How to Get Around Paris Without a Car in 2025
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Planning your trip to France and wondering if you can get around Paris without a car? This post has all of the info you’ll need!
I first fell in love with Paris when I visited in 2015 and have fond memories of walking through the streets and admiring the architecture. I explored the city with a friend who had moved there after college, and he taught me to use the Velib system, and we relied on the Metro when we were simply too tired to cycle around.
Like most European cities, there’s no need to rent a car when visiting Paris. In fact, you’ll find it punishingly difficult to try to drive because traffic is notoriously congested and parking is hard to come by. The situation is sure to be even worse through October 2024 because of the Olympics.
Instead, there are a number of ways to get around the city without a car. From walking to public transit to taxis, this post will cover all of the ways that you can travel around Paris while you’re visiting.
Table of Contents
How to Get Around Paris Without a Car
How to Get to Paris from the Airport
Is the Paris Metro Safe?
FAQs
Conclusion
How to Get Around Paris Without a Car
Like New York City, most people visit Paris without a car. Instead, they rely instead on other forms of local transit, including walking, taking public transit, and taxis or Ubers. In this post, I’ll cover some of the most popular ways to get around in the City of Light.
Walk
One of my absolute favorite things to do in Paris is simply walk around, and I highly suggest you include some walking in your itinerary. From the sidewalk you can admire the city’s distinctive architecture, see the most iconic landmarks, and get an on-the-ground feel for Parisian culture and life. It’s also one of the most relaxing things to do in Paris.
Most areas in Paris are great for walking around, but I especially love to stroll in the Latin Quarter and near Invalides in the 7th arrondissement. If I have a little extra time in my day, I’ll often get off the metro a stop or two early just to enjoy the walk. Really, you won’t regret it.
Parisians don’t wear heels or other impractical shoes, for the most part, because they spend so much time walking. I typically wear boots or sturdy walking shoes when on the streets in Paris.
Take the Metro
Paris has a great metro system that will take you all around the city, with most trips talking about 10 to 30 minutes. Ticket prices are reasonable, €2.15 as of this writing, and the trains run until about 12:30am on weeknights and 1:30am on weekends. There are schedules online, but I recommend downloading the Google Maps app and using it to plan your journey because it’s very reliable and easy to use.
Paris Metro Tip #1: Take care when in the metro, as it’s a common target for pickpockets and thieves. I recommend remaining alert and vigilant at all times when in the metro in Paris to stay safe.
Paris Metro Tip #2: Be very careful not to expose your metro tickets to magnets, including the magnets in newer iPhones. They will deactivate the tickets. If this happens, you’ll need to go to a service desk inside a metro station and ask them to replace the ticket.
Paris Metro Tip #3: Take a screenshot of your metro journey on Google Maps so that you can access it offline. Many of the metro lines go far enough underground that you won’t have service if you need to check for information about transfers/stops.
Hop on the Bus
Anywhere you might need to that’s off the metro line is probably serviced by a bus. Luckily, you can use the same tickets to ride the bus or the metro, you’ll just need to validate it when you board the bus. Again, I’d use Google Maps to plan your bus journey because it’s the most reliable and easy to use app that I’ve found.
Ride a Bicycle
I’ve been riding bikes around Paris since I first visited the city in 2015, and cycling is one of my favorite ways to get around when the weather is nice. For €5 each day, you can borrow an unlimited number of Velib bikes – just be sure that each ride is shorter than 30 minutes. There’s also a 3 day pass that includes the use of electric bikes, and each trip can be 45 to 60 minutes.
I typically buy a helmet at Decathlon to use in Paris, but of course this is a personal preference. Decathlon has cycling helmets for as little as €20, which is less than a doctor’s appointment if you were to fall.
If you were wondering, e-scooter rentals are banned in Paris as of late 2023.
Call an Uber or Taxi
Taxis and Ubers are both available in Paris, and I like to use them to get to the airport or travel home at late hours. You can use Uber or the European taxi service FreeNow when in Paris. Alternatively, your hotel in Paris might be able to call a local taxi for you if you don’t speak French.
I’ve had positive experiences using Uber in Paris, but it’s always a good idea to be cautious before entering a stranger’s car. Double check the license plates before you get in the car, and follow along with the route on your phone during the ride. Don’t get in the car if the driver is acting strange or seems impaired.
Hire a Private Driver
You absolutely do not need to hire a private driver to visit Paris. There’s ample access to taxis, Ubers, trains, and buses to get around the city or the nearby attractions. You can save the expense of having a private driver and spend it instead on a great meal or entrance to a few extra museums.
Take a Seine River Cruise
Ok, this one won’t really help you get around from day to day, but if you want to see Paris from the water consider hopping on a Seine River Cruise once during your trip. The standard river cruise costs approximately $20 per person and lasts about an hour. If you can swing it, I’d go at sunset for the best views!
There are also river cruises with meals included, so you can have lunch or dinner. You could even have a four course dinner with live music on the Seine, if you wanted. Be aware that the lunch and dinner cruises often have dress codes that forbid shorts, sportswear, and sometimes sandals.
Is the Paris Metro Safe?
Many visitors in Paris have heard horror stories about the metro system. Although you don’t need to be scared to ride the metro, it is a good idea to be extra cautious because it’s notorious for pickpockets.
The best thing you can do to avoid being pickpocketed on the Metro is to hide your valuables in a difficult to reach pocket. I like to keep my phone and money in the zipped inner pocket of my jacket, then fully close my jacket when riding the train.
To protect small items like cash and debit cards, you can wear a money belt for extra security. Or, just keep your bag zipped closed and directly in front of you (ideally with a hand over the closure at all times). Of course, the best option of all is to avoid carrying valuables on the metro – it’s the only way to be 100% safe.
How to Get to Paris from the Airport
I won’t sugarcoat it, one of the most stressful parts of traveling to Paris by plane is figuring out how to get to the city from the airport. Paris has three major airports, Orly and Charles de Gaulle in the city and the nearby town of Beauvais.
Although you can order an Uber from the airport to the city, I wouldn’t recommend it. The rideshare areas at Orly and Charles de Gaulle change often and can be very hard to find, making for a stressful ordeal where you need to run around while trying to communicate with your Uber driver. It’s just not worth the hassle.
The other direction, meaning the city to the airport, is perfectly easy in an Uber. So I’ll usually grab a taxi from the airport, then an Uber to the airport when it’s time to leave.
From Orly Airport (ORY)
Orly Airport is set just south of Paris and is easily accessible by taxi, public transit, or private car. Here are all of your options for travel from Orly to central Paris.
Taxi from ORY
Taxi prices are fixed for trips to central Paris. As of this writing, the cost is €44 anywhere on the right bank or areas north of the River Seine, and €36 for any location in the left bank or south side of the Seine River. Never accept a ride from someone soliciting you in the terminal, instead join the taxi queue outside and confirm the price before you leave the airport.
Orly Bus
Another great option is the OrlyBus, which will drop you off directly in Paris near Montparnasse. As of this writing, the prices are €11.20 per person. When you arrive, follow signs for the OrlyBus and buy your tickets before you board the shuttle bus. If using a Navigo Pass, you’ll need zones 1-4.
You’ll then need to use public transit to get the rest of the way to your hotel or Airbnb. I recommend using Google Maps to plan the entire journey before leaving the airport so you know what to expect.
ORY Private Transfer
If you’d prefer to hire a private driver to take you to your hotel in Paris, you can pre-book a transfer with Parigi Travel Tour. The drivers will have your flight information so that they can greet you at the gate and escort you to the car. This option is great for anyone on a tight schedule or who might be intimidated by the process of navigating taxis and/or public transit.
You can book a private transfer here. Note that there are baggage limits on this service.
From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
The Charles de Gaulle Airport is set northeast of Paris, a bit further from the center of the city than Orly. Still, you can easily get from CDG to central Paris; here are all of the best ways to do it.
Taxi from CDG
Similar to travel from Orly to Paris, taxi fares are fixed between Charles de Gaulle Airport and central Paris. As of this writing, the fare is €56 from Charles de Gaulle to anywhere on the right bank of Paris (anywhere north of the River Seine within Paris city boundaries) and €65 to any destination on the left bank (anywhere south of the River Seine within Paris city boundaries).
As stated earlier, you’ll want to avoid any driver who solicits you. Legitimate taxi drivers will seem indifferent to you and pick up only from the official queue outside of the terminal. Confirm the fare before you leave the airport to be sure there are no misunderstandings.
RoissyBus
Like Orly, Charles de Gaulle is also serviced by public transit. You can take the RoissyBus from the terminal to Paris-Opéra, and the journey takes about 60 minutes. Tickets are approximately €17 as of this writing, and you can use a Navigo Pass for zones 1-5.
Buses run from 5:15am to 12:30am, with frequent buses during the day. Purchase your tickets in the terminal before boarding the bus, if possible.
CDG Private Transfer
Like the Orly, it’s possible to pre-arrange a transfer if you’d like the peace of mind. S.A.R.L. Comfort Cars offers a private pickup from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your hotel or Airbnb in Paris. With this service, a driver will meet you in the arrivals area and escort you to the car.
You can book a private transfer here. Note that baggage limits might apply.
From Paris Beauvais Airport (BVA)
Budget airlines, most notably Ryanair, often fly into Beauvais. Unlike Orly and Charles de Gaualle, Beauvais is not actually located in Paris, but is instead about 90 minutes north of the city.
A01 Line Shuttle From BVA
Luckily, you can easily travel from Beauvais to Paris by taking the A01 Line from Beauvais to Paris Porte Maillot. This shuttle service runs frequently throughout the day and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way. Tickets cost about €17 per person and are available online, or you can buy them in person for a small surcharge. From Paris Porte Maillot, you can take local public transit to your hotel.
SNCF Train From BVA
Alternatively, you can also take the SNCF train from Beauvais to the Gare du Nord train station in Paris. The tickets cost about €15 per person and the journey takes approximately 75 minutes, after which point you’ll take public transit the rest of the way to your destination.
Private Transfer From BVA
It’s a bit funny to take a private transfer to Beauvais Airport, an airport serviced largely by budget airlines. But sometimes I do things like this because it just makes sense for my itinerary or group. You won’t get any judgment from me; do what works for you!
Comfort Cars offers a private transfer service directly from the airport to your hotel or apartment. You can book your private transfer here.
FAQs: How to Get Around Paris Without a Car
Still have questions about local transit in Paris, especially if you don’t have a rental car? Here are the answers to some of the most common queries from other travelers.
How do tourists get around in Paris?
Most tourists get around Paris either by walking or taking public transit. Both options are generally considered to be safe and efficient. For times when the metro is closed or impractical, tourists can also opt to take taxis or Ubers to get around Paris.
What is the cheapest way to travel around Paris?
The cheapest way to travel around Paris is to walk, because it’s completely free! For distances that are too far to walk, you can take a Velib bike to get around for €5 per day (just remember to keep your rides shorter than 30 minutes each). The metro is also reasonably priced – tickets are currently €2.15, and you can purchase them inside most stations.
What is the best option for transport in Paris?
The best way to get around Paris is by walking, taking public transit, or taxis/Ubers. You’ll want to use a mix of these methods, as there’s no single “best option” when it comes to local transit in Paris. For short distances, walking is best. When deciding between taxis and taking the metro, I recommend checking the travel times and routes on Google Maps to determine which is the best option.
What is the best way to get around Paris when you first arrive?
The easiest way to get to Paris when you first arrive at the airport is to take a taxi to the city, unless you fly into Beauvais, in which case you should take the shuttle bus. Once you’re in the city, you can either walk or take public transit to get around. When traveling late at night, after about 12:30am, you may need to take a taxi or Uber to get back to your hotel.
Conclusion: How to Get Around Paris Without a Car
Most travelers who visit the incredible city of Paris choose not to rent a car when visiting the city because other options are so much easier to use and more convenient. Without a car, you’ll be free to explore the city without worrying about where you’ll park or how nasty the traffic is at any given time. That gives you more time to see the Eiffel Tower, explore the Louvre, or marvel at the statues in the Rodin Museum.
You can easily get anywhere you need to go without a car in Paris, whether you’re visiting for a weekend or multiple weeks. All you’ll really need is a phone with Google Maps, a method of payment, and a little patience if things don’t go exactly as planned.
If you decide to travel outside of Paris, like to Normandy, Lyon, or even Clermont-Ferrand, you can take regional trains or consider renting a car. Depending on the size of your group and your itinerary, it might be easier to explore these regions of France with a rental car.