Taxi and Cabs in Paris
How to Order a Cab in Paris
Ah, Paris! The city of love! The city of lights! And quite possibly, the city with an exorbitant number of taxis! You might be humming La Vie En Rose in a cute Parisian café one moment, and the next, might realize it's time to dash for a quick rendezvous with the majestic Eiffel Tower. Fear not my fellow adventurers, calling for a cab in Paris is a piece of cake, even easier than pronouncing "croissant" with the right accent!
There are a few different ways to hail a cab. You could ring a Paris cab company (like Taxi G7 or Alpha Taxis) and book a ride. Although, do keep in mind that if your grasp of the French language is as loose as mine on a buttery croissant, it might take a moment or two to get your message across! Alternatively, you could book from their websites.
Then, there are the standbys – Uber and Bolt. The international bigwigs are widely used in Paris and perform reliably well, with the added advantage of tracking your taxi in real-time. Accepted, blessed, and renowned internationally, these apps are a simple tap away on your smartphone. Fear not, credit card owners, both your Euros and cards are welcome on these platforms!
Where to Find a Taxi in Paris
Finding a taxi in Paris is slightly easier than finding a reasonably priced glass of champagne. Paris is fairly brimming over with taxi stations, identifiable by an adorable 'TAXI' sign, and can be found, quite literally, on nearly every corner!
The fun doesn't end here though - ensuring you nab one of these chariots at peak times can feel somewhat like playing an unplanned game of 'capture the flag'. The secret is to keep an eagle-like vigil for their roof signs. If the sign is lit up, the taxi’s available!
Then there's Uber and Bolt, the techie route. Just enter your location in the app and voila, a chauffeur-driven vehicle is on its way to chauffeur you through the City of Lights!
How Much Does a Paris Taxi Cost
If you're wondering how much it'll set you back to gallivant around Paris in a taxi, allow me to shed some light. Depending on traffic and the distance to your destination, a Parisian taxi ride could cost anywhere from €7 to €70. The base fare starts around €2.60, with an additional €1.29 per km. The prices though, my friends, have the audacity to jump after sunset till sunrise, with a slight increase on Sundays and public holidays too. Do remember to factor these into your budget alongside your croissants and café au laits!
Uber and Bolt want a slice of this pie too! Their rates depend on factors like demand, route, and time of day. Uber typically gives a fare estimate when you book, helping you avoid any unsightly surprises later.
As for tipping your drivers, Paris doesn't have stern tipping regulations. A simple rounding up of the fare or a tip of around 10% is generally a safe bet, if the service was satisfying.
Safety, my dear travel aficionados, shouldn’t be shrugged off like an unwanted beggar on a busy street. Most taxis are generally safe, but like with anything, keeping a sharp eye never hurts. Always ensure the meter is running to avoid being, pardon my French, bamboozled!
So there you go, enjoy your ride around the enchanting boulevards of Paris. Embrace the adventure, breathe in the romance, and put these insights into place. Paris is ready, are you?