Getting around Paris
A Public Transport Guide for ParisThe capital city is practically designed for public transit - and it’s easy to get almost anywhere in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re going to the airport or the surrounding suburbs, Paris’ efficient transportation network - which includes métros, buses, trains, trams, and ride and bike share options - will quickly whisk you to your next destination.
Public transport in Paris has a long history - more than 500 years to be exact. Horse-drawn vehicles were the original taxis and buses in the city, and today the bus network has grown to more than 12,000 stops. As for the métro, the first line was inaugurated at the turn of the century and is now the easiest and quickest way to get around Paris. With trains and buses running from either airport right into central Paris, where you can connect to métro and bus lines, you can rely on public transport your entire stay and not need to call or hail a taxi. But, if you do need a car, it won’t take long for a taxi or ride-share to arrive. You can even download an app and order a taxi right from your phone, so no need to search for a dedicated taxi stand. Apps are also a great way to navigate the public transportation network, so you’ll know exactly which lines to take and the estimated time you’ll arrive at your destination.
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By Car
Paris’ labyrinth-like streets can be difficult to navigate if you’re not familiar with French traffic rules – or French drivers. But if you rent a car at one of the airports, train stations, or agencies in town, you’ll find plenty of parking in marked garages, and some spots along the street offer hourly parking. Google Maps and apps like Waze are great resources for navigating the city’s streets and avoiding any traffic build-ups or road closures due to construction (which is commonly the case in Paris).
By Taxi
The only downside about a taxi in Paris is that not all accept credit cards - so always good to have cash on hand.
At the airports, follow the taxi signs outside to the dedicated stands. Prices are set, so if you’re traveling from Charles de Gaulle airport to the right bank, it’s €55 ($60), or €62 ($68) to the right bank. Don’t get swayed by people offering taxi services at the airport if they’re not part of the official taxi stations outside.
Unlike New York, you can’t hail a taxi in Paris and expect it to stop (although, on rare occasions, it actually does). You’ll need to wait at an official taxi stand – there are many throughout the city – or have your hotel or restaurant call you a cab. Fares start at €2.60 ($2.84) and charge around €0.96 ($1) per kilometer during the day and go up a bit more in the evenings and on Sundays. To book a G7 taxi on your own, go online or call +33 (0)1 47 39 47 39 or 36 07.
By Ride-Share
If you’re planning to go outside of the city, confirm with the driver when you request to book via a ride-sharing app, since some will refuse you in person if they don’t want a longer ride.
In Paris, you’ll find ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt, plus others common in Europe like FREE NOW. Compare rates because prices can vary significantly among the apps, and sometimes a taxi is the cheaper option. What’s great about these apps is that you don’t have to worry about speaking French or dealing with transaction fees because you’re using your credit card. Unless it’s a strike or particularly bad weather, it doesn’t take more than a few minutes for a driver to arrive. If you’re with a pet, Uber is the best option since you can request an Uber Pet car.
By Métro and Tram
It’s not hard to find a métro station in Paris – just look for a large yellow “M.” There are 16 lines and around 300 stations, and métros run daily and on holidays, starting from around 6 am until 12:45 am (Sunday through Thursday) or until 1:45 am on weekends.
I often use the Citymapper app because it takes strikes and other situations into account to calculate the best route.
Tickets are €2.10 ($2) each and are only valid for zones 1 and 2, so you’ll need a different ticket if you’re heading to the airport, for example. You can use the same ticket to connect to other modes of transport (for up to 90 minutes) within the same zones, such as the five lines of the RER train serving Paris and the region, the four tramway lines, and buses.
Keep an eye on your bag and other personal items – pickpockets are common on the métro. Make sure to validate your ticket through the turnstile when getting into the métro, otherwise, you could be fined. Sometimes stops may be shut due to construction or strikes, but this will usually be announced on board, in the station, or on signs.
By Bike
A popular way to get around town is by bike, and the city has set up velib’ bike sharing stations all around town. The best part? You don’t need a subscription – you can get a single ride or day pass for an electric or regular bike (check the app for up-to-date fares). If you download the app, you can also see where the stations are located and how many bikes are in each.
By Bus
In addition to the métro network, the city has 64 bus lines that run on special lanes along main roads, so you can skip the city traffic and get around above ground quicker. Buses run from 7 am until 12:30 am, but some lines may stop earlier in the evening, around 8:30 pm. On Sundays and public holidays, about half of the lines are running, so be sure to check if yours is operating.
The same ticket you’d use in the métro also works on buses, and you can connect to different modes of public transport in the same zone for up to 90 minutes. You can purchase tickets on board, if you have cash, for a slightly higher rate (€2.50, about $2.75), or at a ticket desk or machine in métro, RER, bus, and tram stations.
Similar to the métro, you’ll need to validate the ticket in one of the machines when you board the bus. There’s also the option of an onboard SMS ticket by texting “Bus + number of the route” to 93100, which you can show the driver when you board. If you’re looking for a night bus service, the Noctilien runs from 12:30 am to 5:30 am, with 47 lines running throughout the city.