Disneyland Paris and Fontainebleau are roughly 60 km apart, but since they are not connected by the same railway line, travelling by public transport requires retracing your steps into central Paris and then going out again. For someone who is staying close to the parks and wishes to visit the Château de Fontainebleau or spend a day in the forest, this detour results in an extra amount of travel time for what should be a short journey.
The guide is aimed at families who wish to extend their visit to Disneyland Paris by taking a day trip to Fontainebleau, at groups that are moving between the two locations, and at people who are comparing the train travel with that of a taxi, a rideshare, or a private transfer. By road the journey takes approximately 55 minutes, while the train journey—requiring a change of train at Gare de Lyon—takes around 75 to 90 minutes. A private transfer from Disneyland Paris to Fontainebleau covers the direct road route and avoids the need to change trains, something that is most important when you are traveling with young children or a large amount of luggage.
How Far Is Disneyland Paris from Fontainebleau
Disneyland Paris is located in Marne-la-Vallée, which is around 32 km east of central Paris; Fontainebleau is about 57 km south of Paris as well, on the other side of the city, where the château and the nearby forest are found.
The distance by road between the two places is approximately 60 km; if you take a car and follow the N104 and A5/A6 south (going past Melun), the journey will take about 55 minutes in normal traffic.
Since the two towns are situated outside central Paris in different directions, the quickest road journey between them avoids the city centre entirely. The train, on the other hand, goes through the centre, which is the reason why it takes longer even though the straight-line distance is shorter.
The rush hour can make the journey last longer: between 7 and 9 AM in the morning when travelling through the junction of the N104 and A5 near Melun and again in the evening between 5 and 7 PM as you leave the Paris area, the drive can take between 70 and 85 minutes.
What Are the Transfer Options from Disneyland Paris to Fontainebleau
The prices on this route differ more according to the type of transfer than according to the operator; a private transfer or taxi has a rate almost equal to a fixed one for the distance, the train's fare depends on the kind of tickets you purchase, and the ride-hailing apps' prices vary with demand.
Public transport
Train (RER A and Transilien R). From Marne-la-Vallée Chessy station take the RER A all the way to Gare de Lyon — the journey takes 22 minutes and requires no changes. When you arrive at Gare de Lyon, transfer to the Transilien R line bound for Montereau or Montargis and get off at Fontainebleau-Avon (not Fontainebleau — some journey planners will automatically select the wrong station if you search using just the town name). This section of the journey lasts approximately 40 minutes and has a service frequency of about every 30 minutes.
- Travel time: 75–90 minutes including the walk between platforms at Gare de Lyon
- Comfort: standard commuter train seating, can be crowded during peak hours
- Luggage: manageable with a carry-on or small suitcase; awkward with strollers or multiple large bags across two changes
- Ideal user: solo travelers or couples without heavy luggage who don't mind one connection
- Price basis: per passenger, roughly €10–15 for separate tickets (RER A portion plus the Fontainebleau-Avon fare), less if you already hold a zone 1–5 Navigo pass
Pros: cheapest option on paper; trains run every 30 minutes most of the day
Cons: one mandatory change at Gare de Lyon with a walk between platforms; service thins out later in the evening; not practical with a stroller, wheelchair, or more than one large suitcase per person
If you prefer to avoid the platform change altogether, a private transfer will cover the same distance without stopping in Paris.
Private transport
Private transfer. A car or minivan that has been pre-booked will meet you at either your hotel, the Disney Village, or the Marne-la-Vallée Chessy station and drive you directly along the N104/A5 route to your destination at Fontainebleau — whether this be the hotel, the château, or the forest trailhead.
- Travel time: about 55 minutes, door to door
- Comfort: private vehicle, no stops, no platform changes
- Luggage: handled by the driver, sized to the vehicle you book
- Ideal user: families with kids, groups with luggage, anyone with a fixed château entry time
- Price basis: fixed per vehicle, roughly €110–160 for a sedan (up to 3 passengers) and €160–220 for a minivan (up to 7–8 passengers)
Pros: fixed price agreed before pickup; direct route; no waiting for connections
Cons: costs more per person than the train if you're traveling solo or as a pair
There is a taxi stand at the Marne-la-Vallée Chessy station and taxis that are properly regulated will take this route on the meter.
- Travel time: about 55 minutes in normal traffic
- Comfort: similar to a private transfer, though the vehicle and driver are unknown until pickup
- Luggage: fits in the trunk of a standard sedan; larger groups may need two cars
- Ideal user: travelers who prefer to book on arrival rather than in advance
- Price basis: metered, roughly €110–150 one way, with possible waiting-time or night-rate supplements
Pros: available without advance booking at the station rank
Cons: metered fare can run higher than a pre-agreed transfer price if traffic is heavy; fewer taxis available right after park closing when demand spikes
Book your private transfer Now.
Ride-hailing services (such as Uber and Bolt) are also available in the Île-de-France area and will permit journeys to Fontainebleau.
- Travel time: about 55 minutes when a driver is available
- Comfort: comparable to a taxi
- Luggage: standard car boot space; check vehicle size before booking if traveling with a stroller
- Ideal user: travelers comfortable with variable pricing who don't need a guaranteed pickup time
- Price basis: dynamic, roughly €90–140, higher during surge periods around park closing time
Pros: often cheaper than a metered taxi outside peak hours
Cons: driver availability drops the further you get from central Paris, and fares surge right when the parks close for the night — the exact window when most families are trying to leave
Car rental. Hertz is the official car rental partner of Disneyland Paris and has a counter located at the Marne-la-Vallée Chessy TGV station; Avis and some other companies also work at the same location.
- Travel time: about 55 minutes, plus time to collect the vehicle
- Comfort: full control over stops, including the Fontainebleau forest trails en route
- Luggage: as much as the car holds
- Ideal user: travelers planning to explore beyond Fontainebleau itself, like the forest or nearby towns
- Price basis: from roughly €45–75 per day for an economy car, plus parking at both ends and any autoroute tolls on your route
Pros: flexible for stops in the forest or side trips afterward
Cons: you're driving in an unfamiliar region, and parking near the château fills up on weekends
With young children and a fixed time for visiting the château, a private transfer eliminates the one factor beyond your control when taking the train—namely, whether the connection at Gare de Lyon goes off without a hitch with all of your bags.
Comparison of Transfer Options
| Option | Time | Comfort | Luggage | Direct | Cost |
|---|
| Train (RER A + Transilien R) | 75–90 min | Standard, can be crowded | Manageable, awkward with strollers | No (1 change) | €10–15 pp |
| Private transfer | ~55 min | High | Handled by driver | Yes | €110–220 per vehicle |
| Taxi | ~55 min | High | Fits standard trunk | Yes | €110–150 |
| Ride app | ~55 min | High | Standard trunk space | Yes | €90–140 |
| Car rental | ~55 min + pickup | Full control | As much as car holds | Yes | €45–75/day + extras |
Best Option for Different Travelers
For families who have children, a private transfer will allow you to avoid having to change platforms at Gare de Lyon while looking after a stroller and dealing with nap times.
For couples the train is the most economical option provided that neither of you is carrying more than a backpack.
A minivan private transfer usually costs less per person than a number of train tickets or two taxis.
As for budget travelers, the combination of the RER A and the Transilien R is the cheapest option, even having to change trains.
For business travelers, a private transfer or taxi ensures that the time scheduled for a meeting or a tour of the château is not affected by delays on the train.
For people travelling with a lot of luggage, a private transfer or taxi is available so that you don't have to carry your bags between the platforms at Gare de Lyon.
For those who are visiting for the first time, a private transfer eliminates the necessity of working out the Fontainebleau-Avon stop name and the platform letters at Gare de Lyon.
For those who travel late at night, it's advisable to book a private transfer in advance since the number of available taxis and rideshare vehicles decreases immediately after the parks close.
For people who are short on time, the fixed pickup time for a private transfer is easier to arrange around than the 30-minute interval of the train.
Elderly travelers: Door-to-door transfer avoids stairs and long walks inside Gare de Lyon.
Why a Private Transfer Is the Most Convenient Option
A private transfer is the only solution for overcoming the two drawbacks that the other options fail to address: the necessity of changing trains at Gare de Lyon and the fact that taxi or rideshare services are not always available when the parks close.
Professional drivers are already familiar with the N104/A5 route around Melun and so there is no need to reroute during the journey or to miss an exit.
What fixed pricing means is that the price agreed at the time of booking remains the same even if the evening traffic near Melun increases the journey time by 15 minutes.
Comfort is achieved by not having to push luggage or a stroller around the platforms at Gare de Lyon, or by scheduling your naps to match the 30-minute interval of the trains.
The 24 hour a day availability applies to both ends of the journey — that is, to an early pickup to match the château's opening time or a late pickup after the evening fireworks.
👉 Book your private transfer from Disneyland Paris to Fontainebleau and arrange your pickup time and the size of the vehicle in advance.
Travel Time by Time of Day
From 7 to 9 AM the N104/A5 route has a good deal of commuter traffic and the road journey should take about 60 to 70 minutes. The trains operate according to their normal schedule, but during this time the platforms at Gare de Lyon are the most crowded.
From midday until 4 PM there is the lightest amount of traffic, the time taken to drive being almost equal to the baseline of 55 minutes and the waiting time for the Transilien R connection being shorter.
From five to seven in the evening the time taken to drive on the N104/A5 route through the Paris area can reach between 70 and 85 minutes and the train connections at Gare de Lyon become more crowded because of the evening commuters.
At night (about 8 to 11 PM, after the park has closed): traffic on the road decreases and as a result the journey takes about 55 minutes. Even so, the demand for taxis and rideshare services near Disneyland rises sharply at this time, and this is the main reason for booking a transfer in advance rather than attempting to find a car at the counter.
Cost Breakdown by Transfer Type
Per person the train is the cheapest method of travelling along this route—about €10 to €15 when taking two separate tickets for the RER A and Transilien R sections, less if you already have a Navigo pass for zone 5.
Even though a private transfer or taxi has a higher absolute cost it is charged on a per-vehicle basis, not per passenger. When a family of four splits a cost of €130 to €160 approximately four ways, the total comes to something close to the price of a train ticket when both the outward and return journeys and the connection are taken into account.
Be aware of the following hidden costs: taxi meters can charge you for the time you are waiting and may also apply a supplement if the trip is made at night; rideshare services increase their fares immediately after the park closes; and when hiring a car you will be charged for parking at both the Disney Village and the Fontainebleau town centre, as well as for any autoroute tolls that apply to your particular route.
When two or more people are traveling together, the fixed per-vehicle rate for a private transfer generally provides the better value per person when you take into account the cost of separate train tickets or the taxi meter running through the evening traffic.
Tips for a Smooth Transfer Experience
- Book your transfer in advance, especially on weekends when the château and forest draw day-trip crowds from Paris
- Choose a minivan rather than a sedan once you're traveling with more than three passengers or a stroller
- Avoid the 5–7 PM window on the N104/A5 corridor if your schedule allows it
- Search for "Fontainebleau-Avon," not "Fontainebleau," when checking train times — it's the actual stop name
- Keep your hotel or château entrance address ready for the driver before pickup
- Request a child seat in advance if traveling with young kids
- Expect the Transilien R to be busier during the Saturday market and weekend forest-hiking crowds
- Confirm your taxi or transfer accepts card payment if you're not carrying cash
- Save your driver's contact number if you've booked a private transfer, in case pickup timing shifts
- Pack light if taking the train — you'll be walking between platforms at Gare de Lyon
- Check the forecast; the walk between Gare de Lyon platforms is partly outdoors
FAQ
Does a direct train run from Disneyland Paris to Fontainebleau?
By no means—take the RER A from Marne-la-Vallée Chessy to Gare de Lyon and then switch to the Transilien R heading towards Fontainebleau-Avon. The entire journey will take approximately 75 to 90 minutes including the time spent changing trains.
How can I get from Disneyland Paris to Fontainebleau the fastest?
It takes about 55 minutes to get there by private transfer, taxi, or rental car; the train is slower since it goes via Gare de Lyon.
What's the cheapest way to get from Disneyland Paris to Fontainebleau?
The price for the train is about €10 to €15 per person when taking separate RER A and Transilien R tickets, or less if you have a zone 1–5 Navigo pass.
What is the cost of a private transfer from Disneyland Paris to Fontainebleau?
A sedan that seats up to three usually costs between €110 and €160, while a minivan that seats up to seven or eight costs between €160 and €220, with the prices being given per vehicle and not per person.
Is it possible to get a taxi at Disneyland Paris for Fontainebleau?
Yes, there's a taxi rank at Marne-la-Vallée Chessy station. Availability drops right after the park closes, so a pre-booked transfer is more reliable then.
Is Fontainebleau train station called Fontainebleau or something else?
The stop is named Fontainebleau-Avon. Searching just "Fontainebleau" in some journey planners can return the wrong result.
Do ride apps like Uber work between Disneyland Paris and Fontainebleau?
Yes, but driver availability thins out the further you get from central Paris, and fares surge in the hour after the parks close.
Planning your return trip? See our guide to Fontainebleau to Disneyland Paris Transfer Options for the best ways back.
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