Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in this chapter. To order a taxi in English, call 01 41 27 66 99, or ask your hotelier for help.
When you summon a taxi by phone, the meter starts running as soon as the call is received,
often adding €6 or more to the bill.
Taxis are tough to find during rush hour, when it's raining, on weekend nights, or on
any night after the Métro closes (Sun-Thu at 24:30, Fri-Sat at 2:00 in the morning). If you
need to catch a train or flight early in the morning, book a taxi the day before (especially
for weekday departures). Some taxi companies require a €5 reservation fee by credit card
for weekday morning rush-hour departures (7:00-10:00) and only have a limited number of
reservation spots.
By Bike
Paris is surprisingly easy by bicycle. The city is flat, and riders have access to more than
370miles ofbike lanes andthe many priority lanes forbusesandtaxis (thoughbecareful on
these).IbikedalongtheriverfromNotre-DametotheEiffelTowerin15wonderfullyscenic
minutes.
Urban bikers will find Paris a breeze. First-timers will get the hang of it quickly enough
by following some simple rules. Always stay to the right in your lane, bike single-file, stay
offsidewalks,watchoutforopeningdoorsonparkedcars,signalwithyourarmbeforemak-
ing turns, and use bike paths when available. Obey the traffic laws as if you were driving
a car. Parisians use the same road rules as Americans, with two exceptions: When passing
vehicles or other bikes, always pass on the left (it's illegal to pass on the right); and where
thereisnostoplight,alwaysyieldtotrafficmergingfromtheright,evenifyou'reonamajor
road and the merging driver is on a side street. You'll find a bell on your bike; use it like a
horn to warn pedestrians who don't see you.
The TIs have a helpful “Paris à Vélo” map, which shows all the dedicated bike paths.
Manyotherversionsareavailableforsaleatnewsstandkiosks,somebookstores,anddepart-
ment stores.
Renting a Bike:
The following rental companies offer organized bike tours as well
(see “Tours in Paris—Tour by Bike, Segway, or Pedicab” later).
Bike About Tours
is your
best bet for bike rental. Some of their units are foldable, which allows you to collapse
your bike and jump on the Métro if the weather turns bad or if you get tired (€15/day
during office hours, €20/24 hours; includes locks, helmets, and comfy gel seats; daily
mid-Feb-Dec 9:00-18:00, closed Dec-mid-Feb; shop located near Hôtel de Ville in Vinci
parking garage—see map on
here
,
Mo: Hôtel de Ville,
www.bikeabouttours.com
,
info@bikeabouttours.com
).
Fat Tire Bike Tours
has a limited supply of bikes for rent, so
call ahead to check availability (€4/hour, €25/24 hours, includes helmets and locks, credit-
card imprint required for deposit, ask about rental discount with this topic; office open
daily 9:00-18:30, May-Aug bike rental only after 11:30 as priority is given to those tak-
