6 toolkit entries now include sourced visitor checks for phone, payment, identity, language, setup and coverage. Unchecked tools are labelled honestly.
Your existing Uber account works overseas without changing its country setting; verify the saved card before pickup.
Aggregates licensed taxis.
Not yet traveler-checkedOfficial metro / RER / bus app — buy tickets in-app.
Plan routes and buy supported Paris-region tickets in an official reseller app; phone-as-ticket depends on NFC/device compatibility.
Region-wide routing and tickets; compatible iPhone and NFC Android devices can now validate directly.
Not yet traveler-checkedParis's dock-based bike-share.
Not yet traveler-checkedE-bikes & scooters.
Not yet traveler-checkedE-bikes; scooters were banned in Paris in 2023.
Not yet traveler-checkedCity-center staple.
Not yet traveler-checkedSmall-format, everywhere in Paris.
Not yet traveler-checkedContactless is king; carry a little cash for small cafés & bakeries.
Use the supported card already in your Wallet wherever contactless is accepted; your own bank controls overseas fees and approvals.
France's peer-to-peer payment app (the local Venmo).
Not yet traveler-checkedLocal options: Orange Holiday, Free Mobile, SFR.
Buy and install it on stable Wi-Fi before flying; it connects only once you reach the plan's coverage area.
✅ Unlike the UAE, WhatsApp voice & video calls work normally here.
Widely used; calls unrestricted.
Your existing account works normally for chat and calls in France; no local number is needed to contact hosts or drivers.
Six concrete setup decisions for Paris. No fake personalization—just the local default, the local caveat, and what to do before day one gets expensive.
Mark only what you have actually set up. Progress stays in this browser.
Set up data before you need a ride, ticket, map, or verification code.
Local options: Orange Holiday, Free Mobile, SFR.
Know the local default before accepting a taxi quote or opening a global app.
Open the ride-hailing channel for the local options and caveats.
Compare the official airport-to-city option before paying for a car.
Official metro / RER / bus app — buy tickets in-app.
Open the map that works best locally and save your hotel or first stop.
Open the navigation channel for the local options and caveats.
Check the local card, cash, and wallet reality before your first purchase.
Contactless is king; carry a little cash for small cafés & bakeries.
Use the service locals answer—and note any calling or registration restriction.
Widely used; calls unrestricted. ✅ Unlike the UAE, WhatsApp voice & video calls work normally here.
This is an arrival checklist, not an app ranking. Open the full local toolkit below for alternatives, coverage limits, and services you may need later.
Choose the airport and the thing that matters most. The route order changes from sourced pickup, fare, service-hour, and payment facts—not a generic travel ranking.
CDG 1 station serves T1/T3 via CDGVAL; CDG 2–TGV serves terminals 2A–2G.
CDG → Gare du Nord / Châtelet / Denfert
Most central stays without heavy luggage
Where to goT2: follow Paris by Train to CDG 2–TGV. T1/T3: use CDGVAL to the CDG 1 station.
How to payLoad the airport ticket on a supported phone or Navigo Easy pass before entering the gates.
First moveIdentify your terminal, then follow Paris by Train / RER B signs—not generic shuttle signs.
WatchPlanned works can close sections, especially late and on summer weekends. Check live service before committing.
Signed taxi rank → Paris
Door-to-door, late arrival, families, or several passengers
Where to goFollow TAXIS signs to the official rank outside Arrivals.
How to payThe airport-to-Paris fare is fixed; confirm your bank side before departure and request a receipt.
First moveIgnore anyone soliciting inside the terminal and queue only at the signed official rank.
WatchThe fixed fare applies to a direct journey between CDG and Paris proper; booking supplements can apply.
Local tender, realistic foreign-currency acceptance, and a daily USD reference before a terminal or exchange desk chooses the rate for you.
Reference only. Your bank, card network, ATM, or exchange counter may add fees or use a different rate.
The normal currency for prices and payment.
Cards and contactless are widely accepted. Keep a little euro cash for small vendors, markets, or minimum-card rules.
Country payment guidance reviewed Jul 21, 2026