Getting around Paris

Paris is a city known for its efficient and extensive public transport system. To navigate this system effectively, it’s important to understand the concept of transport zones. Let me break it down for you. 

In Paris, the public transport system is divided into five zones, which are represented as circles.

Zone 1 is the innermost zone and covers the city center, while the zones radiate outwards to Zone 5.   If you’re planning to explore the city center and visit popular attractions, you’ll be happy to know that Zones 1 to 3 cover the majority of these areas. However, there are some locations that fall outside of these zones. For instance, Versailles and Orly Airport are in Zone 4, while CDG Airport, Disneyland Paris, and Château de Fontainebleau are located in Zone 5. 

Now, here’s an interesting fact about Paris compared to cities like London. In Paris, the fare zones do not affect the pricing of individual metro tickets. This means that a single metro ticket can be used for any journey, regardless of the zones covered. The zone system primarily comes into play when it comes to pricing transport passes.  For example, if you’re planning to make use of public transport extensively, you can opt for a Paris Visite transport pass. This pass allows you to travel within Zones 1 to 3 or even extend it to cover Zones 1 to 5. However, do keep in mind that the latter option will be more expensive.

Tickets for Travel in Central Paris

For a single journey, you can buy an individual ticket known as a t+ ticket. This currently costs €2.15 when bought in advance (as of February 2024). These can be bought from any station, and can be used for any of the following:

A single journey on the metro in any zone (you can transfer lines and travel for up to 90 minutes from validation). You can also transfer to the RER for Zone 1 travel.

Zone 1 travel on the RER

A bus journey of up to 90 minutes from the first to last validation, including bus changes and change to the tram

A tram journey of up to 90 minutes fro the first to last validation, including changing to another tram.

A single ride on the Montmartre Funicular

It is also possible to purchase a single t+ ticket when boarding a bus, this costs €2.50.

You can also buy a pass that covers multiple journeys over a period of time.

A Navigo Easy card costs €2 to buy, and can be purchased from ticket offices at most metro stations. It’s about the same size as a credit card. Once purchased, you preload it with tickets.

Both the Navigo Easy cards and single t+ cardboard tickets can be purchased from metro stations, as well as some bus stations, tram stations, train stations and tabac stores.

At metro stations, there will be vending machines selling paper tickets, and these accept both card and cash payments. The machines also allow you to top up your Navigo Easy card. There will also often be machines solely for recharging the Navigo Easy card. These are purple and say “Rechargement Navigo”.

For the Navigo Easy card, these need to be purchased at ticket offices.

These machines are also multilingual, so you can choose your preferred language when you buy the ticket.

If you would prefer to use your smartphone to pay for your travel in Paris, this is an option. You can use the Bonjour RATP app on your smartphone. This can be used instead of a Navigo Easy card, and saves you the €2 fee for the Navigo Easy card.

How To Get Around Paris

There are many options for getting around Paris. Below I will go through each of these options so you can pick the right one for your needs.

Some of these are public transport options, such as the Metro, RER and bus. These are operated by RATP, and you can see full fare information and schedules for these services here.

Other services include taxis, ride shares, and bicycle hire.

BUS

Did you know that there are approximately 70 bus routes that cover central Paris? It’s quite convenient, isn’t it? Just keep in mind that some bus stops are request only, so make sure to signal the driver when you see your bus approaching.

What’s even better is that the Paris bus system uses the same tickets as the metro, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing separate ones. You can use either paper tickets or a Navigo Easy card, whichever suits you best.

Now, if you happen to forget your ticket when boarding the bus, don’t panic! You can usually buy a single ticket from the driver for €2.50. Just remember to have the exact change handy, as it makes the process smoother for everyone.

As for the operating hours, the bus service in Paris typically runs from 5.30am until midnight. However, if you find yourself out late and the metro has already stopped running, fear not! There are four night bus lines, known as “Noctiliens,” that operate until around 4 a.m. They can be a great alternative to get you where you need to go, as long as you can find a route that aligns with your destination.

METRO

The Paris Metro is my go-to mode of transportation when exploring central Paris. It’s our top choice because it’s speedy, affordable, reliable, and conveniently connects to most of the city’s attractions.

Currently, the Paris metro system consists of 308 stations, primarily covering transport zones 1 and 2. No matter where you find yourself in central Paris, you’ll never be too far away from a metro stop.

Each line is assigned a number from 1 to 14, with two additional lines called 3bis and 7bis. These extra lines were originally branch lines that have now become independent lines. To make it even easier to identify each line, they are also assigned a unique color. When you approach a metro station at street level, you’ll notice signs indicating the lines served by that station. The number of the line will be enclosed in a circle representing its designated color.

To access the platform, you’ll need a valid ticket. This can be either a physical ticket or a Navigo Easy card, which you can scan at the turnstiles as you make your way through the station.

The Paris metro operates from approximately 5:30 am until 12:40 am from Sunday to Thursday, and from 5:30 am until 1:40 am on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s important to note that due to the age of the metro network in Paris, there are limited accessibility options for individuals with reduced mobility. The RATP website also offers a comprehensive guide to accessibility across their network.

TRAM

Paris offers a wide range of rail-based transportation options. In addition to the metro, RER, and standard suburban rail lines, there are also 10 tram lines available.

The reintroduction of trams in Paris during the 1990s was a response to the growing interest in environmentally friendly public transportation. Currently, there are 10 tram lines spread across the city, with most of them operating in the suburbs. Consequently, the majority of visitors to the city center may not be familiar with or utilize the tram system.

RATP is responsible for operating the tram system, and it accepts the same tickets as the metro. Therefore, passengers can use single t+ tickets, Navigo cards, or travel passes to access the trams.

Tram stops are located above ground and follow a similar marking system as the RER. Each tram line is assigned a unique number and color, which is displayed in a circular symbol matching the line’s color. This symbol is prefixed with a blue circle containing the letter T. 

RER & TRAIN LINES

Paris also boasts a comprehensive rail network. The rail network in Paris is divided into two main categories: the RER trains and the other train lines. The RER trains, which stands for Réseau Express Régional, along with the other train lines primarily connect the suburban areas of the city to the city center. While in the city center, these trains run underground and share some stations with the metro. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to distinguish between the metro and the train lines.

There are a total of five RER lines, labeled from A to E. Additionally, there are eight non-RER train lines, namely H, J, K, L, N, P, R, and U. The RER lines are easily identifiable by a letter inside a circle, with both the outline of the circle and the letter having a unique color. For instance, RER line A features a red letter A inside a red circle with a white background. To further emphasize that it is an RER line, the letters “RER” are displayed in blue inside a blue circle. Here’s an example of what you can expect to see.

The other train lines in Paris have a similar design, but with a square outline instead of a circle. It is worth noting that there are fewer train stops in central Paris compared to metro stops. Therefore, most visitors will likely rely on the metro for their journeys rather than the RER or other train lines.

However, there are certain situations where visitors to Paris may find themselves using one of these train lines. For example, if you’re looking to travel from the city center to Versailles, taking RER line C is the easiest option. Other popular destinations that can be reached via the RER include Paris CDG airport (RER B) and Disneyland Paris (RER A).

The RER trains operate on a scheduled service, with most trains running from around 5am until just after midnight. For a detailed timetable of all the RER routes, you can refer to this resource. In terms of accessibility, many of the train stations and trains on the RER and Transilien network are fully accessible. You can find a map of the accessible routes here.

FUNICULAR

Did you know that Paris only has one funicular? Well, technically it’s not even a funicular anymore. It’s actually a double inclined elevator. But don’t let that stop you from experiencing the Montmartre Funicular in the beautiful Montmartre region of Paris.  Back in 1900, they realized that a regular train wouldn’t be able to conquer the steep hill of Montmartre. So, they came up with the idea of a funicular to transport the residents up the hill. And it’s still in operation today, thanks to RATP.  If you’re planning to visit the Sacre Coeur at the top of the hill, the funicular is a popular choice. It saves you from climbing all those daunting steps. Plus, it’s quite a unique experience.  There are two stations for the funicular, one at the bottom and one at the top. They are about 40 meters apart, and each station has its own cabin. So, you can imagine the stunning views you’ll get during the ride.  When it comes to ticketing, it works just like the Paris metro. You can use the same tickets that you use for the metro, such as the T+ tickets, Navigo passes, and Paris Visite pass. Just make sure to validate your ticket at the turnstile before hopping on the platform.  If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, don’t worry. There are ticket machines and a service window at the funicular. However, it can get busy, so it’s always a good idea to have your tickets in advance.  One thing to keep in mind is that you can’t transfer from another metro line to the funicular.

RIDESHARE OPTIONS

Paris also has rideshare firms, including popular global ridesharing apps like Uber, Heetch and FreeNow. 

TAXI

As with most other cities in the world, Paris has an extensive taxi network. Taxi services in Paris fall into two main categories – the taxis that you can hail on the street or at taxi ranks, and private hire firms.

The former operate a metered service across the city, with fixed pricing available for some routes such as from the Paris airports into the city.

Licensed taxis in Paris are officially marked and have a taxi light on the roof. If the light is green, the taxi is available for hire, if it is amber it is not.

Be wary of unsolicited offers from anyone claiming to be a taxi driver, especially at popular public locations like airports and train stations. At venues like this, if you want to hire a taxi, always go to the official taxi stand.

We have found pricing to be reasonable for both the fixed price and metered routes in Paris.

For private hire, there are a number of services offering pre-booked private hire rides.

RIVERBOAT

The River Seine flows through the heart of Paris, passing by several major attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Musee D’Orsay, the Louvre, and Notre Dame. This makes it possible to navigate Paris using river boats. There are two options available for this purpose. The first option is to take a sightseeing river cruise, which usually involves a round-trip excursion where passengers stay on the boat and disembark at the same location they boarded. While these cruises may not be the most practical way to travel around Paris, they offer a delightful opportunity for sightseeing.

If you are interested in this experience, I recommend referring to our comprehensive guide on Seine River Cruises, which provides detailed information about all available options. Additionally, a Seine river cruise is included with the Paris Pass, which can be purchased here.

However, if your intention is to use the river as a means of transportation rather than just for sightseeing, I suggest considering the Batobus service. This Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing cruise offers 9 stops throughout the city. It is an excellent way to combine a river cruise with efficient transportation, allowing you to bypass road traffic. The boats operate approximately every 30 minutes.

You can purchase hop-on hop-off tickets for the Batobus here..

HOP ON HOP OFF BUS

Exploring a new city can be quite an adventure, especially when it comes to getting around. One fantastic option that many tourists opt for is the Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus service. These buses are a popular choice as they allow you to effortlessly navigate the city while enjoying the sights.

Picture this: you hop on one of these open top buses and embark on a journey that takes you to all the major attractions in the city. The best part? You receive a ticket that is valid for a minimum of 24 hours, giving you the freedom to hop on and off the bus as many times as you please.

This means you can effortlessly travel between the sites you’re most interested in without the hassle of figuring out the public transport system or purchasing individual tickets. Plus, most hop on hop off buses provide an audio narration, either pre-recorded or delivered by a live guide. This adds an extra layer of excitement to your ride as you learn fascinating facts about the places you pass by.

Imagine a beautiful sunny day, sitting on the top deck of the bus, taking in the breathtaking sights, and absorbing all the knowledge being shared. It’s a delightful way to spend a couple of hours, even if you choose not to disembark at every stop!

Of course, like everything else, the Hop on Hop off bus model has its drawbacks. These buses may not be as fast as public transport or taxis, and the routes they offer might be limited. Additionally, they tend to be pricier compared to regular forms of public transportation.

In Paris, there are several hop on hop off bus services available, with Big Bus Paris being one of the popular choices. If you’re planning to visit the city, you’ll be pleased to know that a hop on hop off bus pass is also included with the Paris Pass, which you can conveniently purchase here.

CAR

Certainly, it is possible to navigate Paris by car. You have the option to either drive your own vehicle or rent one from the airport or central Paris. However, I strongly advise against it. The roads are congested, parking fees are exorbitant, and the overall experience is likely to be more stressful compared to the other alternatives mentioned in our list.

CYCLE

Cycling is one of the most affordable ways to get around Paris, aside from walking. Paris offers several bicycle rental programs, with the largest one being Vélib’ Métropole. This program has been operating since 2007 and sees tens of thousands of bikes being used daily. Some of these bikes are regular bicycles, while others are electric.

Vélib’ offers various pricing options depending on how frequently you plan to use the service. They also provide 1-day and 7-day passes for added convenience.

Although Vélib’ is the largest cycling network in Paris, it is not the only one available. Jump by Uber allows you to rent electric bikes, and there are also several electric scooter rental companies to choose from.

FOOT

When it comes to choosing a hotel, many travelers opt to explore the vibrant heart of a bustling city. In Paris, even if you’re not right on the famous Champs-Élysées, the city’s stylish and compact neighborhoods are packed with their own amenities, making them perfect for pedestrians. Walking is the best way to fully immerse yourself in the stunning Parisian architecture and soak up the enchanting atmosphere of the city.  However, if your accommodation is a bit further from the city center or if your desired attractions require a longer journey, the metro is a convenient and affordable alternative. It offers a quick and efficient way to navigate the city, allowing you to still enjoy the charm of Paris on foot whenever the opportunity arises.