Getting Around Paris: A Practical Guide
Paris offers visitors a well-developed and interconnected transport network that makes navigating the city straightforward. Whether you're arriving at one of the major airports or moving around the city itself, you'll find multiple options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Arriving at Paris Airports
Charles de Gaulle Airport (Roissy)
Charles de Gaulle Airport is Paris's primary airport, located north of the city and used mainly for long-haul international flights. The airport has three terminals connected by a people mover system.
For daytime arrivals, RER line B is the fastest and most economical option for reaching central Paris. It serves key stations including Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port-Royal, Denfert-Rochereau, and Cité Universitaire. Trains run every 10 minutes, a single ticket costs €13, and your ticket allows transfers to the Métro and other RER lines for onward travel.
If you arrive at night, take a Noctilien night bus (N140 or N143), which departs every 30 minutes after 00:30.
Orly Airport
Paris's secondary airport lies south of the city. You have several options for reaching central Paris:
- Métro line 14 is the fastest and most economical choice, running every 5 minutes with a single ticket costing €13.
- The Orlyval people mover connects to RER line B at Antony station, with people movers departing every 6 minutes and a journey time of 6 minutes; a single ticket costs €13.
- Tram line T7 runs to La Fraternelle with connections to RER line C; trams depart every 10 minutes with a single ticket costing €2 and a journey time of 8 minutes.
For night arrivals, use Noctilien buses N22, N31, N131, or N144, which depart every 60 minutes after 00:30.
Beauvais–Tillé Airport
This airport, used by low-cost carriers, is located northwest of central Paris. A shuttle bus service connects the airport to Porte Maillot Métro station. Buses operate from 06:00 and depart 20 minutes after each flight arrival; the journey takes about an hour in normal traffic and costs €16.90 online or €18 when purchased at the airport.
The Métro Network
The Métro is Paris's most-used public transport system and operates as a mostly underground network. With closely spaced stations averaging around 500 metres apart, the Métro connects every quarter of the city. The network consists of 16 lines, with most lines crossing the city diametrically. Lines 2 and 6 form a circular route within Paris, while 12 of the lines extend into the surrounding suburbs.
The Métro provides convenient access to virtually any destination within the city, making it the go-to option for most visitors.
Regional Rail: RER and Transilien
The RER (Réseau Express Régional) is a regional train network that complements the Métro. It features five lines (A, B, C, D, and E) that run far into the suburbs with fewer stops within the city itself. Three lines—A, B, and D—pass through Châtelet-Les Halles, Paris's busiest and most central station. Line C follows the path of former railways along the Seine's left bank, while line E connects from Gare Saint-Lazare to destinations in Paris's northeast.
The Transilien is a separate suburban rail network radiating from Paris's main train stations, serving suburban destinations not reached by the RER.
Trams and Buses
Tramways disappeared from Paris by 1937 but returned beginning in 1992. The tramway network now includes 14 lines across the Île-de-France region, mostly outside the city borders. The T1 and T2 lines run parallel to the outer boundaries of the capital, while the T3 line runs alongside much of Paris's city border on grassy track.
The bus network comprises 347 lines, with 58 lines operating termini within city limits. Buses interconnect all points of the capital and its closest suburban cities. In recent years, dedicated bus lanes isolated by concrete barriers have been created on major arteries, reserved exclusively for buses and taxis. The capital also operates three Bus Rapid Transit lines (T Zen, Line 393, and Trans Val De Marne), and electric buses are in service. The bus system has been significantly enhanced over the past decade.
Tickets and Travel Passes
A Navigo card can be used to pay public transport fares across the Métro, RER, trams, and buses throughout the Île-de-France region. A full-fare single ticket costs €13 for most services (though tram line T7 from Orly is only €2). Single tickets allow transfers between different transport modes, so you can complete your journey across the network.
Walking and Cycling
Walking is a major transport mode in Paris. In 2022–2023, over half of all trips in the city centre were made on foot, reflecting Paris's walkable street layout of wide boulevards set in their current routes during the 19th century.
Cycling is an increasingly popular option. The Vélib bike hire scheme provides access to thousands of bicycles at hire points throughout the city. Dedicated cycling infrastructure is expanding, with bike lanes being built and improved. Bicycle usage has grown significantly in recent years, making cycling a viable transport option for many visitors.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis operate throughout Paris and are an alternative to public transport, particularly for direct point-to-point journeys. Dedicated taxi lanes exist on major arteries alongside bus corridors.
Arriving by Train
Paris has seven major railway stations serving different regions of France and Europe. Each station connects to the Métro and RER networks, allowing easy onward travel. The main stations are Gare du Nord (northern France and Eurostar to London), Gare d'Austerlitz (central and southwest France), Gare de l'Est (eastern France and beyond), Gare de Lyon (southern and eastern France), Gare Saint-Lazare (Normandy), and Gare Montparnasse (western and southwestern France).
Transport System Governance
The RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) operates the Métro, most of the bus network, the tramway system, and parts of the RER. The SNCF (France's state-owned railway company) operates other sections of the RER and the Transilien suburban rail network.
Planning Your Journey
Paris's dense mesh of interconnected bus, tram, and Métro services means you can reach virtually any destination. The closely spaced Métro stations make this network particularly convenient for city-centre travel, while the RER and Transilien serve destinations further out. The combination of public transport, walking, and cycling creates a highly accessible and sustainable city for visitors to explore.