Most committed travellers will experience Paris at least once in their lives. But it can be tricky to know exactly how to navigate this incredible city if you haven’t been there before. Since I was just in Paris late last year, this post has everything you need to know about getting to and from the airport, travelling within the city, and the best ways to get around like a local.
Here are some tips for getting around in Paris:
Use Blacklane
We used Blacklane for our Paris airport transfers, and I couldn’t have been happier with the experience. The last thing I want to do after a long flight is to try to navigate the public transport system or find a cab, and it was so nice to know that as soon as we arrived in Paris, our driver would be waiting to take us directly to our hotel. I’m also someone who likes to get to the airport nice and early, so instead of the usual stress associated with getting ourselves to the airport, our driver was waiting at our hotel at the perfect time, making our travel back home smooth and easy. I found the price much cheaper than a taxi, and the service was a lot more premium, so if you’re planning a trip and going to need a Paris airport transfer, there’s no better! Blacklane is available in many cities in the world and their easy booking service makes it a breeze, especially for countries where you don’t speak the language.
Do some walking
One of the best ways to really see a city is by walking, and Paris is no exception. This is a city that continually has something new (and charming) to see around every corner, and if you download the Paris map in Google Maps, you’ll be able to navigate without Wi-Fi or 3G, although half the fun is getting a little lost and discovering new restaurants, boutiques and neighbourhoods. Take your camera, as you’re guaranteed to see hidden courtyards, colourful doors, and plenty of other gems you would miss if you weren’t out having a wander.
Get on your bike
Biking has all of the advantages of walking, only it’s faster so you can cover more ground in less time. Check out the Vellib bikes which can be both rented and returned at a variety of stations throughout the city. You can buy 1 or 7-day tickets at the stations (or online), just remember to keep safe and follow all of the road rules (don’t forget to download the Velib app to see the closest station to you).
Take the Metro
While Parisians like to complain about how crowded, dirty and annoying their Metro is, it’ll still get you where you need to go both quickly and easily. The metro is easy to use, and you’ll find machines at each station so you can buy single tickets or a ten-pack if you’ll be there for a few days. Each line has a different number and colour, making it a walk in the park to navigate, and you also download a map of the metro system or check out the RATP website to plan your trip before you leave each day.
As you can see there are plenty of excellent ways to get around Paris, and after your first visit you’ll be able to navigate it like a pro. Be sure to take your hotel’s address with you each day, and you’ll find plenty of cafes have wifi so you can also navigate over a latte.
