Taxis in Paris and other Warnings or Dangers

Paris is one of the safest cities in the world but sometimes travelers tend to become blasé about safety matters in a new city especially at night. Stay safe when traveling with these tips.

It's always dangerous to take an unmarked or unofficial taxi, no matter where you are in the world. Always take a regular taxi that has a light on top of the car saying Taxi Parisien and a cab number. Official taxis have meters and you pay them according to the meters. If you are staying at a hotel, they will call for a taxi which is even safer.

Whether you are leaving the airport or trying to get back to it, getting a cab will take a while. There seems to be a real shortage of taxi cabs in Paris. Reserve a taxi the night before or ask your hotel to reserve a cab for you so that you can get back to the airport or wherever you're going on time.

Taxi drivers absolutely hate taking you to a hotel at the La Defense complex. There are a number of hotels there, and some brands have more than one establishment at La Defense.

La Defense lies beyond the central area and is not included in whatever passes as exams for Parisien taxi drivers. Finding your way around the area is very complex, irritating, and downright frustrating. Like a giant Rubik's Cube, the roads weave in and out and over each other, diving underground, doing a quick pirouette before exiting into daylight again. Everywhere seems to look the same at that subterranean level.

Editor's Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about taxis in Paris.