Navigating the City of Lights in 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Parisian Transportation
Ah, Paris! The city of love, art, history, and, of course, croissants. Whether you’re here to admire the Eiffel Tower, wander through the Louvre, or simply sip coffee at a charming café, getting around Paris is a breeze—IF you know how to use the transportation system. From the metro to bicycles, Paris has an efficient and (mostly) easy-to-use network that’ll get you from point A to point B in style. Here’s what’s new with the transportation in Paris in 2025. Ready to explore like a local? Let’s dive into the magic of Parisian transportation!
1. The Metro: The Beating Heart of Paris
If you want to feel like a true Parisian, hop on the Metro! The Paris Métro is one of the oldest and most iconic subway systems in the world. With 16 lines and over 300 stations, it’s the easiest way to travel within the city. What makes the Parisian metro stand out though: the experience. You could find yourself standing in packed carriage with a hard-working blue-collar worker to your right and a poised and affluent model dressed in the latest Louis Vuitton to your left simultaneously making their morning commute.
Pro Tip
The maps might seem intimidating at first, but fear not! Most big stations have signs in both French and English, and there are apps galore to help you plan your route. Download CityMapper and/or Bonjour RATP and you’re set for your underground adventure.
Make sure to check the right exit for your destination at every station. They’re all numbered and the right one could save you your next connection. Next to a city map on a metro station wall, you’ll generally find a map of all the exits with the street names mentioned. On CityMapper, the journey displays the right exit as well.
Here are the links to the apps:
Cost
A single journey ticket, called a ticket t+, costs about €2.50. You can also buy packs of tickets or get a Paris Visite pass for 1,2,3 or 5 days of unlimited rides if you’re staying longer. Load one onto your phone and off you go.
The best part? It’s quick, affordable, and gets you close to major tourist attractions like the Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, and Montmartre.
2. The RER: Beyond the City Limits
The RER (Réseau Express Régional) is a train system that connects Paris with its suburban areas and even ventures as far as Disneyland Paris (about 45 minutes from the city center—hello, Mickey!). It looks like the metro but it’s not. BEWARE.
Pro Tip
The RER is your ticket to day trips outside the city. Need to see the Palace of Versailles or head to the airport? The RER will take you there in a jiffy!
Cost
Similar to the Metro, the ticket t+ worth €2,50 works best on the RERs now unlike before when the price depended on your journey. A Paris Visite pass works on the RER as well.
CAUTION: Airport ticket prices may differ. Read further to find out.
3. The Bus: See the City as You Go
If you’re in no rush and want to take in Paris’ stunning architecture, the bus is the way to go. You’ll have a front-row seat to the beauty of the city while you cruise through neighborhoods like the Marais, the Latin Quarter, and beyond.
Pro Tip
Buses can get a little crowded during rush hour, but they are a great way to see Paris without worrying about missing a stop. Remember that you have to press the STOP button if you want to get off on the next arrête. You’ll find the words ‘Arrête Demandé’ lit in red towards the front or back of the bus if button has been pressed
Cost
€2 for a single ticket. You can also buy tickets via SMS on your Phone as you board the bus but they cost €2,50 on board.
4. Velib’ Bikes: Paris on Two Wheels
Who says you can’t be both eco-friendly and chic? Enter the Vélib’ bike system—a convenient and fun way to explore Paris at your own pace. With over 1,400 bike stations scattered throughout the city, it’s an easy and enjoyable way to get from one arrondissement to another.
Pro Tip
First-time riders? Use the app to unlock your bike and off you go! They have both Electric and Classic bikes but do make sure to keep track of time.
Cost
There’s different passes but the cheapest one is a Ticket V costing 3€ for 45 minutes. A 24 hour day pass costs 5€ for the classic and 10€ for the electric bike.
5. Uber and Taxis: When You Need a Ride (Or Just Want to Pretend You’re in a Movie)
Let’s face it, sometimes you just want to hop in a car and zoom around the city like a celebrity. Thankfully, Paris has plenty of taxis and Uber cars to choose from. Whether you’re heading to a fancy dinner in Saint-Germain or need to catch a late-night flight, these services will get you there in no time.
Pro Tip
While taxis are readily available, they can be pricey, especially during rush hours and are quite the hotbeds for scams. Uber often offers competitive rates, especially if you’re traveling with friends. For a European experience, try Bolt, an alternative to Uber. Save some money on Share rides.
Cost
Expect fares starting around €10, but this can increase depending on the distance and time of day.
6. Walking: The Best Way to See Paris
Okay, okay—we know this isn’t technically transportation, but hear us out. Paris is a city made for walking. Stroll along the Seine, wander through charming cobblestone streets, and stop to admire the street art and local markets. The best way to experience Paris is to wander at your own pace. Here’s what you need to know about most European cities: You can walk to most famous destinations. About time you strap your Apple Watch and channel your inner Marshal Ericson.
Pro Tip
Bring comfortable shoes for those cobblestone roads (no one wants to suffer from blisters while trying to find that perfect café). For a Scenic walk, take a walk along the river starting from Hôtel de Ville all the way to the Eiffel Tower AT SUNSET. And remember—if you get lost, you’ll probably discover something amazing!
7. Navigo and Paris Visite Pass: Unlock Unlimited Travel
If you’re planning to stay for a while and want unlimited access to public transportation, the Navigo card or the Paris Visite pass is a smart choice. These passes give you unlimited access to the Metro, RER, buses, and even the trams.
Pro Tip
The Navigo card is available on a weekly or monthly basis, and the Paris Visite pass is perfect for tourists who want to explore everything without worrying about ticket costs.
Cost
The Navigo card costs about €31.60 per week (for zones 1–5), while the Paris Visite pass is available from €29.90 for one day but cheaper for more days. For the Navigo weekly pass, remember that the subsciption begins at 12am on Monday and ends at 11:59pm on Sunday and must be purchased on the Friday of the previous week.
Bonus Tips
Airports
This one’s important so grab an espresso. Paris has 3 major Airports namely Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais and each one has a different connection:
- Orly Airport: Most European and North-African Flights pass through Orly situated to the south of the city. You can reach there using the RER B and OrlyVal or use the OrlyBus that leaves from Denfert-Rochereau station (behind the entrance to the Catacombs) and the ticket will cost €13 for a single fare (€6,50 for 4-10 year olds)
- Charles de Gaulle Airport: This is the biggest airport and most long-haul flights in and out of Paris use CDG. You can reach there from Paris using the RER B or the RoissyBus that departs from the Opera Garnier (The bus stop is located in front of the Lindt store near the Galeries Lafayette behind the Opera). The ticket will cost €13 for a single fare (€6,50 for 4-10 year olds)
- Beauvais Airport: Pay attention to this one if you love great deals. If you’ve booked a 20€ flight on Ryanair out of Paris, you’re NOT flying out of Paris, technically. The Beauvais airport is the french counterpart to Luton Airport in England. You can reach there using the Paris-Beauvais Shuttle Bus (Navette) that leaves from Bus Terminals at 5 locations: Porte-Maillot station, La Défense Jules Verne, Saint-Denis Université, La Villette and Disneyland. The ticket will cost about €17 for a single fare. Plan well for this trajet since it’ll take about 75-90mins to reach Beauvais so check the shuttles departures well according your flight. Check the Beauvais Airport website for Shuttle Departure Times Here.
Pickpocketing
One of the not-so-la vie en rosy realities of Paris, Pickpocketing isn’t the most desirable affair to entangle one in Paris. The public transportation often becomes the hotbed for these incidents, whether on the platform or inside the metro. Be extra careful on major stations like Charles de Gaulle Etoile, Châtelet-Les Halles, La Défense, Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord, Marne-la-Vallée Disneyland, among any other junction with numerous lines. Check out our blog about Scams in Paris (Click Here)
Take a Seine Cruise
Okay, this might be a transportation method you’re not thinking of—but a Seine river cruise is a delightful way to see Paris from a different angle. Hop on one of the many boats that sail along the river and enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and more while relaxing on the water.
Pro Tip: Most boats have audio guides in several languages, so you can learn about the landmarks you’re passing. For the fun readers, they also sell champagne on many of these boats. For an exquisite experience, book a dinner cruise with your loved one for a romantic evening.
Final Thoughts
Getting around Paris doesn’t have to be complicated. With its well-connected Metro, handy buses, and charming bike rides, navigating the city is as easy as saying “Bonjour!” So, whether you’re zooming across town on the Metro or strolling down the Seine, just remember to enjoy the journey. After all, in Paris, the trip itself is often just as magical as the destination. Bon voyage!
Now you’ve become quite the expert on how to go about in the city of love, it’s about time you reach your destination for an interesting experience. Click below and discover our tours in Paris.