Metro, bus, RER, taxi, or on foot — Paris has a dense, easy-to-use transport network covering the whole city and its suburbs at a single flat fare.
Paris runs on one of the densest metro networks in the world, and getting around rarely means more than a short walk to the nearest station. Since January 2025, the old fare-zone system is gone entirely: a single flat rate now covers travel across the whole Île-de-France region, whether you're going three stops or all the way to Versailles.
The Paris Metro has 16 lines and over 300 stations, making it the fastest way to reach almost anywhere in the city center. Trains run every 2 to 5 minutes during the day, and most rides between central sights take under 20 minutes.
The RER is a faster regional rail network that connects central Paris with the suburbs and both airports. It shares several central stations with the metro but covers longer distances with fewer stops, making it the better choice for trips to Versailles, Disneyland Paris, or Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports.
Paris's bus network reaches areas the metro doesn't, and riding above ground gives you a view of the city you don't get underground. Buses run less frequently than the metro and are more exposed to traffic, so they're a better fit for shorter, scenic hops than for crossing the city quickly.
Official taxis wait at marked stands throughout the city or can be flagged down on the street when their rooftop light is on. Uber and Bolt also operate widely in Paris and tend to be a more predictable, if often pricier, option than a street taxi, especially late at night.
Vélib', the city's bike-share system, has stations across Paris and includes electric-assist bikes. Several private e-scooter and bike rental apps also operate throughout the city for shorter point-to-point trips.
Central Paris is compact enough that many major sights sit within walking distance of each other, and some of the best views of the city come from simply walking along the Seine or through a neighborhood between stops.
Whichever combination you use, a single ticket type now works across the metro, RER, and Transilien trains throughout the region, taking most of the guesswork out of getting from one sight to the next.
