Updated on 31 July 2026

Paris is easier to navigate than its size suggests — but transport confusion is one of the most common sources of stress for first-time visitors. The city has a good Métro, an extensive bus network, and large stretches that are genuinely pleasant to walk. The problem is usually not a lack of options; it’s not knowing which option fits which situation.

This guide gives you a clear picture of each mode of transport, when it makes sense, and when something else would serve you better.

Quick Reference

Situation	Best option
Between nearby tourist sites	Walk
Across the city quickly	Métro
See Paris from street level	Bus (line 69 or 72)
Late at night	Taxi or Uber
From Charles de Gaulle airport	RER B (separate ticket required)
From Orly airport	Orlyval + RER B, or taxi
Day trip to Versailles	RER C (separate ticket required)
Rainy day, tired, or with luggage	Taxi or Uber

Walking — More Useful Than Most People Expect

Paris is one of the most walkable major cities in Europe, and many first-time visitors underestimate how much ground they can cover on foot. The distance from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre is about 3 km — a 35-minute walk along the Seine. From the Louvre to Notre-Dame is roughly 2.5 km. At these distances, walking is often as fast as taking the Métro once you account for station access, waiting, and exits.

Walking also gives you something the Métro doesn’t: the city itself. The riverbanks, the covered passages, the streets between neighborhoods — these are part of the Paris experience, and you miss them underground.

When to walk:

• Between nearby tourist sites, particularly along the river and in the central arrondissements
• When exploring a single neighborhood such as the Marais, Montmartre village, or Saint-Germain

When not to walk:

• Longer cross-city distances — Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower is over 5 km, which is a lot when you’re already tired
• In heavy rain or extreme heat
• When you have a timed entry to reach and time is tight
• Uphill climbs — Montmartre is genuinely steep; the funicular from the base costs one Métro ticket

The Métro — Fastest for Longer Distances

The Paris Métro has 16 lines and covers the entire city. For crossing from one side of Paris to the other, it’s the fastest and most predictable option. Trains run frequently during the day and the network covers all the main tourist areas.

Three lines are particularly useful for tourists:

• Line 1 — east-west through the heart of the city, connecting the Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, and the Marais.
• Line 4 — north-south axis through Saint-Germain and Montparnasse, connecting toward Montmartre.
• Line 6 — partly elevated, with views of the Eiffel Tower from the train.

The Métro runs until around 1:15am on weekdays and 2:15am on Fridays and Saturdays. Night buses (Noctilien) cover the gap.

Tickets and Payment (June 2026 Update)

Since June 2026, paper magnetic tickets are no longer valid. The main options for visitors are a Navigo Easy card (reloadable, available at any Métro station), a contactless bank card or phone where supported, or the Île-de-France Mobilités app. Within the central zones, the same ticket covers the Métro and buses. Airport connections and destinations outside the central zones require separate tickets — check before you travel. The Île-de-France Mobilités website has current information.

A Few Métro Tips

• Avoid rush hour (around 8–9:30am and 5:30–7pm) if you have luggage — carriages are crowded and stairs are narrow
• Keep bags in front of you on busy lines — line 1 in particular is a known pickpocket area
• Check which exit (sortie) you need before reaching the top of the stairs

The Bus — Slower, but You See Paris

Buses use the same tickets as the Métro within the central zones and run throughout the day and evening. They’re slower than the Métro, particularly in traffic, but have one significant advantage: you’re above ground, watching the city go by.

Two routes are particularly well known among tourists:

• Bus 69 — runs from the Eiffel Tower area through the 7th, across the Seine, through the Latin Quarter and the Marais, and east. A useful route that doubles as a street-level tour of central Paris.
• Bus 72 — follows the right bank of the Seine, passing the Hôtel de Ville. Good for river views from ground level.

Prefer the bus when you’re not in a hurry and want to see what’s between your starting point and destination. Stick with the Métro when you need to cover distance quickly or when traffic is heavy.

Taxis and Uber — When Comfort Outweighs Cost

Taxis and rideshare apps (Uber, Bolt) are a reasonable choice in specific situations: late at night when the Métro is closed, when traveling with significant luggage, with young children, or in heavy rain. For everyday tourist movement between sights, they’re more expensive than necessary.

Avoid unlicensed drivers who approach you at airports or stations — use official taxi ranks or a rideshare app instead.

Getting to and from the Airports

Airport transport is one of the most searched topics for Paris visitors, and it’s worth covering separately because it operates under different ticketing rules from the city network.

Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

RER B is the standard option — it connects CDG directly to central Paris stations including Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles, and Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame. The journey takes around 35–40 minutes. Airport journeys require a specific ticket rather than a standard city ticket — the fare and ticketing method may also vary depending on how you pay. Check the current fare and ticketing method on the Île-de-France Mobilités website before you travel.

Official taxis from CDG have fixed fares to central Paris. Uber and other rideshare apps also operate from the airport.

Orly

Orly is now directly connected to central Paris by Métro line 14, which runs to Olympiades and central stations including Châtelet. This is the most straightforward option for most visitors. The Orlyval shuttle (connecting to RER B at Antony), Orlybus to Denfert-Rochereau, and tram T7 remain alternatives depending on your destination and route.

As with CDG, check current options and fares before your trip — airport transport connections and ticketing in Paris change more frequently than the city network.

The RER — Day Trips Beyond the City

For movement within Paris, the Métro is more practical than the RER day-to-day. The RER becomes relevant for two journeys:

• RER C — the standard option for a day trip to Versailles (Versailles Rive Gauche station). Requires a separate Versailles ticket, not a standard city ticket.
• RER A — connects central Paris to Disneyland Paris (Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy). Again, a separate ticket is required.

Vélib’ and Other Bike Options

Vélib’ is Paris’s city-subsidised bike-share system, with docked stations throughout the city and both standard and electric bikes available. It’s the cheapest option for longer rides. Several dockless e-bike operators — including Lime, Dott, and VOI — also run in Paris; you unlock them via app and leave them anywhere parking is permitted, which is more flexible but costs more per ride.

Shared e-scooter rentals were banned in Paris in 2023 following a city referendum and are no longer available.

If you’d prefer to have transport handled on your first day while you get oriented, a guided tour takes care of the routing entirely.

Which Option for Which Situation

Most decisions come down to distance, time, and what you want from the journey. Three rules cover the majority of situations:

Three rules that cover most situations • Walk when it’s under about 3 km and the weather allows. • Métro is best for speed, not scenery. • Bus is best for sightseeing, not speed.

For airport connections, always check the specific ticketing requirements before you travel — standard city tickets don’t cover airport routes. For late nights and bad weather, a taxi or rideshare app is usually the simplest solution.

For a complete overview including trams, boats, and detailed ticketing, see our full Paris transport guide.

Navigate Paris with the Paris For You App

The Paris For You app gives you offline maps, attraction info, audio guides, and 26 language options — all in one place, no internet required. Useful for keeping your route clear without stopping to open a browser in the middle of a busy street.

If you’re still putting together your itinerary, the Paris For You trip planner can help you structure your days before you go.

Take Paris with you.
Download Paris For You and keep your offline maps close at hand, wherever the day takes you. Available in 26 languages.

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