Alternative transport in Paris: a guide to sustainable and unusual ways of getting around

Find out more in this article:

• What are the best alternative transport options for getting around Paris?
• Mini-guide: Exploring Paris without a car in 3 days
• How much do these alternatives to the metro, RER and RATP buses cost?
• Which alternative transport option should you choose based on your travel profile?
• How can you get around safely and adopt sustainable transport in the Île-de-France region?
• Frequently asked questions

🎯 What are the best alternative modes of transport for getting around Paris?

If you want to get around Paris without using a car, taxi or private hire vehicle, the capital offers a comprehensive network of eco-friendly, practical and fun alternatives.

📌 Cycling in Paris: Vélib’, e-bikes and self-service bike hire

With over 1,000 km of cycle paths, cycling has become one of the capital’s main modes of transport.

• Vélib’ Métropole: this public service offers conventional (green) and electric (blue) bikes, available 24 hours a day at over 1,400 stations across Paris and the Greater Paris area
• Private hire companies: for a day trip or a specific type of bike (cargo bike, tandem), numerous local partners offer half-day or full-day hire
• Approximate journey times by bike:
  • Gare du Nord ➔ Châtelet / Central Paris: around 12 minutes
  • Eiffel Tower ➔ Musée d’Orsay: around 10 minutes, via the banks of the Seine
  • Place de la Bastille ➔ Place de la Concorde: around 15 minutes, via the cycle path on Rue de Rivoli

📌 The Batobus: a river route on the Seine

A genuine alternative on the water, the Batobus is a river shuttle that takes you right into the heart of Paris. With 9 key stops (Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Musée d’Orsay, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Notre-Dame de Paris, Jardin des Plantes, Hôtel de Ville, Louvre and Place de la Concorde), you can hop on and off as you please to visit the major monuments without having to deal with traffic.

📌 Walking and sustainable transport: an update on e-scooters

Walking remains the simplest and 100% free way to explore the historic streets.

• Beware of scooters: since 1 September 2023, self-service (free-floating) electric scooters have been strictly banned in Paris
• Personal scooters: you may ride your own personal motorised mobility device (PMD) provided you use only cycle paths or roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h (speed limited to a maximum of 25 km/h)

📌 What are some unusual modes of transport in Paris?

To add a bit of spice to your journeys or celebrate a special occasion, the capital is brimming with original options:

• Vintage 2CV and sidecar: guided and private tours in a classic car or retro sidecar to discover Paris from a romantic perspective
• Bicycle taxi (modern electric tuk-tuk): ideal for a short journey or a bespoke tour with zero CO₂ emissions
• ⚠️ Our advice to travellers regarding traditional tuk-tuks: we strongly advise against accepting unsolicited offers from unlicensed tuk-tuks in the vicinity of major tourist areas (Eiffel Tower, Louvre), due to often exorbitant prices and a frequent lack of transparent pricing. Always book through certified transport apps or with official service providers

🎯 Suggested itinerary: exploring Paris without a car in 3 days

Would you like to explore the capital using 100% sustainable transport? Here’s a suggestion for an immersive itinerary without ever setting foot in a car:

• Day 1 – Along the water and through the city’s heritage: arrive at the station, take a stroll through the Marais, then board the Batobus from the Hôtel de Ville stop to the Eiffel Tower at sunset
• Day 2 – Paris by bike along the Seine: hire a Vélib’ or a rental bike. Cycle across Paris from east to west along the safe cycle path on Rue de Rivoli, stop off at the Tuileries Gardens and carry on to the Bois de Boulogne
• Day 3 – Unusual stroll and panoramic views: spend the morning exploring the covered arcades on foot, the afternoon in a cycle taxi to the Left Bank, and the evening during a Paris Car-Free Day (held on the first Sunday of every month in the city centre)

🎯 How much do these alternatives to the metro, RER and bus cost?

Here is a comparison table to assess the costs, accessibility and environmental impact of the main alternative options compared to a standard public transport route:

• Practical note: these transport options perfectly complement the Île-de-France Mobilités networks, RATP, Transilien and the Transdev Île-de-France routes when you need to make longer journeys to the outskirts

🎯 Which alternative transport option should you choose based on your travel profile?

To tailor your mode of transport to your needs:

• With the family: the Batobus remains a favourite with children thanks to its panoramic views of the monuments, combined with bike taxis to spare the little ones from getting tired
• Couples: treat yourselves to an unusual tour at dusk or a cycle ride along the pedestrianised banks of the Seine
• With friends: opt for self-service bikes or bike hire from our partners to explore the cycle paths as a group
• Business travellers: combine the train to Parisian stations with an e-bike for your meetings: punctuality guaranteed with no risk of traffic jams
• People with reduced mobility (PRM): the Batobus offers accessible facilities at most of its stops (notably the Eiffel Tower and the Musée d’Orsay), and adapted cycle taxis provide a comfortable door-to-door transfer in the historic centre

🎯 How can you get around safely and adopt sustainable transport in Île-de-France?

📌 Regulations and safety for cyclists and e-bike users

To get around the capital with complete peace of mind:

1. Cycle paths: use cycle paths and cycle lanes wherever possible. Obey traffic lights (watch out for M12 signs allowing cyclists to turn right)
2. Mandatory equipment: front and rear lights and reflectors in working order. Helmets are compulsory for children under 12 (strongly recommended for adults)
3. Pavements: cycling or riding a scooter on pavements is strictly prohibited (except for children under 8 years old cycling at walking pace)

📌 CSR commitments and air quality

The City of Paris is continuing its transformation to become a carbon-neutral capital. Thanks to the roll-out of the Cycling Plan, the creation of a Low-Traffic Area (ZTL) and the development of clean transport, air quality is continuously improving. By choosing to walk, cycle or use river ferries during your stay, you are playing a direct part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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