
Paris passes are a great way to save money when visiting the city's top attractions. The passes give tourists free entry and allow them to skip the lines at over 50 museums and landmarks. Some passes also include transportation benefits, such as unlimited rides on public transport. While most Paris passes do not include airport transfers, transportation passes like the Paris Visite travel pass can be purchased separately and used for travel to and from the airport. These passes can be purchased for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days and offer unlimited travel on the Metro, Bus, RER, and other forms of public transportation.
What You'll Learn
Transport from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris city centre
There are several ways to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the city centre of Paris. Here are some options:
By Taxi
Taxis are available outside all terminals at Charles de Gaulle Airport and offer a quick and convenient way to get to the city centre. The journey usually takes around 30 minutes, depending on traffic and your destination. The fare is fixed at €56 for the Right Bank and €65 for the Left Bank. Taxis can accommodate up to four passengers without any extra charge, and a fifth passenger can be added for €5.50. It is recommended to have your destination written down to avoid communication issues, as not all taxi drivers speak English.
By Train
The RER B train provides a fast and affordable connection to the city centre. The train departs from two stations at the airport: Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 at Terminal 3, and Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV between Terminals 2C/2D and 2E/2F. The train runs from 4:50 am to 11:50 pm, with trains arriving every 10 to 20 minutes. The journey to the city centre takes around 30-40 minutes, depending on your destination. A one-way ticket costs €11.80 for adults, and children under four travel for free. Tickets can be purchased from ticket offices or vending machines at the stations, or online.
By Bus
There are several bus options available, including the RoissyBus and two RATP city bus lines (Bus Lines 350 and 351). The RoissyBus is the most direct option, running from the airport to Opéra in central Paris. It operates from 5:15 am to 12:30 am, with buses arriving every 15-20 minutes, and the journey takes about 60 minutes. The bus ticket costs €16.60 and can be purchased on the bus or from ticket counters and machines at the airport. Bus Lines 350 and 351 are more affordable options, with tickets costing €2.50. These buses make more stops and the journey takes around 70-80 minutes. They operate from early morning to late evening, with buses arriving every 15-35 minutes.
By Private Transfer
Private transfer services, such as Welcome Pickups, offer a convenient and personalised way to get to the city centre. You can book in advance and have a driver waiting for you at the airport. They offer door-to-door service and can accommodate different group sizes. The price depends on the vehicle type and time of day, with daytime rates starting at €63 for a sedan and €108 for a minivan.
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Paris Visite travel pass
The Paris Visite travel pass is a great option for tourists who want to explore Paris and the Île-de-France region using public transport. This pass offers unlimited travel on various transport options, including the metro, tramway, bus, RER, SNCF Transilien networks, and even the Montmartre funicular. It is valid for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days, providing flexibility for visitors with different itineraries.
The Paris Visite pass can be purchased for two different zone options: zones 1-3 or zones 1-5. The first option, zones 1-3, covers travel within Paris and the close suburbs, while the second option, zones 1-5, extends to include travel to Orly and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airports, Disneyland, and Versailles. This makes it a convenient choice for those who plan to use public transport to and from the airports or wish to visit these popular tourist destinations.
The pass can be purchased at ticket desks and vending machines in RATP stations, online through select websites, and at the airports and tourist information points in Paris. It is priced at €43.30 for five days in zones 1-3, with varying prices for different durations and zones. The pass also includes special offers and discounts at select attractions, such as a 25% discount on the entrance fee to the Tour Montparnasse observation platform.
It is important to note that before using the Paris Visite pass, individuals must write their personal information, including their full name and the valid dates, on the magnetic ticket. This ticket then becomes personal and non-transferable. Additionally, the validity period of the pass starts at midnight on the first day and ends at midnight on the last day.
Overall, the Paris Visite travel pass offers a convenient and flexible way to navigate Paris and its surrounding areas, especially for those looking to use public transport to reach the airports or popular tourist destinations.
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Paris Pass sightseeing options
The Paris Pass offers a range of sightseeing options to cater to different preferences and interests. The pass includes access to various attractions, tours, and transportation methods, providing flexibility and convenience for exploring the city. Here is an overview of the sightseeing possibilities:
Attractions and Monuments
The Paris Pass grants access to numerous iconic landmarks and monuments in the city. Some of the notable places included are the Eiffel Tower, with options for a guided climb or a fast-track access ticket to the second floor. Other landmarks mentioned are the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Cœur, and the Palace of Versailles. The pass also offers entry to museums such as the Musée d'Orsay, the Musée de Cluny, and the Musée Picasso.
Guided Tours
The pass provides access to guided tours, allowing visitors to delve deeper into the city's history and culture. These tours can be on foot or by other means of transportation. For instance, there are walking tours of specific neighbourhoods like Le Marais, Latin Quarter, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Additionally, bike tours and Segway tours are available for those who want to explore the city while getting around on two wheels. River cruises along the Seine are also included, offering a relaxing perspective of Paris's landmarks.
Transportation Options
The Paris Pass includes transportation options to facilitate getting around the city. The pass covers the Paris Visite Pass (Travelcard), which allows unlimited travel in central Paris across different transport modes, including the Métro, buses, trams, and overground trains (RER/SNCF). This makes it convenient for pass holders to navigate Paris and reach their desired destinations with ease.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus and Boat Tours
For those who prefer a more flexible sightseeing experience, the Paris Pass includes hop-on hop-off bus and boat tours. These tours allow visitors to board and disembark at various stops, providing the freedom to explore at their own pace. The bus tours typically include audio guides, offering informative insights about the city.
Additional Activities and Experiences
In addition to the standard attractions and tours, the Paris Pass offers access to unique activities and experiences. These include French wine and cheese tastings, such as at Les Caves du Louvre, as well as special events and shows. For instance, the pass provides entry to the Grévin Wax Museum and the opportunity to attend a fashion show at Galeries Lafayette.
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Paris Pass museum options
The Paris Museum Pass is a great way to save money and time when visiting the city's top museums and monuments. The pass gives you free entry to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris and the surrounding area, including the Louvre, Orsay Museum, Arc de Triomphe, and the Palace of Versailles. The pass is valid for 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days and costs €48, €62, or €78, respectively.
The Paris Museum Pass is a great option for those who want to visit multiple museums and monuments during their trip to Paris. With the pass, you can skip the long entrance lines at many attractions and save money on admission fees. However, the pass may not be the best deal for those who are only visiting Paris for a day or two or who have already visited the city before.
- Louvre Museum
- Orsay Museum
- Arc de Triomphe
- Palace of Versailles
- Musée Rodin
- Centre Pompidou
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Pantheon
- National Museum of the Middle Ages (Cluny)
- Musée de l'Orangerie
- City of Architecture and Heritage
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts)
- Musée d'Orsay
- Musée du Quai Branly
- Musée des Égouts de Paris (Paris Sewers Museum)
- Musée de l'Armée (Army Museum with Napoleon's tomb)
- Musée des Plans-Reliefs (Museum of Military Models)
- Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération (Museum of the Order of the Liberation)
- National Museum Eugène Delacroix
- Musée National Gustave Moreau (Gustave Moreau National Museum)
- Musée de la Cinémathèque (Cinema Museum)
- Musée National de l'histoire de l'Immigration (National Museum of Immigration History)
- Musée National des Arts Asiatiques – Guimet (Guimet National Museum of Asian Art)
- Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine (Museum of Architecture & French Monuments)
- Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (Paris Science Museum)
- Musée de la Musique (Music Museum)
Please note that the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, Grand Palais, the catacombs, and some other attractions are not included in the Paris Museum Pass.
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Paris Pass cost
The Paris Pass is a digital tourism pass that gives you entry to more than 50 museums and attractions in Paris. The pass is made up of two components: the Paris Museum Pass and the Paris Sightseeing Pass. The former gives you entry to 50+ museums in Paris, while the latter covers activities such as an Eiffel Tower guided climb, walking tours, a Seine boat cruise, a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour, and wine tastings.
The Paris Pass does not include airport transportation. However, it does include the Paris Visite Pass (Travelcard), which offers unlimited travel in central Paris on the Métro, buses, trams, and RER/SNCF (overground trains).
The Paris Pass comes in four configurations:
- 2 Days: €179 (€89/day)
- 3 Days: €214 (€71/day)
- 4 Days: €254 (€64/day)
- 6 Days: €299 (€50/day)
The pass is valid for two years from the purchase date, and there is an option to get a full refund within 30 days of the purchase date if the pass is non-activated.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Paris Visite travel pass includes transport to and from Charles de Gaulle Airport. You can buy the pass for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days.
The Greater Paris Area ticket, which includes transport to and from the airport, costs around €75 for 5 days. The Paris Only ticket, which doesn't include airport transfers, costs under €44 for 5 days.
You can take a bus, rideshare, taxi or private transfer.