Updated on 30 November 2025
Paris is compact enough to cross quickly yet varied enough that your choice of transport shapes the day: metro for speed, buses for street-level sightseeing, RER for longer jumps, bikes for short hops, and walking for the magic in between. This 2025 update (November 2025) folds in the latest changes: paper tickets are no longer sold, Metro Line 14 now reaches Orly Airport, and shared e-scooters are gone.
- Tickets & passes (what changed in 2025)
- Metro: fastest across town
- RER & Transilien: for longer hops
- Buses: street-level Paris (and cheap city tours)
- Trams – Easy for Outer Neighborhoods
- Airports: quick overview
- Taxis, ride-hailing & driving
- Walking (and why distances trick you)
- Bikes & scooters
- Boats – A Unique Perspective
- Safety & common scams (quick list)
- Smart planning tips
- Handy sample rides (low cost, high value)
- Conclusion: Getting Around Paris Made Easy
Routes, fares and service patterns can change due to works or events. Check live info on the day you travel.
Tickets & passes (what changed in 2025)
Paper tickets: As of 5 November 2025, paper tickets are no longer sold on the metro/RER network (they were phased out earlier on buses/trams). Plan to use Navigo Easy or phone tickets. Legacy paper tickets you already own may remain usable for a limited period in 2026; check official guidance before relying on them.
Single rides & day passes: Load them onto Navigo Easy (anonymous plastic card) or buy phone tickets in the official Île-de-France Mobilités / Bonjour RATP apps. Validate at metro gates or on boarding a bus and keep your proof of payment until the end of the trip.
Weekly pass: The Navigo Semaine (Weekly) pass runs Monday–Sunday. Load it onto a Navigo Découverte card (with ID/photo) or compatible phone. It is not issued on Navigo Easy. Buy from the Friday before the covered week.
New occasional products: Expect simplified “Metro-Train-RER” and “Bus-Tram” single-ride products in 2025 UIs. Names and prices can vary by interface; use the official apps for current details.
New (buses only): pay with your bank card on board. Many buses now have a contactless terminal: tap to buy one single bus ride. Caveats: no transfers included, pricing may differ from in-app/Navigo, and availability can vary by line/vehicle. Bank cards do not open metro/RER gates.
Planning your first rides? These two routes deliver big value for a single ride each: Metro Line 6 (Eiffel views) and Bus 69 (street-level greatest hits).
Metro: fastest across town
The Paris Metro is the fastest and most convenient way to get around the city. With over 16 lines and more than 300 stations, it connects all major attractions, neighborhoods, and transport hubs.
When to use it: For speed and reliability, especially at peak times. Trains every few minutes.
Line 6 for views: Large elevated sections with multiple Eiffel angles — see our guide: Metro Line 6.
Line 14 to Orly (new): Since 2024, Line 14 runs directly to Orly Airport (Orly 1-2-3 / Orly 4), removing the old Orlyval change for many itineraries.
Accessibility: Some stations are stair-only; check station-by-station if lifts matter.
Etiquette: Let passengers exit first; keep bags zipped and in front.
RER & Transilien: for longer hops
The RER (Réseau Express Régional) is a regional train network that connects Paris with its suburbs and major destinations like Versailles and Charles de Gaulle Airport.
When to use: To reach suburban sights (Versailles, Disneyland), major parks, or to cross Paris quickly with fewer stops.
CDG Airport: RER B remains the backbone between Charles-de-Gaulle Airport and central Paris.
Versailles: RER C to Versailles-Château–Rive Gauche. See our Versailles guide for planning tips.
Disneyland: RER A to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy. See Disneyland Paris guide.
Read more about airport connections in our guide: Arriving in Paris
Buses: street-level Paris (and cheap city tours)
Buses are a great way to explore Paris above ground and enjoy the scenery. The city has over 60 bus lines, with routes covering all corners of Paris.
Why ride: Façades, café life, bridges, and flexible hop-offs. Great for orientation days.
Our favorite: Bus 69 from the Eiffel side to Gambetta via Invalides, the river, the historic core, and Bastille.
Heads-up: Traffic can slow you down, so build buffer time.
Tickets: Validate on boarding (phone/Navigo Easy), or use the bus bank-card terminal for a one-off ride (no transfers).
Trams – Easy for Outer Neighborhoods
Paris has several tram lines that connect suburban areas to the Metro network. While not ideal for the city center, trams are useful for reaching outer neighborhoods.
Tickets: The same ticket used for the Metro can be used on trams.
Validation: Validate your ticket upon boarding.
Airports: quick overview
Beauvais (BVA): Not in Paris — dedicated shuttle to Porte Maillot, then metro/RER.
Orly (ORY): Metro Line 14 now reaches Orly (fast and simple). Alternatives still exist (OrlyBus, tram + metro), but Line 14 is the cleanest option for many travelers.
Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG): RER B to central Paris. Taxis to/from city have fixed fares (Right Bank vs Left Bank).
Taxis, ride-hailing & driving
Taxis and services like Uber, Bolt, and Free Now are widely available in Paris. Taxis can be hailed on the street, or booked via apps.
Taxis: Metered with fixed airport fares; hail at official ranks or book via apps (e.g., G7).
Uber & similar: Widely used; surge pricing can apply at peaks.
Driving/parking: Not recommended in the center; narrow streets, bus/taxi lanes, and costly parking make it slow and stressful. Consider car-share only for out-of-town day trips.
Walking (and why distances trick you)
Paris is a walking-friendly city. Many neighborhoods are best explored on foot, such as Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the Latin Quarter.
Paris looks compact on the map, but not everything is walkable in one go. The Seine and big garden blocks can lengthen routes; 30–40 minutes on foot is common between “nearby” sights. Sync walking with one-stop metro/bus hops to save energy for highlights.
For context on neighborhoods and what to expect, see our Paris Arrondissements Guide.
Bikes & scooters
Paris offers a bike-sharing service called Vélib’, with stations throughout the city. Cycling is a great way to explore parks and along the Seine River.
Vélib’ Métropole (bikeshare): Dense station network, classic and e-bikes. Helmets are optional but recommended.
Private bike rentals: Good for full-day loops (canal paths, Bois de Vincennes/Boulogne).
E-scooters: Shared e-scooter rentals were banned in Paris in 2023. You may find guided tours with scooters or privately owned devices, but dockless self-hire isn’t available.
Boats – A Unique Perspective
Seeing Paris from the Seine River is a memorable experience. Try the Batobus for hop-on-hop-off boat tours connecting major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum.
Safety & common scams (quick list)
- Keep phones and wallets in front, zipped; watch for distraction scams near major sights and on crowded transport.
- Ignore “petitions,” friendship-bracelet approaches, shell games and unlicensed ticket sellers.
- At night, prefer well-lit stations and busier lines; check our area overview in the Arrondissements guide for places to be more alert.
Smart planning tips
- Ride off-peak for seats and views (avoid roughly 08:00–09:30 and 17:00–19:00).
- Screenshots help: Save route maps or QR codes offline in case mobile data drops.
- Group your sights: Plan by banks (Left vs Right) or by corridors (Line 6 axis, Bus 69 corridor) to avoid zigzags.
- Reserve the big ones: Timed entries for the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and popular exhibitions reduce queue time.
- Know the word “hôtel”: In French, hôtel often means a townhouse or public building (e.g., Hôtel de Ville) — not necessarily a hotel.
Handy sample rides (low cost, high value)
Bus 69 — cross-town sights at street level with easy hop-offs near Invalides, the river, Hôtel de Ville/Marais, Bastille, and Père-Lachaise.
Metro Line 6 — elevated Eiffel views between Trocadéro, Passy, Bir-Hakeim and La Motte-Picquet–Grenelle; where to sit, when to ride.
Conclusion: Getting Around Paris Made Easy
Paris has plenty of transportation options, from the fast Metro and RER to scenic buses and eco-friendly bikes. Plan ahead, choose the best options for your needs, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination!
Need help exploring Paris? Download the Paris For You App for offline maps, tips, and must-see attractions!
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