Is it safe to walk in Paris in the night?

Question

I have to stay one night in Paris? How to get to the centre from the airport? Is it worth? Any tips?

Answer 1

i recommend you not to walk outside at night, especially if you are a white woman.

and i've been living in paris for 20years.

Answer 2

It depends on how late you'd be arriving and how long you'd really be staying in the city.  If fairly early in the evening, you could take the RER into the city.  It takes about 45 minutes and costs about 9 euros (at least it did last time I was there, about 18 months ago).  I would take the Air France bus back to the airport, though, if you're going to be going back fairly late.  

Paris as a whole is very safe.  You'll be in the tourist areas most likely, where there will typically be lots of people.  Just keep an eye or preferably a hand on your belongings at all times.  

I've ridden the Metro by myself as late as midnight, and walked from Chatelet-Les Halles to the apartment where I was staying (about 6 blocks away).  It was a bit nerve-racking, but everything turned out just fine.

Answer 3

Jamie........ no  im afraid you are wrong. Paris is not as dangerous as any other city, you are telling me that Paris is like, Detroit, London, St. Louis, Istanbul etc. where you are likely to get shot or stabbed when in the wrong place.

Paris is very very safe.

Answer 4

Paris is as safe and as dangerous as any other city.

Stick to well lit places,and don't go down dark alleyways and you'll be fine!

For directions try Multimap (address given below )

Hope that helps!

enjoy your time there!

Answer 5

o ya

Answer 6

Depends on what part of Paris you are in...I was in a sketchy part with one friend (2 girls alone), nothing happened, but it was scary, and there were definitely sketchy characters hanging about.  We finally found a cab because we were so lost, and in the wrong part of town.

I definitely wouldn't walk around many cities alone at night, not even here in Switzerland where the crime rate is pratically zero.  But if you must, then my best advice is to be aware of your surroundings.

Answer 7

Paris is super safe and it's very beautiful at night! (especially the eiffel tower!) =)

Answer 8

I lived in Paris for 2 1/2 years as a single woman and I walked around alone at night. I also worked at the airport. I've also lived in several big cities, including New York, San Francisco, Hong Kong and London.

Of course, like anywhere, I was aware of my surroundings and avoided certain areas at night. In the daytime, there are virtually no areas of Paris completely off-limits (at least where there is of any interest to go). The worst areas are actually outside of the city limits. They cleverly shifted the really dire housing projects to the outskirts.

I did take the Métro at night, but again, only to and from certain areas. It runs late, till 1 or 2 am. I do suggest you avoid the RER at night if possible. This is the system that serves the suburbs, among which are the areas I did mention above. The trains tend to be bigger, the stations more remote and you could end up getting lost most easily on the RER, unless you know it well.

At work, they recommended that we take the Air France bus rather than the RER to work. Not that it passed really bad areas but both the RER and the Métro tend to be pickpocket havens. The Air France bus is only slightly more expensive but the passengers are all going directly to and from the airport. I had at least three coworkers' passports lifted on the RER (and it's that they want more than your cash). They get on, nip your stuff and get off at the next station before you're even aware. The Air France passengers will obviously be either going to work and/or flying. Big groups of loud teenagers or dodgy looking characters will probably not be welcomed.

I also recommend the AF bus over a cab, even an official one. Sometimes there can be language issues with them. I already spoke French before moving to Paris (had lived elsewhere in France) and they "misunderstood" where I was going a lot. I think it was a ruse to send me on wild goose chases. It happpened less when I told them right away that I lived in the 17th and gave them directions there. At least if you take a cab within Paris, they can't go too far out of the way but between the airport and downtown, they could get "creative".

A few months ago there was a Swedish girl murdered outside of Paris. Apparently, official cabs are expensive there and it's normal to take an unofficial one. This is dangerous and not recommended in Paris, and what this poor girl had done. You can clearly see which ones are legit and don't go near one that isn't. They apparently hang out near discos.

Be wary of "too friendly" people, cross the street if you don't like what's going on and at least pretend to call on your cell phone, or better, get out, if you see something you don't like.

Good luck and have a good time. You're much safer than elsewhere!