Paris transportation

Paris transportation options

Paris transportation from Charles de Gaulle Airport

Most international flights use Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport, 30km (19 miles) north-east of Paris. Its two main terminals are some way apart, so check which one you need for your return flight. You can get to Paris by suburban train (RER), bus, shuttle, or taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Paris transportation from Orly airport

Domestic and international flights use Orly airport, 18km (11 miles) south of the city. It has two terminals: Orly-Sud (mainly international) and Orly-Ouest (mainly domestic). You can get to Paris by suburban train (RER), bus, shuttle, or taxi from Orly Airport.

 Paris transportation from Beauvais Airport

Budget airlines such as Ryanair serve Beauvais, 70km (44 miles) from Paris. You can get to Paris by bus, shuttle, or taxi from Beauvais Airport.

Train

If you are traveling to Paris from within continental Europe or from the U.K., traveling to Paris by train can be a great alternative to flying. For one thing, Europe counts more and more bullet trains (called TGV for ‘high-speed train’ in France) that can cut rail travel time down by half. The Eurostar train connects London to Paris via the channel tunnel, making for a truly unforgettable experience.

Paris public transport

Before you travel anywhere by public transport, pick up free maps of the métro (underground), bus and rail systems around Paris (available at airports and stations). Paris and suburbs are divided into six travel zones; zones 1 and 2 cover the city centre. RATP tickets and passes are valid on the métro, bus and RER (train). Tickets and carnets can be bought at métro stations, tourist offices and tabacs (tobacconists); single tickets can also be bought on buses.

Metro

The Paris métro is the fastest and cheapest way of getting around. Individual lines are numbered, with each direction named after the last stop.

Taxi

Taxis can be hard to find, especially at rush hour or early in the morning. Your best bet is to find a taxi rank (station de taxis, marked with a blue sign) on major roads, crossroads and at stations. A white light on a taxi’s roof indicates the car is free; an orange light means the cab is busy.

Boat

For a more flexible, hop-on-and-off approach to pleasure-cruises on the Seine, sail with the Compagnie de Batobus. Its fleet of glassed-in trimarans dock at small piers along the Seine and tickets are sold at each stop or tourist offices.