How to Travel Safely in Paris: Practical Guide for 2026
Paris is a safe city for most travellers who follow simple habits: watch your bags on the metro and at busy sights, take only official taxis from a rank or a driver you booked, and plan late-night trips. Paris Cab Service offers pre-booked transfers at a fixed price, from €65 between CDG or Orly and central Paris.
- Public transport: keep bags closed and in front of you
- Airports: refuse ride offers inside the arrivals hall
- Cabs: official taxi rank or a pre-booked driver with a name sign
- Night: plan your return trip before going out
- Emergency: dial 112 anywhere in the European Union
Is Paris safe for tourists?
Yes, Paris is generally safe for tourists. The main risk for visitors is petty theft, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, rather than violent crime.
A few habits prevent most problems: keep valuables out of sight, carry only the cash and cards you need, and leave your passport in the hotel safe with a copy on your phone.
How do you stay safe on the Paris metro and RER?
To stay safe on the metro and RER, keep your bag closed and in front of you, and stay alert near the doors.
- Pickpockets often act when doors open or close, then step off the train.
- Do not keep a phone or wallet in a back pocket.
- Be wary of people who crowd you at ticket machines or offer unrequested help.
- With heavy luggage, avoid the busiest rush hours where you can.
Where are pickpockets most common in Paris?
Pickpockets are most common wherever crowds and tourists meet. That includes busy metro lines, the large railway stations, the trains to and from the airports, and the areas around the most famous monuments and museums.
Watch out in queues, on crowded viewpoints and on café terraces, where a phone left on the table is an easy target. Petitions, "found" rings and friendship bracelets are common distraction tricks.
How do you avoid unofficial taxis at Paris airports?
To avoid unofficial taxis, ignore anyone who offers a ride inside the terminal and go only to the marked taxi rank outside, or meet a driver you booked in advance.
Official Paris taxis have a roof light and a meter, and charge a regulated flat fare between Paris and CDG or Orly. A pre-booked driver waits with a sign showing your name, at a price fixed before you travel. Read more in our guide to how a private pickup at CDG works.
How do you get back safely late at night in Paris?
The safest way back late at night is to plan the trip before you go out: check your route, or book a car for a set time.
Stay on busy, well-lit streets, keep your phone charged, and agree with your group where to meet. After a late flight, a driver who tracks your flight saves you from looking for transport in a quiet terminal.
What should you do if something goes wrong in Paris?
If something goes wrong, dial 112, the European emergency number, which works from any phone. For a theft, report it at a police station to get a written record for your insurer.
If your passport is lost or stolen, contact your embassy or consulate in Paris for an emergency travel document.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to take the RER B from CDG airport?
The RER B between Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) and central Paris is used by many travellers every day and is generally safe. Keep luggage in sight, bags closed and valuables out of reach. Late in the evening or with children and heavy bags, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is more comfortable.
How can I recognise an official Paris taxi?
An official Paris taxi has a roof sign that lights up when it is free, a meter inside, and the driver's licence details displayed in the car. At airports, official taxis wait at the marked rank outside the terminal, never inside the arrivals hall.
Are pre-booked private drivers safe in Paris?
Pre-booked private drivers in Paris are a safe option because the trip is recorded before you travel: you know the price, the pickup time and the meeting point in advance. With Paris Cab Service, the driver waits in arrivals with a name sign, at a fixed price.
What should I do if my passport is stolen in Paris?
If your passport is stolen in Paris, report the theft at a police station and keep the written report. Then contact your embassy or consulate, which can issue an emergency travel document. A photo or copy of your passport speeds up the process.
Is it safe to walk around Paris at night?
Walking around central Paris at night is generally safe on busy, well-lit streets. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep your phone and wallet out of sight, avoid empty stations and deserted areas, and plan how you will get back to your hotel before you go out.
Book a safe ride in Paris
For a fixed price and a driver waiting for you, book a transfer such as CDG to Paris or Orly to Paris online in about 2 minutes. To compare taxis, ride-hailing apps and transfers, read our guide to private taxis in Paris.