Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
From Paris CDG, the RER B train reaches the centre in about 30–45 minutes; the Roissybus, taxis (flat fares to central Paris) and Uber are alternatives. From Orly, use Orlyval + RER B, the tram, the metro line 14 extension or OrlyBus.
- CDG
- RER B ~30–45 min to centre
- Taxi
- Flat fare to central Paris
- Orly
- Orlyval/RER B, tram, metro 14
- Buy RER/metro tickets before boarding; keep them until you exit
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
Paris has an extensive metro, RER, bus and tram network run by RATP. It is efficient and cheap. Other big cities (Lyon, Marseille, Lille) also have metros or trams.
- Paris
- Metro, RER, bus, tram (RATP)
- Other cities
- Metros/trams in Lyon, Marseille, etc.
- Value
- Efficient and affordable
- The Paris metro runs roughly 5:30am to past midnight (later on weekends)
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
In Paris, load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card or the smartphone Navigo/Île-de-France Mobilités app; paper tickets are being phased out. Other cities use their own local cards.
- Paris card
- Navigo Easy / smartphone Navigo
- Tickets
- Paper tickets being phased out
- Other cities
- Own local transit cards
- Some phones can act as a Navigo card via the app
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Renting is great for the countryside but rarely needed in Paris, where public transport is excellent and parking is hard. Traffic drives on the right; non-EU visitors may need an International Driving Permit with their licence.
- Best for
- Countryside/road trips
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- Licence
- IDP for many non-EU visitors
- City centres have low-emission zones (Crit'Air sticker rules)
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
SNCF high-speed trains (TGV) link major cities fast and comfortably; book on SNCF Connect. Budget TGV Ouigo and regional TER trains are cheaper options. Book ahead for the best TGV fares.
- High-speed
- TGV via SNCF Connect
- Budget
- Ouigo, regional TER
- Tip
- Book early for cheap TGV seats
- Reserved seats are required on TGV; validate/keep your ticket
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights connect Paris with cities like Nice, Toulouse and Marseille (Air France, Transavia). For many routes, though, the TGV is faster and easier city-centre to city-centre.
- Carriers
- Air France, Transavia
- Useful for
- Far south, Corsica, overseas
- Alternative
- TGV often faster for mid-range
- Some short domestic routes with rail alternatives have been restricted
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Traffic drives on the right. Watch for pickpockets on the metro and at stations. TGV needs seat reservations and runs on time, so arrive early. Strikes can disrupt transport, so check ahead.
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- Metro
- Mind pickpockets; keep tickets
- Strikes
- Check transport updates
- Validate paper tickets; keep them until you exit the system