Getting around in Paris for Seniors

I was last in Paris when I was 78 and have never, in any visit, felt uncomfortable. I travel solo. I just follow the same precautions I do in any big city. Things like not putting your purse on the back of your chair or just laying your phone on the table in a restaurant or putting your phone or wallet in your back pocket or daypack. I also wear a money belt so that if my purse was grabbed they'd be very disappointed with the contents. I keep 1 credit card & money for the day in an inside zip pocket of my favorite travel jacket. I've used all kinds of transportation: bus, metro and taxis. I used G7 to get that taxi. Finally, I've used the city mapper app to get around. Relax, have a great time in one of world's most beautiful cities.

The key to avoiding pickpockets or theft is to just not carry valuables. Theft can occur anytime, anywhere; but most often in crowded locations when there are plenty of people around.

I either walk or take the métro, but you can also use the bus. If you are returning really late, consider using Taxi G7, or any of the VTCs (Uber, FreeNow, or Bolt).

I'm in my 80s and spend a few weeks in Paris every year and travel a lot on public transport; we use the metros almost exclusively -- but we realize that when the knees go we may need to switch to buses. We attend operas, shop and visit museums some of which are crowded. I have never been pickpocketed in Paris, mainly because I do not have valuables in pockets and my small cross body purse is easy to put my hand on in crowded spaces.

Pickpockets are not muggers; they are not 'dangerous'. Almost always you are unaware they have stolen from you until you discover things missing. So keep valuables in the hotel safe and only carry what you need -- one card, one ID, a little cash and carry it so it is not easily accessed. For guys it might be a neck wallet you wear under your shirt -- for women a small cross body purse.

We will go to the opera twice in this upcoming trip at Bastille and our apartment rental is in Batignolles on the opposite side of town -- we will take the metro at 11 pm or later. 11 pm is not 'late' in Paris, the metro is full of people, the streets are full of people -- it is not unsafe. (and your greatest risk of pickpockets will be at the Musee d'Orsay or Louvre in the afternoon -- pickpockets like to go home for the evening too.). the only time we use cabs is to and from the airport or if going to a train station with luggage.

We also like to walk at night -- the city is beautiful. It is a little over a mile from our friend's place in Montmartre to our rental In Batignolles and on a nice night we will walk; if the weather is less wonderful we take a bus or the metro.

If you are worried about your phone consider a lanyard. At home or in Paris my phone is in a Bandolier phone case which has a small leather envelope/purse attached for my keys cash and DL for ID and in Paris my metro pass. It is worn on a leather cross body strap. It is convenient not just because it isn't easily snatched but it means I don't leave it on a cafe table where there is a higher chance of someone grabbing it or just losing it. I use it for convenience not just because it is safer. https://www.bandolierstyle.com This brand is pricey -- it was a gift from my husband several years ago; there are plenty of much cheaper brands that accomplish the same thing. And traveling there are many ways to lose your phone -- pickpocketing is probably the least likely.

Paris is a very safe city. Public transport is safe. Unlike any city in the US your odds of violent crime are low and of getting shot almost non existent. Pickpockets are the only real threat and with minor precautions i.e. not being a walking buffet, you don't have to worry about them.

Take these minor precautions and enjoy this lovely city.

My last 2 trips to Paris I traveled alone, most recently in April. I feel perfectly safe taking bus, metro or walking at night in Paris. 11 pm is not late in the city. With many people not dining until 9 pm or later, the city will be filled with people at midnight.

Follow Laurie Beth's advice regarding securing your "stuff".

Depending on the restaurant, I would consider taking the bus back to your hotel to see the city lit up at night.

That would be an enjoyable walk, 2.3 kilometres or about 1.3 miles through a nice area. Or it’s direct on the metro 6 from Bir Hakeim, an above ground station with an escalator up to the platform—I think. It’s a very nice ride. You might change your mind about cities after this walk or ride.

FYI: I don’t allow quality jewelry to be visible any time I’m in a public space such as transport, park, even a museum. It’s out of sight one way or another.

Use the G7 Paris taxi app and use a bandoiier type lanyard for your phone. I dare you to not fall in love with large city Paris!

Taxis won’t break your budget and will give you peace of mind

I’m sure the restaurant staff would call a taxi for you.
Doesn’t hurt to ask.
Print the question in French on a card to show them.

This time in Paris in July I used primarily the Metro, the buses hardly relative to last summer since in Paris and Paris Est street work changed the site of certain bus stops. It's easy getting around using the Metro with the Navigo card. I carry 3 of them, 2 for active use, the other in reserve. Load them up and you're set. The cards always work when being scanned.

I don't use BOLT Uber or anything like that. Basically, I get around Paris using all public transport, day or night, the RER B to / from the airport.

I'm in my mid-70s , alone in Paris, and I do take the usual security measures (the hidden pock, neck pouch), along with wearing the waist belt just below the belt, even though I've been told that is a sure fast way of setting yourself up as easily being picked or robbed....not interested, other than that I'm not interested at all about the pickpocket problem, not concerned about it. Being picked and a victim , relieving me of my assets not going to happen.

The bad guys can target me as a potential victim (so what?) as did these 2 women this time in the Anvers Metro station (not surprising really). Did they succeed, did they get anything? Of course not, they got nothing at all.

Bottom line: I find using public transport an effective and reliable way of getting around, be it in the single digit districts, eg, the 5th, 7, 1st, and 2nd. I saw a great of the those areas this time, plus going out to the 14th, 20, 19, 10, 17 by bus quite a lot.

Do you have access to public transportation at home? I think most of us that use Paris public transportation have had experience in other cities so there are some basic similarities and an added level of comfort. We’re older but continue to find Paris public transportation an easy option and have never had an issue any time of day. We’ve used G7 and this last trip we used UBER, both successfully.

I do watch YouTube videos before a trip, especially for using the public transport ticket machines, so that my jet-lagged brain doesn’t derail my plan.

I was just in Paris and will note that some of the metro stations have a LOT of stairs which felt like a trek even for my 20 year old niece. The CityMapper app has a button you can push that shows "step free" and "walk less" options. The app also tells you specifically which metro platform to go to and which exit from the station is best to get where you are going (note: works even better when you actually follow the instructions!) We had Navigo Easy cards and refilled them as needed - 2,50 Euro per trip. And there are attendants at stations if you have troubles - we had one that would not let us tap in and the nice person said the gate was broken (but not labeled as out of order) and kindly gave us an old school paper ticket to go on our way.

I used the G7 app to get taxis - easy peasy, though I would advise setting up the app before you need to use it as my first payment method didn't work for some reason. You can track your driver in the app so you know who to look for.

I don't have big city transit where I live either, but I found plenty of online resources to help learn the system. Just make sure they're relatively recent so it covers the Navigo cards. If you're only there for a couple of days and taking minimal trips, taxi may be the way to go.

Thanks, CL. I didn't know about those options and I will certainly take advantage of them when next traveling.

Several Youtube videos show how to use the Metro. I found the ones by LES FRENCHIES to be especially informative.

One of our group of 4 came up lame (heel spur) while in France this May. I removed the Metro from our "getting about" plans and defaulted to taxi via G7. Used taxis to starting and from ending points during our days of sightseeing. Absolutely easy to use the app and a 15-20 Euro cab ride likely won't break the bank. Managed to confine most of our extensive walking to level ground so that she could manage.

Also have used the Metro extensively, never felt unsafe (well there was that trip back to CDG at 2 AM one Saturday night!). Just button everything up as Rick recommends and go about your way.

Hello,
My senior in-laws who have mobility issues used Uber and the Free now rideshare app in Paris to get around and it was just fine. No need to tip. They also used some buses as well. Paris is safe and the area near the Arc (17th arrondissment) is a very nice posh area-my actual favorite to stay in-just know on the metro there are teams of pickpockets on there and one will try to distract you while the other robs you-as long as you are aware of this you will be fine.
Enjoy, Paris is amazing!