- Must visit
Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de La Rochelle
Major natural history museum with zoology, geology, and ethnography collections in a historic setting. One of the city's strongest museum visits for families and curious adults.
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$50
Fastest journey
4 h 50 m
Average duration
4 h 50 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
284 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle will cost around $50 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 2 buses that leave Saint-Malo for La Rochelle on Sat, Jul 11, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jul 11 the direct buses cover the 284 km distance in an average of 4 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 50 m .
On Sat, Jul 11 the slowest buses will take 4 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $28. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 4h 9m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $28, and a train costs an average of $72.
Distance: 176 miles (284 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$49 Average price Cheapest | $92 Average price | $74 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 39m Average total duration Fastest 4h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 9m Average total duration 4h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle:
A bus is $43 (€35) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle costing on average $92 (€75).
Other travel options to La Rochelle take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 39m.
Tickets start at around $49 (€40) compared to roughly $74 (€61) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $25 (€20). The journey takes 4h 9m versus 3h 38m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 12:05AM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 08:20AM | Duration 11h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $60 |
The table below shows live departures for Saint-Malo to La Rochelle buses for today, Friday, July 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:00 PM Saint-Malo | 4h50 | 4:50 PM La Rochelle | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:00 PM Saint-Malo | 4h50 | 5:50 PM La Rochelle | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle run on average 3 times per day, taking around 4h 9m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $28 (€23) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 02:05, the last at 22:30. The fastest bus covers the 176 miles (284 km) distance in 4h 40m.
Distance 176 miles (284 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price $28 (€23) |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 4h 40m |
First bus 2:05 AM |
Last bus 10:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of La Rochelle — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect La Rochelle trip today.
Major natural history museum with zoology, geology, and ethnography collections in a historic setting. One of the city's strongest museum visits for families and curious adults.
Floating and dockside maritime museum centered on historic vessels and the city's Atlantic seafaring identity. Excellent for understanding La Rochelle's port history.
Privately run history museum inside a wartime bunker, presenting La Rochelle during the Second World War. Compact, unusual, and popular with history-focused visitors.
Colorful waterfront area with bright wooden houses, street art atmosphere, and strong social-media appeal. A favorite for photos near the old harbor.
Large linear city park ideal for walking, relaxing, and escaping the crowds just beyond the historic center. Popular with locals and families.
Elegant seafront promenade lined with lawns and historic villas, well suited for sunset walks and open views. A classic local strolling area.
Mussels cooked in a creamy Charente-style sauce with curry, shallots, and white wine, a classic from the nearby coast and marshes.
A traditional seaside mussel dish where mussels are covered with pine needles and fire-roasted, popular in coastal Charente-Maritime.
Famous local oysters from the nearby Marennes-Oléron basin, prized for their refined flavor and strong link to the regional oyster culture.
A celebrated gastronomic restaurant focused on high-end Atlantic seafood, offering an elegant experience and strong regional identity.
A well-known harborfront seafood restaurant and fine dining address, appreciated for refined fish dishes and views of the Old Port.
A more relaxed venue from the Coutanceau family, popular for polished seafood cooking in a casual seaside setting.
Prices are moderate for France. Markets and casual dining are affordable, while summer stays and seafront restaurants cost more.
Service is usually included. Rounding up or leaving EUR 1-2 in cafes is appreciated; 5-10% for excellent restaurant service is optional. Taxis are often rounded up.
Official public transport app
La Rochelle P+R Jean Moulin, La Rochelle -> La Rochelle-Ville Station, La Rochelle
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at La Rochelle, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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