
3h 55m
€69($69)
5 times a day372km (231 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
5h 15m
€26($26)
5 times a week319km (198 miles)
Bus via Gare Routière6h 15m
€14($14)
twice daily332km (206 miles)
Drive
3h 30m
€43($43)
on demand318km (198 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Saint-Malo and La Rochelle

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near La Rochelle

The following major airports near La Rochelle offer regular flights to various popular destinations within France and internationally.

LRH
Laleu Airport (LRH)
Domestic Airport
Distance
4km (2 miles) from La Rochelle
NTE
Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE)
International Airport
Distance
116km (72 miles) from La Rochelle
PIS
Poitiers-Biard Airport (PIS)
Domestic Airport
Distance
122km (76 miles) from La Rochelle