There are seven primary ways to get around Paris: Métro/RER, taxi, rideshares, walking, bus, bicycle, and driving. The best transportation method for you will depend on your budget and Paris itinerary. This guide to getting around Paris will help you decide which transportation method is right for you.
I’ve resided in Paris, France for a decade and experienced all of the city`s transportation options firsthand. In this article, I’ll explain the advantages, drawbacks, and costs of each to prepare you to explore Paris with convenience and self-assurance.
Keep reading until the end of the article for my Paris travel recommendations that will help save money and avoid annoying delays.
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Table of Contents
7 Ways to Get Around in Paris
The most popular means of transportation in Paris are the subway (Métro/RER), bus, and walking. Taxis, rideshares, bicycling, and driving are other possibilities. Paris traffic laws make public transportation the best option in most scenarios.
The following conveys important information about the different transportation options available in Paris:
Métro/RER
🚆 Best for: Saving money and time
💵 Cost: $
👉 Where to Book:Paris Je T’Aime (official Paris tourism site)
The Paris subway system, “the Métro,” is an accessible and convenient method of traveling around Paris. The city center has 308 stations.
Tickets for the Paris metro are quite affordable at €2.10 each. Discounted longer-term fare options are accessible. The city is presently phasing out paper tickets, but users can download a pass on their phone device or obtain one at a station location.
Paris subway stations become more spread out in the outer residential areas. This is also true for the commuter train system, the RER.
The Paris Métro does not operate 24 hours each day. It runs from 6 am to 12:45 am. This extends to 1:45 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Those with disabilities may find bus transport serves them better in Paris given the inaccessibility of underground stations, barring key hubs with level access like Châtlet and Gare de Lyon where most platforms remain a challenge.
Pros of the Métro:
- Convenient
- Cheap
- Fast
Cons of the Métro:
- Crowded in rush hours
- Restricted evening hours, particularly on weekdays
Buses
🚍 Best for: Seeing sights around the city
💵 Cost: $
👉 Where to Book:The official Paris tourism website
The extensive Paris bus network has 70 lines and thousands of stops. Many routes pass through central Paris, making this a great way to see the city’s attractions.
A bus ticket costs the same as a subway ticket (€2.10). You can purchase tickets via the RATP app or anywhere subway tickets are sold. You can also text “BUS+NUMBER” (example: “BUS60”) to the number 93100 to buy a ticket by SMS.
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Parisian buses aren’t a good choice if you’re in a hurry, though. Traffic in Paris makes delays common. Don’t rely on map applications to tell you when buses are arriving, particularly during rush hour.
Pros of the Bus:
- Sightseeing is easy
- Convenient stops throughout Paris
- Night buses are available
Cons of the Bus:
- Delays are common
- Crowded in rush hours
Walking
🚶🏿♂️ Best for: Freedom to explore
💵 Cost: Free
Paris has a largely level landscape and is moderately sized as a world capital. Many noteworthy locations are clustered in the center, making walking a suitable option when weather permits exploring the attractions on foot.
Strolling is an especially suitable choice in areas like Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Marais, which have charming albeit narrow roadways. It’s less adapted in hilly regions, like in parts of the 18th and 19th districts.
Wheelchair users or those with limited mobility may find areas with cobblestone streets harder to navigate. Buses are a good alternative mode of transportation in these places.
It is advised to avoid wandering alone in quiet areas after dark. Download the G7 taxi app on your phone to ensure taxi accessibility in an emergency, just to guarantee extra safety in Paris.
Pros of Walking:
- Free
- Access to smaller streets
- A fast method for many journeys
Cons of Walking:
- Weather-dependent
- Comfortable shoes are necessary
Taxis
🚕Best for: Comfort
💵 Cost: $$$
👉 Where to Book:G7
Taxis are sometimes a good choice in Paris. They’re comfortable and most have air conditioning. Taxis are also less expensive in Paris vs. London and other major cities. Paris taxis can use bus lanes, too, making them much faster than rideshares.
Note that recent transportation regulations in Paris have complicated driving there. Most streets have a 30 km/hr (18.6 mph) speed limit maximum. Bike paths eliminating some road space along with this have led to major traffic jams. In many cases, the subway or bus offers a quicker way to get around.
Still, if door-to-door transportation or extra comfort is important, taxis present a viable choice. Use the G7 app or head to a nearby taxi stand.
Pros of Taxis:
- Fast, particularly compared to rideshares
- Easy to hail with the G7 app
- Can be a good way to see the city
Cons of Taxis:
- Can be pricey
- Can take time to arrive
Biking
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Cycling has become increasingly popular in Paris as the city has discouraged driving in recent years. Paris now has extensive bicycle paths and affordable bike-sharing programs.
Look in a Vélib station to find a bicycle. There are almost 1,400 of these gray stations throughout the city. You can get a ticket for 1 or 3 days, or, subscribe for a longer commitment. The company does require a deposit when taking out a bike.
Paris drivers and pedestrians are fairly accustomed to bicycles. This being said, I only recommend riding a bike in Paris if you are an experienced city cyclist. Car doors opening, unpredictable pedestrians, motorcycles, and other factors all pose risks for bike riders.
Pros of Biking:
- Cheap
- Fast
- Convenient
Cons of Biking:
- Can be dangerous
- Easy to get lost
🚍 Best for: Comfort at a low cost
💵 Cost: Moderate cost
👉 Where to Book:Uber
Ridesharing apps seem convenient once you`ve experienced an expensive cab fare. But, ridesharing is not ideally suited for navigation around Paris.”
While rideshares are comfortable, they can be unpredictable. Their prices may also surge during peak hours. And wait times may be much longer than advertised.
Uber is your primary rideshare choice, as Lyft doesn’t function in Paris. Note that unlike taxis, rideshares cannot use bus lanes. This means that rideshares are generally slower.
Pros of Rideshares:
- Comfortable
- Door-to-door service
- Easy
Cons of Rideshares:
- Can be expensive, particularly at peak times
- Slower than taxis
- Can take a long time to book
Driving
🚍 Best for: Longer excursions, day trips
💵 Cost: $$$
👉 Where to Book:Discover Cars
Driving is not ideal in Paris, and adjustments to transportation laws have emphasized this even more so. Streets experience heavy traffic. Traffic jams are a regular occurrence. The typical speed limit covers most areas at approximately 30 kilometers per hour. Locating parking in the city center can prove impossible.
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Don’t fall into this trap!
Instead, I recommend taking public transportation to the outskirts of the city and obtaining the use of a motor vehicle there. Doing so would be much swifter and would save frustration.
For more details, see my extensive guide covering driving in Paris and my list of best companies for renting a vehicle in Paris.
Pros of Driving:
- Good for remote locations
- Flexibility
Cons of Driving:
- High gas prices
- Low speed limits and limited routes in Paris
- High levels of traffic
- Difficult parking
7 Tips For Getting Around Paris
Walk as Much as Possible
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Look at the distance between destinations ahead of time to determine whether it is walkable. Paris maps often make sites look farther apart than they are.
Rideshares in Paris are quite unreliable. They usually only save time after the subway closes. However, when this is the case, they are also in high demand. Rideshares can also take much longer than estimated to arrive. Make other means of transportation your preferred options in Paris.
Plan for Public Transportation Hours and Delays
While Paris` general public transportation is quite efficient, it`s wise to verify the current status of any metro or bus route before taking it. Delays are typical, especially late at night. Strikes, holidays, and other events can significantly impact travel durations.
Watch for Motorcycles
Motorists in Paris can be impatient, as they are in many other big cities. This is particularly so with motorcycles, which regularly weave in and out of traffic. Watch for them when exiting a vehicle or crossing the street.
Set Aside a Taxi Budget
Taxi fares can add up significantly, particularly if you have long distances to travel. Make sure to budget adequately for some taxi rides. The convenience taxis provide is beneficial after dark or if public transit is slow.
Bicycle Only if You’re Experienced
Paris is a cyclist`s paradise in some ways. There are new bike routes, scenic parks, and easy access with the bike-sharing program Vélib.
However, traveling by bicycle in Paris could be dangerous for less experienced riders due to factors like traffic, uneven street surfaces, and road laws. Only use bicycles in the city if you are accustomed to cycling in busy urban environments.
Avoid Electric Scooters
It is against the law to rent electric scooters in Paris starting in 2023. People can still personally own them, but renting them is not possible. Instead, walking or cycling are your best options.
Paris Custom Itinerary
Craft your own custom itinerary without stress. Get a self-guided trip plan tailored by our local expert Rachel.
FAQ About Transportation in Paris
Is there good public transit in Paris?
Paris features excellent public transit like the metro/RER commuter rails and bus network.
What are the best apps for transportation in Paris?
The top transportation apps in Paris are Bonjour RATP for public transit, G7 for taxis, and Velib’ for bicycles.
Map of Paris
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Navigating Paris does not necessarily have to induce stress. I hope these recommendations aid you in feeling more equipped. The most prudent suggestion for getting around Paris? Book lodgings in an area of Paris most beneficial to your chosen destinations.
