Getting Around Paris
The best way to get around Paris is by foot. The elegant arrondissements are practically made for pedestrians. Still, Paris is very big, so you should take the efficient métro to travel long distances. The Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens or RATP system, of which the métro is a part, also offers buses; several of these connect to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), though you can also take a suburban train or the RoissyBus. Taxis are another option, but driving is not recommended.
If you're traveling from other French or European cities, you might find that the train is the cheapest way of getting to Paris. The city has six main train stations, all of which also act as a bus stop and métro station, so you'll be able to get from the station to your hotel quite easily. Another option is to fly into Paris-Orly Airport, located less than 10 miles from the city. You can take the chunnel (underwater rail service) from London.
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On Foot |
Because most travelers tend to book hotels in the attraction-heavy city center, walking is the best mode of transportation. However, if your home base is a little farther out, you might want to rely on the métro for fairly cheap but very quick travel. |
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Métro |
The métro, part of the city's RATP public transportation system, is easily accessible, cost-effective and runs extensive routes throughout metropolitan Paris. You can purchase single tickets, but a Paris Visite travel card might be the best option. Available in one-, two-, three- or five-day increments, the card allows you transportation via métro and the Réseau Express Régional (RER) overland suburban trains, as well as on a number of other means of transportation. Note that métro tickets cannot be used on the RER. You can buy tickets in métro stations, with the cheapest one-way ticket costing less than €2 EUR. |
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Bus |
A bus ride costs the same as a métro ride (a little less than €2 EUR, purchased in métro stations). While the bus system is slower than the métro, it offers more scenic routes and maintains a longer schedule. The night bus system is particularly helpful once the métro closes. |
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Taxi |
Metered taxis are available but can be scarce in peak times. The Parisian fleet is limited by a lobby at 15,000. If you are lucky enough to find one that reads "libre" (or free) on top, take note of a few details: The meter starts at €2 EUR and charges by kilometer traveled. You should also know that from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m., you'll pay about €.30 EUR more per kilometer than from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
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Car |
Driving in Paris is to be avoided, except if you're exploring outside of the city's bounds. The usual culprits apply—heavy traffic, potentially confusing road signs, scarce parking—making driving a real nightmare. That said, rental cars or "car hires," as they're called, are available at the airports and several of the main train stations, including Gare de Nord. |
Entry & Exit Requirements
A United States passport is required for U.S. residents traveling to Paris; children of all ages must have them, too. U.S. citizens do not need a visa unless they plan on staying longer than 90 days. Visit the U.S. State Department's website for the latest information on exit and entry requirements.
