Paris - Getting Around
Airport Transfers
Paris is served by Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport which is located around 25 km north east of the city centre. As a major aviation hub for France, and one of Europe’s busiest airports, flights operate to most major International destinations. There are a number of transport links between the airport and downtown Paris, including taxis, trains and buses. Taxis can be hailed from outside the Arrivals Terminal, but be sure to use only official vehicles. The journey takes around 45 minutes depending on traffic and costs €45. The airport offers an extensive bus service from the front of central arrivals, which run between the airport, railway station, city centre and surrounding areas. The fare is usually around €10 and the journey to downtown takes around 50 minutes. Tickets can be purchased from kiosks or when boarding the bus. The airport also operates a frequent train service that runs every 15 minutes with tickets costing around €10.
top ↑Bus
Paris has an extensive fleet of buses that traverse the city and surrounding suburbs. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at stops or from the driver and must be validated prior to boarding. Multi tickets or “carnet” offer great savings and are available from tobacconists, bookshops and newsagents. Short trips usually cost around €1.50, but for longer trips two tickets are usually required. International buses are operated by Eurolines and arrive and depart from the main bus terminal located in the inner suburb of Bagnolet. From here visitors can travel to a multitude of destinations including Morocco, Scandinavia and Central Europe. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal building or via contacting the bus company directly.
top ↑Car rental
A number of well known car hire companies have booths inside of the airport terminal and downtown city centre. Booking in advance is recommended to secure the best deal and ensure availability; usually you can obtain a small car for around €100 per day. Parking in the city is tricky and expensive, so proceeding on foot or via public transport is often a better option.
top ↑Metro
Paris’s metro system with its comprehensive network and reliable service is a great way of getting around the city. 14 lines connect stations throughout the city centre, with trains running every few minutes. The system operates from 5.30am through to 12.30 am but try to avoid travelling in rush hour, when it can get very busy. Tickets can be bought from manned booths on the station concourse, or from automatic kiosks. Be sure to validate your ticket before boarding.
top ↑Taxi
There are many official taxis that operate throughout Paris which can be hailed on the street, from a taxi stand or pre-booked by telephone. All licensed vehicles are fitted with meters, but be aware that fares are higher early in the morning and late at night. Expect to pay additional charges for heavy luggage.
top ↑Train
Paris has six main train stations, which operate the super fast TGV (train à grande vitesse) trains and transport passengers to major French cities within a few hours. Each station is linked by the Metro network and handles traffic to different parts of the country and Europe. Tickets can be purchased via rail operators or at the station.
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