Does anyone know if taxi's / trains are expensive in Paris?

Answer 1

Yes, I know.

Oh, you want to know if they are expensive, not if I know? Ok, taxis are not as big of a hassle as everyone is making them out to be. If you are 'dressed' for an evening out, there is no problem with taxis. They can usually circumvent some of the traffic, but they are not particularly cheap. To go from Champs Elysees to the city center (Opera Garnier area), after dark, was roughly 8 Euros. We had no problem with rude drivers or drivers that took advantage of us.

The trains are accessable, but is often crowded and the signs are not always clear. You can get a 10 ticket pack for 11-12 Euros.


But, if the weather is clear and you aren't dressed up, there is no reason to take the train OR the taxi. Everything in Paris is roughly within walking distance, if your hotel is in a fairly accessable area. We stayed near the Arc de Triomphe/ Champs Elysses and we walked virtually everywhere except during rain. Wear some comfortable shoes, pack a travel umbrella and a good map, and enjoy the sites, the pastry shops, and the wine bars as you walk from place to place. : )

Answer 2

Taxis are expensive from French point of view and if you compare it with how cheap metro/RER/bus can be, but it's not that expensive, if you take into account that distances are much smaller than in London or New York and that tipping is optional - you don't have to give 15-20% tips, 25-50 eurocents will be enough inside Paris (if you want to be nice, give a Euro).

If you stay in Paris for several days, take the advantage of it's Carte d'Orange Hebdomadaire (weekly pass), which is valid from Monday to Sunday on all public transportation within the zone bought (Paris is covered by zones 1-2, airports and some interesting suburbs like Versailles and Fontainebleau can be as far as zone 6).

Answer 3

Don't under any circumstance take a taxi in Paris!! Prices are actually the same level as in any major town but they drive like mad people and you're actually always stuck in a traffic jam. The Metro (Trains, etc.) is the best way to travel. And Visitors get good deals on Day Passes and so on.

Answer 4

It was my experience that taxis are not that expensive in Paris. Especially if you are comparing them with New York or San Francisco prices. The best way to get around is the metro...definitely the metro!

Answer 5

Don't take any taxi in Paris unless it's too late for the underground. It's quite expensive but it depends on the distance...The thing is that I'm afraid you might be cheated as a foreigner...
The bus is well deserved too, and works all night for central Paris.
It's true you have as in England week/day/ month tickets...and it's cheaper than in London.

Answer 6

taxis are quite expensive and you cant find them everywhere in the town.

Metro (city train) is not expensive and you can buy a day ticket. The network is quite important and you can reach every destination in Paris in a few time...

Answer 7

Taxi's. the same as any other big city, are a rip off. Also, if your French isnt that good, the drivers usually don't appreciate it. Also, French people drive like maniacs, traffic lights appear to be totally optional.

Luckily, the train and metro sytem is excellent, much better than London's. Tickets are priced around the same as our tube system, I seem to recall you can get bargain day tickets.

Answer 8

I agree with the others for the reasons listed above... take the metro whenever possible. However, the metro stops running at about 1 a.m. - though there are night buses that replace the metro from about 1 to 5 am.

They have a really good website which will show you how it works and you can decide which type of ticket to buy (buy a one day or weekly pass if you are going to be here for a few days).
http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php

Answer 9

I have heard that taxis are extremely expensive. Not even the locals use them very often.

I have heard that the Metro is recommended for traveling around.

Answer 10

use the metro,its really cheap and quick and it go's everywhere.if you buy 10 tickets at a time it works out really cheap.don't use a taxi coz traffic is mad!there are water taxi's which give a beautiful view of the city.