The Paris Metro, opened in 1900, is the fastest and most efficient way to explore the city, with 16 lines, 303 stations, and over 225 km of track serving 4 million passengers daily. Color-coded and numbered lines make navigation intuitive: Line 1 (yellow) crosses central Paris from La Défense to Château de Vincennes, stopping at Louvre, Champs-Élysées, and Bastille; Line 4 (purple) links Montmartre to the Latin Quarter via Châtelet and Saint-Germain. Trains run 5:30 AM to 1:15 AM (2:15 AM Fridays/Saturdays) every 2–8 minutes. Ongoing automation and new extensions improve reliability. Stations feature Art Nouveau entrances by Hector Guimard at select stops, adding historic charm.

Paris’s bus network complements the Metro perfectly, offering above-ground scenic routes through iconic neighborhoods with over 60 daytime lines and Noctilien night buses. Buses provide views of Haussmann boulevards, monuments, and daily life impossible underground. Trams (T1–T11) serve outer arrondissements and suburbs with modern, quiet vehicles. Most buses run 6:30 AM–8:30 PM, with reduced Sunday service; 40+ Noctilien lines operate overnight. Stops display real-time arrival screens, and routes like #69 (Eiffel Tower–Père Lachaise) or #38 (Châtelet–Porte d’Orléans) are tourist favorites. Electric buses dominate, making rides quieter and greener.

Paris is a walker’s paradise—compact, flat in central areas, and packed with beauty around every corner. Many top sights (Louvre, Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower) are within 2–4 km, and strolling along the Seine, through Marais alleys, or up Montmartre hills reveals cafés, bookstalls, and street performers. For longer distances, Vélib’ Métropole offers 20,000+ bikes (mechanical and electric) at 1,400+ stations citywide. Launched in 2007 and continually expanded with more e-bikes, it’s affordable and eco-friendly. Dedicated bike lanes now cover over 1,000 km, including car-free riverside paths on Sundays via Paris Respire initiative.

For door-to-door convenience, especially with luggage, late nights, or groups, taxis and rideshares are reliable options. Official Paris taxis (15,000+) feature roof signs and meters; stands are common at stations, airports, and attractions. Ridesharing apps like Uber, Bolt, and Free Now operate widely with upfront pricing. Electric and hybrid vehicles dominate fleets, and regulations ensure fair pricing. Taxis accept cards; rideshares are app-only. Traffic can add time, but services are available 24/7, ideal for airport transfers or when public transport ends.