PG Paris Guide Choose the Paris base before the reservations and tickets
Getting around

Getting around Paris

Paris is compact and dense, and the Metro plus walking will cover almost everything a first visit needs. A car is a liability inside the city, so the real decision is which transit pass fits your trip rather than whether to rent.

Last checked June 17, 2026

Metro, RER, and buses

The Metro is the backbone of getting around: frequent, far-reaching, and rarely more than a short walk from where you are. The RER suburban trains run faster across longer distances and reach the airports and Versailles, while the bus network is slower but lets you see the city above ground. All of it is run under Ile-de-France Mobilites, which sets the fares and passes.

For most visitors a Navigo pass or a book of tickets loaded onto a card is cheaper than buying singles each time. Decide based on how many rides you expect per day, and confirm the current pass options and prices on the Ile-de-France Mobilites and RATP sites.

Walking and cycling

Paris rewards walking more than almost any other big city, and many of the sights a first trip wants are clustered within walking distance once you choose a central base. Crossing a few neighborhoods on foot is often faster than changing Metro lines, and it is how the city is best seen.

For longer hops the city's bike-share scheme and a growing network of protected lanes make cycling a real option in good weather. If you ride, stick to the lanes and watch for one-way streets and busy junctions.

Taxis and when you do not need a car

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are useful late at night, with heavy luggage, or for an early airport run, and airport taxis use regulated flat fares into the center. Outside those cases they are slower and pricier than the Metro in daytime traffic.

A rental car is genuinely a hindrance for a city stay: parking is scarce and expensive, low-emission rules apply, and nothing you need a car for is in the center. Save the car for a trip that leaves the Paris region entirely.

Sources

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