Getting around Paris: Transport Guide!
Bonjour !
There's a number of (affordable) ways to get around this gorgeous city. By foot, metro, Velib', bus, boat, and much more. See which option works best for you and your budget below!
This is probably what I recommend the most. The streets of Paris are filled with art, and I would hate to miss any of it! She's a walkable city, but the key is to divide and conquer Paris by district/arrondissement. For example, spend the afternoon strolling Montmartre area and another time, discover the cute shops on île Saint-Louis & Notre-Dame area. You could easily spend an afternoon seeing many of the sites from outside (and for free!) For affordable things to do check out my Ultimate Guide to Paris on the cheap!
If you do get tired or want to head from the far side of Paris to the other, the metro is very well developed so getting around is pretty easy. You can buy individual tickets or carnets (book of 10) and more options. Some might recommend the day pass, but I recommend getting the carnet so you can use them whenever and share with a friend too! The one downside is though it's pretty fast, being underground (except for a couple of stops) you don't really get to see the city until you've arrived at your stop.
Helpful things to know:
- There are 16 metro lines & 300 metro stations!
- The entrance is indicated by a large yellow letter ‘M’
- Metros run every day (including holidays) at 6 AM-12:45 AM (from Sunday to Thursday) or stop at 1:45 AM (on Friday & Saturday) Source
- The frequency of the metro depends on the time and day: at peak hours, metros run about every 2 minutes
- Ticket costs: € 1.90 each (€14.50 for 10 [ask for ‘un carnet’]). You can buy tickets at automatic ticket machines in metro stations and at the ticket windows in bigger stations
Getting around:
- Each line has a distinctive color and # that is displayed on RATP signs and maps.
- **Line directions are indicated by the station at the end of each line, which is shown on signs on the platform and on maps (i.e. Porte de Clignancourt – Mairie de Montrouge). Source
- Free metro maps are available at ticket offices in stations or download the app to make it easier!
- I was going to link the map, but honestly it looks overwhelming!! I recommend the "Metro Paris Subway" App (the icon is the white and blue metro "M") and you can plug in the station and it shows you the quickest route, the shortest, least amount of stops, etc. so you can pick the way that's best for you.
The RER train:
This train goes out to the suburbs of Paris. They do offer connections to other areas within Paris center, but I would recommend avoiding the RER train altogether when possible! They are bigger and to serve the outskirts of Paris, they get super packed during rush hour.
- RER trains run at approximately 6 AM-12:45 AM every day – including holidays. Source
Rent a bike with Velib' ("Bike of Freedom" translated)! This is a pretty inexpensive option as well. There's stations all over the city and usually within 300 meters from each other. You can easily check one out using the multi-lingual screen at the dock stations, or if you have internet access, you can use an app! The one thing I'd say as warning? The streets of Paris can be busy and a bit overwhelming, especially for causal cyclists. So I'd stick to some calmer areas like Bois de Boulogne or even the latin quarter.
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| Docking station in Paris with the new colorful Velib' bikes! © Gilles ROLLE/REA / REA / Gilles ROLLE/REA/ Gilles ROLLE/REA |
Options:
- 1-Day Pass: 5 € + 1 € for the first 30-60 min. then + 1 € for every 30 min after (so for a 2 hour use, it's 8 €)
- 7-Day Pass: 15 € + 1 € for the first 30-60 min. then + 1 € for every 30 min after (this option pays off if you're using it for 4+ days)
- They now offer electric bikes too (just pay a little extra)
- Perk? Open 24-7!
Check out this article on easy steps to renting one for yourself!
I personally don't take the bus too often, but it's a great way to get a tour of Paris without a tourist-filled tour bus (and cheaper)!
Helpful things to know:
- Buses operate from Monday-Saturday from 7 AM-8:30 PM
- Limited lines operate in the evening from 8:30 PM-12:30 AM (bigger, busier stations) Almost half of bus lines operate on Sundays & holidays Source
- The line number & direction are indicated on the front of the bus, above the driver’s compartment, and on the sides of the bus Source
- Remember to punch your ticket or validate your pass
- To request a stop while on the bus, press one of the red buttons
- Cost: If you purchase a ticket ON the bus it costs 2 €. Instead use your travel pass or a metro/bus ticket (only 1.90 € each) to save some dough!
The Noctilien:
AKA the night bus service.
Helpful things to know:
- Buses operate from Monday-Saturday from 12:30 AM-5:30 AM
- 47 lines crisscross Paris and the Paris region Source
For a Noctilien metro map click here.
Are you trying to live in Paris?? Check out my video on how I found housing!
By boat:
This is mainly for sightseeing but you can get a hop-on-hop-off pass and check out different monuments along the Seine:) Just like any tourist attractions, there are so many options and companies to choose from.
You could sight see, dine, drink champagne...whatever your heart (and budget) desires;)
Bateaux mouches is probably the most popular tour boat. They offer tours every 30-40 minutes depending on the season and lasts over an hour.
Reserve your spot here!
They also offer lunch and dinner cruise options too.
Cost: 6 € for children and 14 € for adults.
A popular hop-on-hop-off option is the Batobus! This is the most flexible option. With your pass, you can get on and off where you want, when, and as often as you'd like.
Cost: 8 € for children and 17 € for adults (for 1-day pass)
**They offer 1-day, 2-day and annual passes.
By BlaBlaCar*:
If you're wanting to take a day trip out of the city (or even to go to your next destination) look into BlaBlaCar!
It's similar to Uber; you can read reviews on your driver and then figure out pick-up/drop off locations before the trip. Unlike Uber, you must schedule this in advance, and it's for farther distances.
So if you want to check out Monet's summer house in Giverny or some other location that isn't the easiest to access with a TGV train, this might be a great option.
It just takes some luck to find people going to and from your same direction!
If you're wanting to take a day trip out of the city (or even to go to your next destination) look into BlaBlaCar!
It's similar to Uber; you can read reviews on your driver and then figure out pick-up/drop off locations before the trip. Unlike Uber, you must schedule this in advance, and it's for farther distances.
So if you want to check out Monet's summer house in Giverny or some other location that isn't the easiest to access with a TGV train, this might be a great option.
It just takes some luck to find people going to and from your same direction!
By taxi:
I purposefully put this as my last option. It's much more expensive than the above options, and I really only use it if I'm going from the airport into the city and traveling with lots of luggage (and other people). If you do go with others, you can at least split the fare!
What's your favorite way to get around Paris? Let me know below!
Some big tips!
- Like stores and restaurants, most places are closed on Sundays (*grocery stores are open in the mornings on Sunday).
- Transport still runs on Sundays, BUT it's on a limited schedule. For buses only half run and there are fewer times for public transport!
- Use apps and/or look up transport schedules ahead of time so you're not stuck somewhere and have to spend the big bucks using a taxi to get home.
What's your favorite way to get around Paris? Let me know below!
bisous,
Lyndi
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