In Paris: Métro & Public Transport
Paris has one of the densest and most efficient public transport networks in the world. A rental car in Paris is pointless (traffic jams, one-way streets, parking fees of €4–6/hour). The Métro takes you everywhere.
The Métro System
16 lines, 308 stations, 5:30–1:15 (Fri/Sat until 2:15). Never more than 500 meters from a station. Average wait time: 2–4 minutes. The Métro is fast, reliable, and easy for tourists to understand.
Tickets & Fares
| Ticket | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket t+ (Single Ride) | €2.15 | 1 ride Métro/Bus/Tram (Zone 1–2) |
| Carnet (10 Tickets t+) | €16.90 | 10 single rides (€1.69/ride) |
| Navigo Easy (reloadable) | €2 + balance | Reloadable card |
| Navigo Jour (Day Pass) | €8.45 | 1 day, all zones |
| Navigo Semaine (Weekly Pass) | €30.75 | Mon–Sun, all zones incl. airports |
| Paris Visite (1–5 days) | €13.95–43.30 | Tourist pass, zones 1–3 or 1–5 |
| Single Ride to CDG Airport (RER B) | €11.45 | Zone 1–5 |
| Single Ride to Versailles (RER C) | €4.05 | Zone 1–4 |
Which Ticket is Worth It?
- 1–2 Days, Few Rides: Load Navigo Easy + single tickets (€2.15 per ride, from 10 rides €1.69).
- 3–4 Days, Many Rides: Navigo Jour (Day Pass €8.45) — worth it from 5 rides per day.
- 5+ Days: Navigo Semaine (€30.75/week) — the best offer. Valid from Monday, also for buses to CDG airport and Versailles!
Other Means of Transport in Paris
- RER: Suburban train network connecting Paris with suburbs. Important: RER B (CDG Airport), RER C (Versailles), RER A (Disneyland, Château de Vincennes).
- Bus: Slower, but you see more of the city. Line 69 (Eiffel Tower → Bastille) and 72 (along the Seine) are popular sightseeing routes at the price of a Métro ride.
- Vélib' (Bike Rental): 1,400 stations, 20,000 bikes. Day pass €5, first 30 min of each ride free, e-bike €1/30 min extra. Perfect for Seine banks, Marais, Montmartre (downhill!).
- Batobus (Water Bus): 9 stops on the Seine (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, etc.). Day ticket €19. Nice, but slow.
- Taxi/Uber: Uber works everywhere in Paris. Prices similar to taxis (base fare €2.60 + €1.12/km). CDG Airport ↔ City: fixed price €55/€62 (taxi).
💡 Tipp
The Navigo Semaine (weekly pass, €30.75) is by far the best ticket for Paris visitors staying 4 days or more: unlimited travel in all zones including CDG airport, Versailles, and Disneyland. But beware: it is valid from Monday to Sunday — most economical if arriving on a Monday.
