Tips for getting around Paris with Children

The modes of transport are varied in Paris. As you can see when you arrive, urban life is dense with cars, scooters, bikes, scooters, pedestrians, etc. So, how to visit Paris, while keeping your children safe?

Table Of Contents

How to visit Paris with kids during your stay
How to get from the airport to downtown Paris?
- Take a cab or VTC, the best solution with babies
- Taking public transportation
Conclusions
Other Articles you may want ti check-out

How to visit Paris with kids during your stay

Paris by METRO with kids

Of course the metro is not practical with a stroller (as explained above), but it is by far the most efficient way to get around Paris, even with children. Its network will take you everywhere in a limited time, and often faster than the car or the cab. We have listed the metro stations to choose from, which will already allow you to get around the capital.

On the RATP website you can find all the information you need about your itinerary, travel time, and fares. Tickets can be bought directly in the metro stations. REALLY, download their mobile application, it gives you all the information you need, including delays and departure times for the next metros.

Good to know

Metro tickets are valid for a maximum of 1.5 hours. You are allowed to alternate between bus, metro and streetcar during this time.
The metro and buses are free for children under 4 years old.
Children between 4 and 9 years old pay half price
Weekend and holiday tickets are available for children under 26. Very advantageous, they allow to circulate during 24 hours from 4.10€. They are not well known, so don’t hesitate to consult this RATP web page, or ask for help at the metro station ticket office.
Forfait Paris Visite : if you plan to take the metro about 5 to 6 times a day, then this ticket is for you. It is valid for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days and will cost you between 11.65€ and 63.90€ depending on the time and zones chosen. Children always get a 50% discount.
If you wish to go to the airport, the Château de Versailles, La Défense or Disneyland, a different ticket must be purchased. You will not be able to use the same tickets as in Paris. Ask about the terminals in the metro.

Paris by Foot with kids

Why we recommend visiting Paris by foot

Paris can also be visited on foot, and it is better to be comfortable in your shoes to do so. Strolling through the streets of Paris will allow you to discover many authentic corners and some of the most pleasant alleys. Some areas are almost exclusively pedestrian such as the Marais or Montmartre. Others like the Latin Quarter or the Ile de la Cité are much more pleasant on foot than by car!

Many neighborhoods also have parks where your children can run around. We mention them a little bit further down. They will also prove to be very useful for an improvised picnic or a snack in the grass.

You can find all our recommendations for walks on our MAPSTR account.

Equipment to bring when visiting Paris by foot with children

Sneakers and flat shoes are mandatory for children as well as for parents!
Think about taking a backpack, it will be useful for the day. You will be able to put some snacks, water, camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, and potentially something to change baby during the day.

Ideally, if you are nomadic and want to give yourself every opportunity to wander around the city, you should bring a baby carrier, a large backpack and rent strollers at key locations.
If you forgot your bag at home, go to the nearest Decathlon. You’ll find one for cheap!

Paris by Tourist Bus HOP-ON HOP-OFF

A day ticket costs between 30 and 40 euros per adult, depending on the current promotions. It’s half price for children and free for babies.
Tourist buses are an excellent way to get from one tourist site to another, without thinking about anything else than to make your eyes glaze over. The downside of this choice is the relatively high price compared to public transportation

Paris with an UBER type VTC

Uber is available in Paris as well. Download the application before you arrive in Paris to make it easier for you once you are there.

Beware, after a certain time and for short distances (5 to 10 minutes), it is sometimes more interesting to hail a cab on the street. Uber increases its price according to the demand, and can therefore suddenly become more expensive than traditional city cabs. This happens more often in the evening.

Paris with a TAXI

Is it possible to hail a cab in Paris?

Hailing a cab is not part of the French culture, but it can be done, so don’t deprive yourself. Look if the lights on the roof of the car are “green”, and try your luck. Another option: find a cab stand. You can spot them by a line of cars and/or a blue sign and reserved parking spaces. There are many in the capital.

Should I tip Parisian cabs?

A 10% tip is appreciated by the drivers but is not mandatory, nor is it part of the French culture. Do not feel obliged!
On the other hand, always ask if the cab driver takes the credit card if it is your means of payment. Some drivers claim that their device does not work when paying, in order to collect the money in the “black”.

Minivan rental or private shuttles

You can benefit from a chauffeur-driven trip to or from the airport, or even daily rentals with G7 Events. You can also rent a Blue Taxi (€9.90 payable at the time of booking and then the price of the trip). Their minibuses can accommodate up to 7 passengers. G7 has also developed an offer for families including child seats and booster seats: G7 KIDS.

Private shuttle services are available to move around Paris and the Paris region for a fee that can be set in advance. If there are several of you traveling, you can find the most suitable transportation for your group: minivans, MPVs or minibuses are offered by France Luxury Cab, Le Transport Smart, Connect Smart Drive or Imediat Services.

How to get from the airport to downtown Paris?

There are three main airports leading to Paris:

Charles de Gaulle (30km): the largest airport in France and the second largest in Europe. It is located 30 km from Paris and takes about 50 minutes to reach the center of Paris, traffic permitting.
Paris Orly (15km): The preferred airport for European and international medium-haul destinations. It is the closest airport to Paris. It only takes about 30 minutes to reach the city from Orly by car and about 45 minutes by public transportation.
Beauvais (75km): very far from Paris (it will take 1H30 by bus to reach the capital), it is the place where low cost companies like Ryanair have decided to land.

Take a cab or VTC, the best solution with babies

Why it is better to choose this mode of transport with young children

If your children are 5 years old or younger, you are probably loaded with a few extra things that will be difficult to carry through public transportation. Besides, even if your children are older, as long as you are a family of 4, a cab is an almost economical solution. Between a cab for the whole family and the price of individual tickets for public transportation, there will not be a big difference.

How to find the cab stands at the exit of the flights?

If you arrive in Paris by plane, after passing through customs, look up and look for the “Taxi” signs. Beware, if cabs approach you outside the Taxi zone, their transportation is illegal. Do not take them!

For your safety, follow the cab signs and wait in the outside queue for a registered cab.

How much does a cab or a VTC cost between the airports and Paris center?

It is important to know that the cab rates are approximately the same as with Uber for example. The price difference is based on two criteria, which we advise you to look at:

Destination or departure Paris or small suburbs: the rates from Paris to the airport are standardized. So you know what you are going to pay. However, if you leave from a nearby suburb, you may pay more.
Traffic: the longer the wait or the longer the time, the higher the meter goes. Thus, Uber changes its flat rates based on traffic and user demand. It is becoming increasingly rare for VTCs to offer more attractive prices than licensed cabs to and from airports.

Average prices per cab ride

CDG to Paris: The cab fare will cost you between 55 euros and 80 euros, depending on the traffic conditions.
Orly to Paris: The average cab fare from Orly to the center of Paris is between 35 and 45 euros.
Beauvais to Paris : out of price, you will have to turn to the shuttles by bus which make you the journey from and to the capital. It will cost 29€/adult and 20€/child to make the round trip.

Taking public transportation

How to find the RER at the exit of the flights?

Finding the RER at the exit of the airport is not an easy task, depending on the terminal you are arriving from… For some, you will have to walk 20 minutes to get there. Again, look up and look for the signs.

How much does it cost to get to or from the airport?

RER train from CDG to Paris = 10-11€. You can buy your ticket in the airport stations and in any other Metro-RER station. But be aware of the special RER pricing: the “t+ ticket” is not valid for trips outside Paris.
RER train from ORLY to Paris = 12,10 € for adults, and half that for children.

Access to CDG airport

The CDG airport station is connected to the “RER B” line which serves two stations at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport:

Terminal 1 & 3 ⇒ Gare Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 station. From Terminal 3, you can walk to the station. However, passengers in Terminal 1 will need to take the automatic CDGVAL shuttle bus to reach the terminal.
Terminal 2 (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) ⇒ Gare Charles de Gaulle 2 station. From Terminal 2, you can walk to the terminal with a little bit of walking.

Access to Orly airport

The airport is also connected by the RER B train. You will have to take a shuttle bus called ORLYVAL for about 10 minutes and stop at the RER B Anthony station. From there, take the RER B train to the capital for about 30 minutes. Pay attention to the bus schedule and to the purchase of your RER+Shuttle ticket which is a special ticket.

Conclusions

Ready to visit the capital of love? Tell us in comments the mode of transportation that suits you the most, so we can share your good ideas!