24 April 2025·5 min read

Getting Around Paris: Métro, RER, Vélib & Taxi Guide (2025)

Paris's Métro is the fastest way to navigate the city — 16 lines, 302 stations, and €2.15 per trip. Here's the complete transport guide for 2025.

Paris's public transport network — the Métro, RER (suburban rail), buses, and Vélib' bike-share — covers virtually every corner of the city affordably. The contactless payment system (introduced 2021) means no Navigo card is needed if you have a contactless bank card.

Paris Transport Options & Costs (2025)

Métro (zones 1–2)€2.15/trip with contactless or carnet; daily cap from €7.50 (Navigo Liberté+)

RER B to CDG Airport€11.80 single; 35 min from Châtelet–Les Halles

Orlyval + RER B from ORY€13.40 to central Paris; or Orlybus direct €9.10

Bus€2.15/trip; same ticket as Métro; slower but scenic (Bus 72 along the Seine)

Vélib' (bike-share)€3.50/30-min single ride (mechanical); day pass €15 unlimited 30-min rides

Taxi / UberTaxi: €4.18 flag fall + €1.21–1.60/km; Uber typically 20–30% cheaper

The Paris Métro: What You Need to Know

The Paris Métro has 16 lines (numbered 1–14 plus 3bis and 7bis) operating 5:30am to 1:15am (2:15am on weekends). Line 1 (yellow, east–west through the centre) is the most useful tourist line — it runs from La Défense through the Louvre, Châtelet, and Bastille. Line 4 connects Gare du Nord to Montparnasse. The RER A and B are faster for longer distances (CDG airport, Versailles). A carnet of 10 tickets (€17.35) is the best value for short stays. Navigo week pass (€30, Mon–Sun only) is cheaper if you're doing 8+ trips in a Mon–Sun week.

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Paris banned single-use paper Métro tickets from 2022 — you now need either a Navigo card (ask at any station), the Navigo Liberté+ daily cap card, or a contactless bank card/phone. Contactless is the simplest: tap at entry only (no tap on exit), and you're charged the correct zonal fare automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Paris transport pass for tourists?

For a 5–7 day visit making 4+ trips daily, the Paris Visite pass (€42 zones 1–3 for 5 days) or Navigo week pass (€30, must start Monday) offer the best value. For shorter stays or fewer trips, contactless pay-as-you-go at €2.15/trip is simpler and potentially cheaper.

Is Uber available in Paris?

Yes — Uber is widely available in Paris. Standard UberX trips are typically 20–30% cheaper than metered taxis. G7 (Paris's main traditional taxi company) also has an app. During strikes (which affect Métro periodically), Uber surges significantly — book early or take a Vélib' instead.

How do I get from Gare du Nord to the Eiffel Tower?

Easiest route: Métro Line 4 from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse–Bienvenüe (12 min), then Métro Line 6 to Bir-Hakeim (7 min) — total about €4.30 and 25 minutes. Alternatively, the scenic route: Bus 95 from near Gare du Nord passes the Opéra and Palais Royal — slower but great for sightseeing.

Book a pre-arranged transfer in Paris

Fixed price · no meter disputes · book in advance