If you're visiting Paris and wondering whether to take an Uber or a taxi, you're not alone.
Actually, Uber's story famously started in 2009 when the founders, visiting Paris, struggled to find a taxi. That experience sparked the idea for the ride-sharing giant, which launched shortly after — and today, Uber operates widely across Paris.
In this article, we’ll draw the comparison between Uber and Taxis, as they are the biggest providers, even though there are several other ridesharing services such as Bolt, Caocao or private services.
How does Uber work in Paris?
Uber offers a full range of services in Paris, from Lime bikes to Uber Eats, and of course, ride-hailing. When ordering a car, pay close attention to the pick-up location as drivers aren't allowed to stop just anywhere, especially not in bus lanes or at bus stops. I recommend choosing smaller side streets rather than busy boulevards for a smoother pick-up.
Otherwise, the service works really well, apart from occasional price surges during major events, near concert venues, during Fashion Week, or on rainy days.
How do Taxis work in Paris?
You can hail taxis directly from the street if their rooftop light is green, indicating they're available. A red light means they're occupied. You’ll also find designated taxi stands throughout the city — simply search for 'Taxi Stand' on Google Maps to locate the nearest one.
By law, taxis must accept credit cards and use the meter, except for airport rides, where a flat rate applies. You can find more information about airport taxi prices here.
Personally, I always confirm whether they accept cards before getting in, as some drivers can still be a little reluctant.
What are the advantages of taking an Uber?
You know the fare upfront, no communication issue for the adress, and they won’t drive in circles around town to increase the fare.
What are the advantages of taking a taxi?
During rush hour or major events like Fashion Week, Paris traffic can become gridlocked. Taxis have a key advantage: they are allowed to use bus lanes, which can help bypass some of the congestion; something Uber drivers and other private services cannot do.
Typical rush hours in Paris are:
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM (morning commute)
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (evening commute)
If you're in a hurry to reach the airport or a train station during these times, a taxi is often the better choice.
The best of both worlds: You can book a taxi through Uber, too!
Recently, Uber added taxis to its app in Paris. When ordering, simply scroll past the usual UberX and van options, and you'll see the Taxi category.
There are two different types of taxis on the Uber app. Here’s a breakdown:
- Taxi (fixed price) = the cost is shown upfront and doesn’t change, like in a classic Uber ride.
- Taxi (metered price) = the price is based on distance and time, using the traditional taxi meter.
If you are familiar with Uber, you will not be surprised.
What Does It Cost?
For a short 3 km ride (about 2 miles) that takes roughly 8 minutes:
- Uber: ~20€
- Taxi (fixed price): ~25€
- Taxi (metered price): 21€ to 28€
In general, Uber tends to be cheaper, but the price difference is often small.
So, Uber or Taxi?
Here’s the bottom line:
- You want to use a familiar app: you can use Uber like you do back at home
- It’s rush hour and you want to skip traffic: get a Taxi. And you can book it on the Uber app
Whether you swipe or wave, Paris makes it easy to get there—so sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!
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