Renaissance castles, caves and Chenin Blanc
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Loire Valley Châteaux
Tours to Amboise
Tours and Amboise sit about 22 km (14 mi) apart in a straight line, with Amboise to the east. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Loire Valley Châteaux itinerary, a 6-day trip. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 22 km · 14 mi
- Est. road distance
- 27–31 km
- Est. drive time
- 20–40 min
- Direction
- Heading east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By train
Our Loire Valley Châteaux itinerary is planned around rail, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.
By car
Driving is an estimated 27–31 km (17–20 mi) and 20–40 min at typical average speeds, not a routed time.
TGVs reach Tours (Saint-Pierre-des-Corps) from Paris in about 1 hour. Regional trains link Tours with Amboise, Chenonceaux and Saumur, but a car or bike makes château-hopping easier.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Amboise
Riverside royal town with Leonardo's last home, close to Chenonceau. Stay 2 days.
Château Royal d'Amboise
Royal château on a ridge over the Loire, with Leonardo's tomb in its chapel.
Amboise Market
Riverside market with cheeses, charcuterie and produce.
Maison Bigot
Pâtisserie and tearoom below the château since 1913.
Loire à Vélo
Signed riverside cycle route; the Amboise–Tours stretch is about 25 km and flat.
Clos Lucé
Manor where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years, with models of his inventions in the park.
Château de Chenonceau
Château spanning the River Cher on arches, shaped by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici.
Before you leave Tours
Lively university city and rail hub for the western châteaux. Stay 2 days.
On this curated route
Where Tours → Amboise sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Amboise to Tours is the same 22 km in a straight line, heading west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Tours to Amboise: questions travelers ask
How far is Tours from Amboise?
Tours is about 22 km (14 mi) from Amboise in a straight line, with Amboise to the east. By road, we estimate 27–31 km (17–20 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Tours to Amboise?
An estimated 20–40 min, assuming 27–31 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.
Which itineraries include the trip from Tours to Amboise?
Our Loire Valley Châteaux itinerary includes this leg. Loire Valley Châteaux runs about 6 days across 3 stops, best in May – Sep.
Onward from Amboise
- Amboise to Saumur 82 km
Guides for both ends
- Tours travel guide
- Tours weather best time to visit
- Amboise travel guide
- Amboise weather best time to visit
Amboise by month
Plan Tours → Amboise with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.