by Introduction
Touching down in Paris should feel effortless, not stressful. With the right taxi apps in Paris, you can glide from airport to arrondissement without overpaying or waiting in endless lines. In this guide, you’ll learn which apps work best (Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW, G7, Heetch, LeCab, Marcel), when to use each, how to dodge tourist traps, and the smartest ways to save time and money. Let’s map your options and help you ride like a local.
The best Taxi apps in Paris at a glance
Global players: Uber and Bolt
– Uber and Bolt cover the city and airports, with quick ETAs in central districts.
– Strong for English-speaking support, in-app chat, and multiple payment methods (Apple Pay, cards).
– `surge pricing` can spike at peak times. Compare both apps before confirming.
Quick tip
– Keep both apps on your phone to cross-check price and wait time in seconds.
Aggregators and hybrids: FREE NOW
– FREE NOW mixes licensed taxis and `VTC` (private-hire) drivers, often yielding the fastest pickup in busy areas.
– Transparent pricing: you’ll see whether it’s meter-based taxi or fixed-price VTC before booking.
– Solid for business receipts and pre-booking.
Local specialists: G7, Heetch, LeCab, Marcel
– G7: Paris’s largest taxi network with reliable coverage, pro drivers, and options like G7 Green and G7 Access (wheelchair-accessible). See fleet details on the G7 official site.
– Heetch: Late-night friendly, popular with younger locals, often competitive in outer districts.
– LeCab: French VTC with pro service and pre-booking.
– Marcel: Eco-focused VTC with a large hybrid/EV fleet.
Data point
– Official taxis offer fixed fares to/from the airports (no surcharges): CDG Right Bank €53, Left Bank €58; Orly Right Bank €37, Left Bank €32. Confirm on Paris Aéroport’s official taxi fares.
Pricing, wait times, and when each app wins
Typical price ranges you’ll see
– Intra-city (3–6 km): €10–€20 off-peak; €18–€30 at peak/demand spikes.
– CDG to central Paris: Taxi flat fare €53–€58. Uber/Bolt often €45–€90 depending on traffic and `surge pricing`.
– Orly to central Paris: Taxi flat fare €32–€37. Ride-hail apps often €30–€60.
> The airport taxi flat fares are predictable and immune to surge. If app prices look high, walk to the official taxi rank and take the flat fare.
Case study: CDG at 18:30 on a weekday
– Uber/Bolt: €65–€85 (traffic + surge likely), ETA 5–10 minutes.
– G7 taxi at the rank: €53/€58 flat, usually short queue, no baggage surcharge.
– Takeaway: If your app quote is €70+, use the taxi flat fare.
Wait times and coverage patterns
– Central arrondissements (1–11): ETAs often 2–6 minutes on Uber/Bolt/FREE NOW/G7.
– Outer arrondissements and suburbs: Heetch and Bolt may show shorter ETAs late at night.
– Morning and evening peaks, plus rain, increase ETAs and prices across all apps.
Mistakes to avoid
– Booking from just inside busy venues. Step 50–100 meters away for faster pickups.
– Relying on one app. Cross-check quickly; prices and ETAs vary minute by minute.
When each app wins
– Best for predictable airport fares: Official taxis via rank or G7 pre-booked (flat fares).
– Best for late-night in outer districts: Heetch or Bolt for coverage and price.
– Best for family extras (child seat, van): G7 options, FREE NOW for multi-seat categories.
– Best for eco rides: Marcel or G7 Green.
Airport, late-night, and group travel playbooks
Airport arrivals: CDG and Orly
– Ignore unsolicited drivers inside the terminal; they’re illegal and can be risky. Use the signed taxi ranks or your app’s pickup zones. Paris Aéroport warns against solicitors on its official pages.
– For CDG, follow signs to “Taxi” for the fixed fare, or use Uber/Bolt/FREE NOW to designated pickup points (apps show the lettered door/level).
– If traveling with 3–4 people plus luggage, compare the taxi flat fare vs. an XL category in-app. Taxi may win on cost and convenience.
H4: Pre-trip checklist
– Add a backup card to each app.
– Enable roaming/data or download offline maps.
– Screenshot your hotel address.
Late-night and weekend strategies
– After 23:00, metro service is limited; apps become essential.
– Heetch and Bolt often have strong late-night coverage; FREE NOW can surface available taxis quickly.
– If surge spikes above 1.7x, try:
1) Checking a second app.
2) Walking two blocks to a less busy pickup.
3) Waiting 5–10 minutes for demand to cool.
Group travel and special needs
– Vans/XL: Use Uber Van/XL, G7 Van, or FREE NOW large-capacity categories.
– Wheelchair access: G7 Access specializes in WAVs; pre-book when possible.
– Child seats: Options are limited on some platforms; G7 and LeCab offer better availability with advance booking.
Practical example: Family of four to the Louvre
– G7 Van with child seat pre-booked: predictable and direct.
– Uber/Bolt XL: good alternative, but confirm seat options in-app.
– FREE NOW: check both taxi and VTC categories for best ETA.
Safety, etiquette, and money-saving strategies
Safety and legality essentials
– Official taxis and licensed `VTC` are regulated in France. Learn the difference via the French government’s VTC overview.
– At airports, only take official taxis from marked ranks or rides booked in-app. See the warning on Paris Aéroport’s official taxi page.
– Share your trip status with a friend via the app, especially late at night.
Payment, receipts, and tipping norms
– All major apps accept cards and mobile wallets. Taxis accept cards by law.
– Tipping is optional; locals often round up or add 5–10% for great service.
– Always request a receipt (digital in-app or printed in taxis).
H4: Business traveler best practices
– Use FREE NOW or G7 for clear VAT invoices and pre-booking.
– Save profiles for work vs. personal cards.
Proven ways to save time and money
– Compare two apps before confirming. Small differences add up fast.
– For airports, default to flat-fare taxis when surge is high.
– Pin your exact doorway for faster pickups. Add a note if the entrance is tricky.
– Avoid very short trips during peak hours; walk or take metro to sidestep surge.
Common pitfalls to avoid
– Accepting rides from unlicensed solicitors inside terminals.
– Entering a wrong pickup pin and incurring a no-show fee.
– Ignoring traffic windows: depart 15–30 minutes earlier to beat price spikes.
Integrate with other transport like a local
– For mid-day hops in the center, metro is often faster and cheaper than any car. Use our insider tips for using the Paris Metro to combine metro and rides smartly.
– For airport transfers at odd hours, see our complete guide to Charles de Gaulle transfers.
Conclusion
Paris is easier when you match the trip to the tool. Use ride-hailing for speed, taxis for airport flat fares, and metro for quick daytime hops. Keep two apps installed, compare before you confirm, and avoid solicitors by sticking to official ranks and in-app pickups. Follow these steps and you’ll make Taxi apps in Paris work for your schedule and budget. Ready to set up your apps and bookmark the airport flat fares?
FAQ
Q: Which app is cheapest in Paris?
A: It varies. Compare Uber, Bolt, and FREE NOW; prices change with demand.
Q: Are airport taxis cheaper than Uber?
A: Often, yes during surge. The taxi flat fare is fixed and reliable.
Q: Do taxis take cards?
A: Yes, by law. All major apps and taxis accept cards and mobile wallets.
Q: Is tipping required?
A: No. Rounding up or adding 5–10% for great service is appreciated.
