How to get to Paris and transport in the city

Before starting to organize a trip to Paris you have to take into account some advice, and then choose a means of transport. We can get to Paris by plane, car, train ... What is the best way to travel for children ?. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, which will also vary with the age of

Before starting to organize a trip to Paris you have to take into account some advice, and then choose a means of transport. We can get to Paris by plane, car, train ... What is the best way to travel for children ?.

Each option has advantages and disadvantages, which will also vary with the age of the children, or how many of us are in the family. GuíaInfantil.com offers you the most common methods to travel to Paris with children.

Arrive in Paris with children

Plane

There are several companies that operate both from European countries and from the rest of the world, among which are Air France, Air Europa, Lufthansa, Transavia France, Iberia, easyJet, Vueling or Ryanair.

Air travel prices vary according to the distance from the city of origin and the time of year, and some of these companies are called 'low cost'.

The best can be to consult a flight search engine where you can compare the rates and services of each one.

Paris has two airports: Charles de Gaulle (also known as Roissy) and Orly. The Beauvois airport, where most of the low-cost companies operate, is located 80 km away. from Paris.

From the airport you can take taxis, or share them with other travelers. There are also bus lines that offer cheaper transfers to the center of the city, with a frequency of 30 minutes.

Both Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport are accessible via the RER, the city's commuter rail network.

Train and buses

From Spain you can travel to Paris on the direct line of trains, with departures from Madrid or Barcelona. The trains are nocturnal and their price is higher than that of the 'low-cost' companies.

There are also bus companies (Alsa, Eurolines, Starbus etc.) that travel from Spanish and European cities to the capital of France.

Traveling in Paris with the children

Metro and RER

Paris is a very large city, with more than 105 km², so public transport is the most useful option to move between points in the city, everything if the children are tired.

The city has an extensive metro network that is complemented by the RER, the suburban trains.

The metro network is very complete, although its facilities are outdated and often difficult to access if we go with the cart or the child's chair. The schedule is from 5 in the morning to 1 in the morning.

The city is divided by zones (from 1 to 6), but the main monuments and places of tourist interest are in zone 1.

The single ticket has a price of 1.70 €, so it is cheaper to buy a voucher of 10 tickets (at € 12.50) or even passes for several days (there are tickets for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days), which are called 'Paris Visite'.

This card also includes the transfer to Orly or Charles de Gaulle airports and some discounts in museums or monuments.

The price of the Paris Visite ranges from € 10 to € 30 (depending on the number of days) for adults, and € 5 to € 15 for children.

The bus network is also quite extensive and complete, although less rapid because of the frequent traffic jams.

To travel by bus in Paris there are several lines that cross the city, and you can travel in them with the same tickets that are used for the metro and the RER. This ticket can also be used to climb the Montmartre neighborhood on the funicular, which runs from 6:00 to 00:45.

There are also private companies that offer tour buses, which offer a tour of the main monuments and can be a good alternative to avoid tiring children with long walks and enjoy the scenery.

Car

If you travel from Spain or other European cities, the car is a very practical option for traveling with children, since it allows us more flexibility.

The roads between Spain and France are quite good, and the journey can take between 11 to 13 hours from Madrid, and about 8 or 10 hours from Barcelona.

It is advisable to check the route well, organize stops every few minutes in rest areas and schedule activities and games for the children.

You should also check the prices of tolls and fuel, as they vary.

Other transport: taxi and boat

The taxi in Paris is quite expensive compared to other European capitals. They are identified by a luminous sign, and can be called from the street or by calling 01 45 30 30 30.

The descent of the flag has a price of 2.30 €, and the kilometer can cost between 0.92 and 1.42 € depending on the hour.

If we want to enjoy the views of Paris at night there is a nice journey by the Seine river by boat, lasting one hour.

See more sections of our Paris guide for children.

Teresa Guerra. Copywriter