Getting Around in Paris

Getting around in Paris is easy and budget-friendly on the city’s well-connected network of buses, trains, Metro and trams. With public transport reaching every corner of the city, you really don’t need to own a car in Paris. It’s also worth noting that driving in Paris can often be a hair-raising experience.

Public transport in Paris

Public transport in Paris is run by government-subsidised RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens). The rest of the RER and Transilien are run by the state-owned SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français), whose rail network covers the whole of France. Using the different transport systems interchangeably is straightforward, as tickets are usually valid across all systems.

Tickets

Paris has moved to a simplified ticketing system in 2025. The old zone-based system is being phased out in favour of flat-rate fares that cover the entire network. Various packages are available. Which one you choose will depend on the length of your stay in the city and how regularly you’ll travel.

For those staying in Paris for the long term, the most cost-effective way of using public transport is to get a Navigo travel card that allows unlimited travel on the Metro, RER and buses. You can load it on a weekly (Navigo Semaine) or monthly (Navigo Mensuel) basis and recharge it at Navigo machines found in most Metro and RER stations. To buy a Navigo Découverte card (for visitors), you need a passport photo, and there’s a small fee for the card itself.

For shorter visits, the Navigo Easy card has replaced the old paper ticket booklets. It’s a reusable, rechargeable card that can be loaded with individual tickets or day passes. Tickets are sold at kiosks and automated machines in Metro and RER stations. Children under the age of four travel free, and kids aged 4 to 10 years are charged half price. Paper tickets are still available through the end of 2025 but are being phased out.

Metro

The Paris Metro is one of the most comprehensive in the world, consisting of 16 lines and around 300 stations across the city. Metro stations are marked with a big ‘M’ or ‘Metro’ sign. Exits from stations are indicated by the white-on-blue sortie (exit) signs.

Metro lines are identified on maps by number and colour, with the direction of travel indicated by the name of the destination terminal. Parisians usually refer to the line number. The Metro runs from 5.30am to 1.15am from Sunday to Thursday and until 2.15am on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.

Metro cars aren’t air-conditioned, so they can be uncomfortably hot during the summer months, especially during rush hour when they are packed with commuters. Metro lines 1, 4 and 13 are normally the most congested.

RER

The RER (Réseau Express Régional) is a network of regional trains that run through the heart of Paris into the city's suburbs and throughout the wider Île-de-France region. The RER has five lines in Paris, labelled from A to E. Different branches of these lines are labelled by number.

The RER trains are faster than the Metro, but this is mostly because there are fewer stops along the way. This system runs daily from approximately 5.45am to 12.30am, but service may end earlier at stations outside Paris. The RER links up and shares stations with the Metro in places.

In addition to the RER system, there are many suburban train lines (Transilien) departing from the main train stations.

Buses

Buses in Paris form a well-developed network, interconnecting all suburban areas. Bus routes are numbered, and buses usually run from 6.30am to 9.30pm, though some lines also run till midnight. Although buses cover a wider area than the Metro, they have to contend with traffic and can take considerably longer to reach their intended destination.

Night buses, known as Noctilien, operate from 12.30am to 5.30am, with more frequent service on weekends. Most of the lines leave from Place du Châtelet and serve the main Metro and RER stations as well as major streets.

Trams

Trams in Paris have seen major development in recent years. The city currently has 13 tram lines, some of which travel far into the suburbs.

Useful links

• RATP (Régie Autonome Des Transports Parisiens)
• SNCF (Société Nationale Des Chemins De Fer Français)
• Île-de-France Mobilités

Taxis and ride-sharing services in Paris

Taxis in Paris are comparatively cheap and easy to hail on the street. They are visible by the sign on the car's roof, which is lit up if they are vacant. There are also numerous taxi stations throughout the city, and they can be booked ahead of time over the phone. You should be aware that the meter may start running from the moment the taxi driver leaves for the pick-up point.

Ride-sharing services such as Uber, Bolt, Heetch, and G7 are readily available in Paris. These can be a handy option if you can’t speak French, as they lower the risk of miscommunication with drivers. Bolt often offers competitive rates, making it popular with both locals and visitors for daily commutes and short trips around the city. G7, the official Paris taxi app, boasts the largest fleet of electric and hybrid cars in Europe.

Useful links

• G7 Taxis
• Uber Paris
• Bolt Paris

Cycling in Paris

Cycling in Paris has become increasingly popular, with cyclists generally respected on the road. The city’s Vélib Métropole bicycle hire scheme has made over 18,000 bicycles available at more than 1,400 stations across the city. You can pick up a bicycle at one point in the city and return it to another. About 30 percent of the Vélib fleet consists of electric bikes, which have proven extremely popular for longer journeys or hilly areas.

Bicycles can be hired for a day or a week, allowing for unlimited journeys during that time. Paris continues to expand its cycling infrastructure, with more dedicated bike lanes appearing throughout the city.

Useful links

• Vélib Métropole
• Cycling In Paris – Paris Je T’aime

Walking in Paris

Walking in Paris is one of the most delightful ways to experience the city. Many of the central districts are compact and pedestrian-friendly, with iconic landmarks often within walking distance of each other. The Seine riverbanks offer beautiful promenades, with spacious pedestrian areas in the city centre that have been developed in recent years.

For a unique walking experience, the Coulée Verte René-Dumont (also known as the Promenade Plantée) offers an elevated walkway built on a former railway line – Paris’ version of New York’s High Line. This 2.9-mile (4.7km) pedestrian garden path is a peaceful retreat from the busy streets below. Paris has been expanding its pedestrian zones, making the city increasingly walkable and enjoyable to explore on foot.

Useful links

• Walks In Paris – Paris Tourist Office
• Walk On The Coulée Verte And Promenade Plantée

Driving in Paris

Driving in Paris can be a challenging experience. Traffic is often congested, and parking can be frustrating and expensive, especially in popular tourist areas. Most Parisians don’t own cars, opting to use the city’s public transport network instead. If you’re driving in Paris and want to park on the streets, you’ll need to pay using the PayByPhone app or parking meters, as coins are no longer accepted.

Be aware that Paris has implemented a Low Emission Zone (ZFE) that restricts vehicle access based on emissions. The zone covers the area within the Boulevard Périphérique and uses the Crit’Air sticker system to determine which vehicles can enter. Since 2023, vehicles with Crit’Air 3 stickers or higher are prohibited from entering the zone on weekdays from 8am to 8pm. Further restrictions are planned for 2025, when Crit’Air 2 vehicles will also be banned. If you’re planning to drive in Paris, check whether your vehicle meets the required standards and apply for the appropriate Crit’Air sticker in advance.