Getting Around Paris (A Local’s Transportation Guide)

There are seven main 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 lived in Paris, France for ten years and I’ve used all of the city’s transportation methods. In this article, I’ll explain the pros, cons, and costs of each one. This way, you’ll be equipped to travel around Paris comfortably and with confidence. 

Keep reading to the end of the article for my Paris travel tips that will help you save money and avoid annoying delays

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7 Ways to Get Around in Paris  

The most popular Paris transportation methods are the subway (Métro/RER), bus, and walking. Taxis, rideshares, bicycling, and driving are other options. Paris traffic laws make public transportation the best option in most scenarios. 

Here’s what you need to know about each way of getting around 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 easy and convenient way of traveling around Paris. My sister visited me in Paris for the first time a couple of years ago, and even she agreed it was super easy to use.

The city center has 308 stations. Tickets are cheap at €2.10 each. Discounted passes are available for longer stays. Paris is currently phasing out paper tickets, but you can download a pass on your phone or purchase one at a station.

Paris subway stations become more spread out in the outer neighborhoods. This is also true for the commuter train system, the RER.

The Paris Métro does not stay open 24 hours a day. It runs from 6 am to 12:45 am. This extends to 1:45 am on Fridays and Saturdays. 

The Paris Métro is not the best option for riders with disabilities. Major stations like Châtlet and Gare de Lyon have accessible platforms, however, most stations do not. The bus is a better option if you have a disability. 

Pros of the Métro: 

• Convenient 
• Cheap 
• Fast

Cons of the Métro: 

• Crowded in rush hours
• Limited late-night hours, especially on weekdays

Buses

🚍 Best for: Sightseeing 
💵 Cost: $
👉 Where to Book: Paris Je T’Aime (official Paris tourism site)

The Paris bus system is thorough. There are 70 bus lines in Paris, with thousands of stops. Many routes cut through the center of Paris, making this a great way to see the city’s attractions. 

A bus ticket is the same price as a subway ticket (€2.10). You can buy tickets on the RATP app or anywhere you buy subway tickets. You can also text “BUS+NUMBER” (example: “BUS60”) to the number 93100 to buy a ticket via SMS. 

Buses can accommodate wheelchair users. Buses also have air conditioning and good ventilation, making them a more pleasant transportation choice if you visit Paris in the summer. 

Parisian buses aren’t a good choice if you’re in a hurry, though. Paris traffic makes delays common. Don’t rely on map applications to tell you when buses are arriving, particularly at 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 is a fairly flat, even city. It’s also reasonably small considering it’s a world capital. Many attractions are clustered in the city center which makes walking an ideal choice when the weather is good. 

Walking is an especially good choice in areas like Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Marais, which have charming but narrow streets. It’s less ideal in hilly areas, 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 in these places. 

Avoid walking alone in quiet areas after dark. Download the G7 taxi app on your phone to ensure you have taxi access in an emergency, just to ensure 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 cheaper in Paris vs. London and other major cities. Paris taxis can use bus lanes, too, making them much faster than rideshares. 

Note that recent traffic regulations in Paris have made driving harder. Most streets in Paris have a maximum speed limit of 30 km/hr (18.6 mph). Bike lanes have eliminated some road space as well. This combination has led to huge traffic jams. In many cases, the subway or bus is a faster method of transportation. 

Still, if you are looking for door-to-door service or extra comfort, taxis are a good 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

🚲 Best for: Saving time
💵 Cost: $
👉 Where to Book: Velib’

Biking has become increasingly popular in Paris as the city has disincentivized driving in the past few years. Paris now has extensive bike lanes and affordable bike-sharing programs. 

Look for a Vélib station to find a bike. 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-term commitment. The company does take a deposit when you take out a bike. 

Paris drivers and pedestrians are fairly used to bicycles. This being said, I only recommend riding a bike in Paris if you are an experienced city biker. 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

Rideshares

🚍 Best for: Comfort at a low price point
💵 Cost: $$
👉 Where to Book: Uber

Rideshares may seem appealing once you’ve had an expensive taxi ride. However, rideshares are not ideal for Paris transportation. 

Although rideshares are comfortable, they can be uneven. They can also shoot up in price during peak hours. And wait times may be much longer than advertised. 

Uber is your main rideshare option, as Lyft doesn’t operate 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 journeys, day trips
💵 Cost: $$$
👉 Where to Book: Discover Cars

Paris is not a driver’s city, and recent changes to road laws have made it even less so. Streets get crowded. Traffic jams are common. The speed limit in most locations is 30 km/hr. And parking in the city center can be impossible.

However, if you are taking a day trip from Paris, driving might be your best bet. I have spent hours trying to get rental cars out of the center of the city before.

Don’t fall into this trap!

Instead, I recommend taking the subway or RER to just outside of the city and renting a car there. Doing this is much faster and will save you frustration. 

For more details, see my full guide to driving in Paris and my list of best Paris rental car companies.

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

Paris is relatively small compared to other major world capitals. This makes it easy to walk between popular attractions like museums and landmarks, particularly in the city center. 

Look at the distance between destinations to determine whether it is walkable ahead of time. Paris maps often make sites look farther apart than they are.

Don’t Count on Rideshares

Rideshares in Paris are very unreliable. They generally only save you time after the subway closes. But when this is the case, they are also in high demand. Rideshares can also take much longer than advertised to arrive. Make other transportation methods your go-to in Paris.

Plan for Public Transportation Hours and Delays

Paris public transportation is generally excellent. However, it’s always a good idea to look up the current status of a metro or bus line before taking it. Delays are common, particularly late at night. Strikes, holidays, and other events can also affect travel times significantly.

Watch for Motorcycles

Drivers in Paris can be impatient, as they are in many other big cities. This is especially so with motorcycles, which often weave in and out of traffic. Watch for them when exiting a vehicle or crossing the street. 

Set Aside a Taxi Budget

Taxi bills can add up, particularly if you have long distances to cover. Make sure to leave room in your budget for some taxis. The flexibility taxis offer is useful after dark or if public transportation is slow. 

Bicycle Only if You’re Experienced

Paris is a biker’s paradise in some ways. There are new bike routes, scenic parks, and easy access with the bike-sharing program Vélib. 

However, the traffic, uneven street surfaces, and laws make biking dangerous for less experienced riders. Use bicycles in Paris only if you’re used to riding in busy urban areas.

Avoid Electric Scooters

It is illegal to rent electric scooters in Paris as of 2023. People can still privately own them, but it’s not possible to rent them. Instead, walking or biking are your best bets. 

FAQs

Is there good public transit in Paris?

Paris has excellent public transit systems. These include the Métro/RER commuter trains and the bus network.

What are the best apps for transportation in Paris?

The best apps for transportation in Paris are Bonjour RATP for public transportation, G7 for taxis, and Velib’ for bicycles. 

Map of Paris

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Getting around Paris doesn’t have to be stressful. I hope this guide helps you feel more prepared. The very best tip for getting around Paris? Book accommodations in an area of Paris that’s most convenient for you and your chosen attractions.