Buy a Navigo Easy card and tap the same single ticket on the Metro, bus, tram and city-zone RER.

From Charles de Gaulle, the RER B train is the fastest, cheapest way into central Paris in about 35 minutes.

Food & essentials in Paris

Grab a fresh boulangerie sandwich or a bakery formule for a fast, reliable, cheap meal almost anywhere.

Paris is generally safe; your main risk is pickpocketing in crowds and on the busiest transit lines.

Cards and phone tap work nearly everywhere; carry a little cash for small bakeries and markets.

Local phrases in Paris

A few polite French openers go a long way - always start with 'Bonjour'.

Connectivity in Paris

Install an eSIM before you land, or buy an Orange/SFR/Free SIM at the airport or a phone shop.

Call 112 for any emergency from any phone - it connects to French services in English.

Getting around

How to get around in Paris

Paris is compact and built for walking, with one of the densest metro networks in the world layered under it. Most trips inside the city take under 30 minutes door to door on the Metro, RER or bus, all on one tap-and-go fare. Get a Navigo Easy card or load Navigo on your phone, and you will rarely need a taxi.

CurrencyEUR Emergency112 TimeCET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer LanguageFrench

Buy a Navigo Easy card (2 EUR) from any station machine or ticket window and load a carnet of tickets or a day pass.
Install the official 'Bonjour RATP' app for live routes, or Citymapper for the clearest door-to-door directions.
Tap your card flat on the purple reader at every entry; on buses and trams tap on boarding.
Follow the line number and the end-of-line station name on signs to pick your direction (e.g. M1 toward La Defense).
Keep your card or proof of travel until you exit - inspectors do check.

Single ticket (t+)2,50 EUR (~$2.70)Carnet of 10~21,00 EUR (~$22.70)Navigo Day pass~12,00 EUR all zones (~$13)App to installBonjour RATP or Citymapper

Fares were simplified in 2025 to one flat Metro/RER city fare - confirm the current price at the machine.
A single Metro ticket does not allow a free transfer onto a bus, and vice versa - plan accordingly.

Follow 'Paris by Train / RER' signs in the terminal to the CDG station.
Buy the airport-to-Paris fare at the machine or window, or take the Roissybus to Opera if you have heavy luggage.
Board RER B toward Paris and ride to Gare du Nord, Chatelet-les-Halles or Saint-Michel for central connections.
For step-free comfort, pre-book a fixed-price taxi or a ride app instead.

RER B fare~13,00 EUR (~$14)RER B time~35-45 min to central ParisTaxi flat rate56 EUR Right Bank / 65 EUR Left Bank (~$60-70)Last RER B~23:30-00:00, confirm locally

CDG official taxis use a government flat rate to central Paris - ignore anyone offering a 'taxi' at arrivals doors.
RER B can be crowded and has stairs at some stops; with large bags the Roissybus or a taxi is calmer.

Look for a 'Boulangerie' - a jambon-beurre baguette sandwich is the classic safe, cheap bite.
Ask for the 'formule du midi' (lunch set: sandwich or dish plus drink) for the best value before 14:00.
For groceries and water, use a Franprix, Monoprix or Carrefour City - they are on most corners.
Tap water (carafe d'eau) is safe and free in any cafe or restaurant - just ask for it.

Bakery sandwich5-8 EUR (~$5-9)Lunch formule10-15 EUR (~$11-16)Coffee at counter~2,00 EUR (~$2.20)Tap waterFree - 'une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plait'

Standing at the counter (au comptoir) is cheaper than table service at many cafes.
Many family-run spots close between lunch and dinner (15:00-19:00) and on Sundays.

Wear your bag across your body and zipped, and keep your phone in a front pocket on the Metro.
Stay aware around major sights (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sacre-Coeur) and on lines 1, 4 and RER B.
Politely decline the 'petition', 'gold ring', and 'friendship bracelet' approaches - just keep walking.
At ATMs and ticket machines, cover the keypad and ignore anyone offering to 'help' you.

Main riskPickpocketing in tourist crowdsPolice (EU)112Police (France)17

Crowded escalators and train doors at closing are classic pickpocket moments - hold your bag close.
Stay calm and firm with persistent street approaches; you owe no one a conversation.

Tap your card or phone (contactless) for almost all purchases, including most transit machines.
Withdraw euros from a bank ATM (BNP, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole) inside or beside a branch.
Decline 'pay in your home currency' on card terminals - always choose to pay in EUR.
Keep coins and small notes for bakeries, markets and public toilets.

CurrencyEuro (EUR), card accepted widelyTypical ATM withdrawal20-100 EUR (~$22-110)TippingService included; round up 5-10% if pleased

Avoid standalone 'Euronet' ATMs - their fees and exchange rates are poor.
Service is legally included in restaurant prices, so tipping is optional and modest, not expected.

HelloBonjour - bohn-ZHOORExcuse mePardon - par-DOHNDo you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais? - par-lay VOO ahn-GLAYWhere is the metro?Ou est le metro? - OO ay luh may-TROHHow much is it?C'est combien? - say kohm-bee-AHNA ticket, pleaseUn ticket, s'il vous plait - uhn tee-KAY seel voo PLAYThank youMerci - mair-SEEHelp!Au secours! - oh suh-KOOR

Opening with 'Bonjour' before any request noticeably warms up the response you get.

Buy an eSIM from Airalo, Holafly or your carrier before arrival and activate it on landing.
Or grab a prepaid Orange, SFR, Bouygues or Free Mobile SIM at a CDG shop or any high-street store.
EU roaming is free across the bloc, so a French or EU SIM works everywhere in Europe.
Use free wifi at cafes, museums and the city 'Paris Wi-Fi' hotspots when you need a top-up.

Travel eSIM~10-20 EUR for ~10 GB (~$11-22)Prepaid SIM~20 EUR with generous data (~$22)Free public wifiCafes, museums, 'Paris Wi-Fi' spots

Check your phone is carrier-unlocked before buying a physical SIM.
eSIM is the simplest route - no shop visit and it works the moment you land.

For any life-threatening emergency, call 112 (works on any phone, free, English available).
For a medical emergency specifically, call 15 (SAMU ambulance) for fast triage.
Look for a green cross 'Pharmacie' for minor health needs; staff give solid advice and basic care.
For a hospital, central options include Hotel-Dieu near Notre-Dame and Pitie-Salpetriere - let dispatch guide you.
If it is serious, call the professionals first - do not try to drive yourself across the city.

All emergencies (EU)112Medical / ambulance (SAMU)15Police17Fire / rescue18

112 reaches all services and has English-speaking operators - use it if unsure which number to call.
A pharmacie can handle minor issues quickly, but for anything serious call 15 or 112 first.

Standing in Paris right now?

Open the live agent - it will use your exact location and answer follow-ups in real time.

Open the app

Local details drift - confirm live times and fares on the day. Spot something out of date?