Transportation
Public Transportation in Paris
When you arrive in Paris you have several options to get around: métro, bus, tram, and the RER (Réseau Express Régional d'Île-de-France). Paris and the surrounding area is divided into five circular zones and ticket prices vary depending on what zones you are traveling in.
The Paris public transportation system is run by the RATP. You can consult their website or app to find routes, see train hours, and receive updates on traffic.
MÉTRO
With its 301 stations, the Paris Méttro is one of the most extensive underground transportation systems in the world. The trains start running at about 5:30 am and run until 1:15 am (and around 2:00 am on Friday/Saturday). Trains come every few minutes so will rarely have to wait more than 5 minutes for the next train and train times are announced on the platform of each station.
RER
The RER is the commuter train that runs through Paris and its suburbs. There are five difference RER lines (A, B, C, D, E). Within zones 1 & 2, the RER is the same price as a metro ticket. Outside of these zones, prices vary by destination. If you have a single ticket, be sure to hold onto it because you will have to slip it through a turnstile to exit the RER station.
For information on other commuter trains to different parts of Île-de-France, see the Transilien website.
BUSES & TRAMS
Sixty-four bus lines run alongside and complement the métro network. When you get on a bus, remember to punch your ticket or validate your pass. To request a stop, press one of the red buttons in the bus.
In addition to the métro, the RER, and the buses, Paris has four tramway lines serving the perimeter of the city: T1, T2, T3, T4.
COMMUTE AT NIGHT
As mentioned above, please be aware that the last métro usually runs at 1:15 am during weekdays and 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. We recommend that you get a taxi or Uber home after this time, especially if you don't know the neighborhood. Alternatively, there is the option to get on a night bus (noctilien), but those are generally not recommended due to safety concerns. Forty-seven night bus lines operate from 0:30 am to 5:30 am every night.
Overall, Paris is a safe city and easy to get around but like in every large city, there are neighborhoods that are less safe than others and you need to remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
Tickets & Travel Passes
The RATP offers a number of options that allow you to travel within the public transportation system.
For a complete list of travel pass options and prices, please visit the RATP's website.
TICKET T+
For infrequent or occasional transportation use, you can purchase single use, one way tickets. These tickets allow you to use the métro, RER lines (in zone 1), bus lines (except Orlybus and Roissybus), the tramway and the Montmartre Funiculaire. Certain transfers are possible using a Ticket T+, but it is not possible to transfer between the métro and RER or bus lines.
Paper tickets can be purchased individually for 1,90€ or in packs of 10 (carnet) for 16,90€.
You can also purchase a Navigo Easy contactless card for 2€ and load individual tickets onto the card. If purchased using the Navigo Easy pass, tickets cost 1,90€ individually or 14,90€ for a carnet.
NAVIGO
The Passe Navigo is a weekly or monthly travel pass which allows for unlimited travel in the Île-de-France region. You can ask for a Navigo card at almost any RATP station upon showing proof of residence in Île-de-France. The Navigo card is personalized with the holder's name and photo.
The monthly pass costs 75,20€ for all five zones and is valid for one calendar month. The weekly pass costs 22,80€ for all five zones and is valid from Monday to Sunday of a given week.
IMAGINE R
The Imagine R student travel pass is available for university students staying in Paris for the full academic year and under age 26. This pass allows you to save more than 50% off the price of a regular Navigo monthly pass and also benefit from other discounts around Paris.
The pass costs 350€ per year (including a 8€ subscription fee when you sign up).
You can sign up online (ALL IN FRENCH) or pick up an application in certain RATP stations.
The Imagine R pass is valid for 12 months. You can begin travelling with the card on one of five dates: September 1, October 1, November 1, December 1, or January 1.
The pass allows you unlimited travel in the Île-de-France region on the métro, RER, bus, tramway, and train networks (with the exception of Orlyval).
For more information on the Imagine R pass, visit the RATP's website.
Airport Transportation
Paris has three airports: Orly, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, and Beauvais. All airports are accessible by train or bus from Paris.
For a complete list of airport transportation options and prices, please visit the RATP's website.
RER + ORLYVAL
Orly airport is connected to the RER B line at the Antony train station by the Orlyval shuttle train. This is an automatic light métro that has only three stops. The total journey (RER + Orlyval) will cost 12,10€ and will take around 45-60 minutes. If you have a Passe Navigo including all zones, you will pay an additional fare only for the Orlyval which costs 9,30€.
Orly is also connected to the RER C train at Pont de Rungis - Aéroport d'Orly and from there through a shuttle bus "Go C Paris." The travel time is about 35 minutes and a ticket costs 6,35€.
ORLYBUS
The Orlybus departs from Denfert-Rochereau from 5:35 am to midnight and brings you directly to the Orly airport. It departs from Orly Sud to Paris from 6 am to 0:30 am. The price for the bus is 9,20€ and the average journey time is 30-45 minutes. You can buy tickets at the ticket offices at Denfert-Rochereau and Orly Sud departure points, from ticket machines at Orlybus stops, or on board the Orlybus (in cash).
MÉTRO + TRAM
A cheaper but longer option is to take the métro line 7 until the terminus Villejuif-Louis Aragon, and then tramline 7 to the airport. The travel time can take up to 1.5h depending on from where you take the métro.
TAXI
Paris taxis offer a flat rate to Orly airport of 30€ to and from the Left Bank and 35€ to and from the Right Bank. This rate is valid only in G7 taxis and not Uber. The travel time is about 35-50 minutes depending on where you are picked up. Taxis can be reserved in advance for airport travel.
RER
The cheapest and fastest way to get to Charles de Gaulle airport is to take the RER B. The RER goes directly to Terminals 1 and 2. The ticket costs 10,30€ one way and if you have a Passe Navigo the fare is included in your monthly pass (no additional charge). The travel time is about 35-40 minutes. Some trains run directly from Paris to the airport, skipping stops in the suburbs, which shorten the travel time.
BUS
There are also several buses that take you directly to Charles de Gaulle airport. The Roissybus takes you from the Opéra train station in Paris to the airport and costs about 13,70€. The travel time is about 60-70 minutes. Le Bus Direct Line 2 also provides a link between the center of Paris (Étoile, Porte Maillot/Palais des Congrès, Eiffel Tower/Suffren) and Charles de Gaulle airport. The travel time is about 45-80 minutes. The tickets are rather expensive (14-20€ depending on the departure) and should be purchased in advance.
TAXI
Paris taxis offer a flat rate to Charles de Gaulle airport of 50€ to and from the Right Bank and 55€ to and from the Left Bank. This rate is valid only in G7 taxis and not Uber. The travel time is about 35-50 minutes depending on where you are picked up. Taxis can be reserved in advance for airport travel.
The Beauvais airport is a rather small airport and is located about 80 kilometers north of Paris. The airport is accessible by an airport shuttle bus which leaves from Porte Maillot and travels directly to Beauvais. The travel time is around 90 minutes. Tickets should be purchased in advance and cost 16€ each way. Beauvais airpor is mainly used by low-cost budget airlines and dominated by Ryanair and Wizz Air.
For more information and to book shuttle tickets, please visit the Beauvais airport's website.
Bikes, Scooters & Taxis
VÉLIB
Vélib' is a large-scale public bicycle sharing systen in Paris. There are blue Vélib' bikes (electric) and green Vélib' bikes (mechanical) at Vélib stations all over the city. There are several subscription plans to use Vélib'. If you are a regular user, you can subscribe to a monthly plan. Alternatively, you can buy one- or seven-day passes for occasional usages. You can order a Vélib' Métropole card or use your Navigo card and can subscrite either online or at any Vélib' station.
For more information on plans and prices, please see Vélib's official website.
E-SCOOTERS
Following several scooter accidents, including former Columbia students, we strongly discourage you from driving e-scooters in Paris despite their easy usage and strong accessibility. Driving a scooter in the streets of Paris is very dangerous. Should you wish to ride a scooter anyhow, it is extremely important not to be using headsets at the same time and to WEAR A HELMET even for short rides. Paris is a more aggressive city than you may be used to in terms of driving and traffic. Please be very careful.
TAXIS/UBER
Contrary to a city like New York, there are only few taxis that you can hail in the streets of Paris. It is generally recommended to pre-order your taxi. Taxis can be found around the city at taxi stands or can be pre-ordered by phone. The main Paris taxi company is G7. You can reserve a taxi with them by phone, on their website, or through their app.
Uber and other ride-sharing apps are an alternative to taxis and can also be managed easily through an app
Traveling in France
For more than two decades, France has reigned as the world’s most popular tourist destination, receiving 82 million foreign tourists annually. Travelers from all over the world are drawn to France’s sophisticated culture, exquisite cuisine, fine wines, romantic chateaux and picturesque countryside. You may want to check out cheap offers regularly and use your time in France to explore this beautiful country. Here is a top 10 list of the best places to visit in France: https://www.touropia.com/best-places-to-visit-in-france/
One of the best ways to visit places in France is by taking the train. Trains are run by the SNCF (Société nationale des chemins de fer). If you wish to travel by train, you can purchase tickets online with a credit card on the SNCF's website or in person at any train station in Paris.
If you plan on traveling often, or traveling after the program, it might be worthwhile to purchase a Carte Avantage Jeune. This discount pass is for those between 12 and 27 years of age. It costs 50.00€ for the year and entitles you to travel at rates discounted up to 60 %. You are guaranteed a 25% discount on train tickets. For more information and to purchase a discount pass, please see the SNCF's website.
Here are some useful tips when traveling in or outside France:
- Be sure to validate (composter) your tickets at the yellow machines on the train platform before boarding. If you do not validate your tickets, you run the risk of being fined. For the same reason, keep your tickets with you the entire length of the journey. Contrôleurs will check all passengers’ tickets.
- If you change your reservation, you may have to pay a small surcharge. Also, you will not be reimbursed if you miss your train.
- Students who plan to travel after or during the program should be sure that their families and the director in Paris know where they are at all times. For this, you need to upload ALL travels on the travel tracker app.
- If you think you will be travelling around Europe during or after the program, it might be worthwhile to purchase a Eurail pass or an Interrail pass.