Visiting Paris with a baby or toddler is one of the most rewarding family experiences you can have. The City of Light offers stunning parks, world-class museums with family programs, and a café culture that genuinely welcomes little ones. But there is one challenge that catches almost every parent off guard: transportation.
Unlike many US cities where you simply buckle your child into your own car, getting around Paris with an infant or toddler requires some planning — especially when it comes to car seats, strollers on public transit, and airport transfers after a long transatlantic flight.
This guide covers everything you need to know to move around Paris safely and stress-free with your youngest travelers.
The Car Seat Situation in Paris: What Every Parent Needs to Know
French law requires children under 10 to ride in an approved child restraint system in all vehicles. This applies to private cars, rental cars, and ride-hailing services like Uber or Bolt. The only exception is licensed taxis, which are legally exempt from this requirement under Article R412-2 of the French Highway Code — though most pediatric safety experts strongly advise against holding a child on your lap in any moving vehicle.
Here is where it gets tricky for tourists. Standard Uber and Bolt rides in Paris do not come equipped with car seats. Unlike some US cities where Uber offers a "Car Seat" option, this service is not available in France. If you order a regular ride, you will either need to bring your own car seat or risk having no safe restraint for your child.
This leaves families with a few options:
1. Bring your own travel car seat from home
2. Rent a car seat upon arrival (limited availability and logistics hassle)
3. Book a private car service that provides car seats as part of the ride
Families who want the convenience of a door-to-door service with car seats already installed increasingly turn to specialized family transport providers. Services like Lajoieway (https://www.lajoieway.com/en) have built their entire business around this need, offering infant carriers, Group 1 seats, and booster seats included free of charge with every booking. The driver arrives with the correct seat already installed based on your child's age and weight — no fumbling at the curb with an unfamiliar European seat model.
Getting From the Airport to Your Hotel
The airport-to-hotel transfer is often the most stressful part of traveling to Paris with a baby. You have just survived a long flight, your toddler is overtired, you are juggling luggage and a stroller, and you need to figure out transportation in a foreign city.
Here are your main options from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly airports:
RER Train (Budget Option)
The RER B train connects CDG to central Paris for approximately 11 euros per adult. It is the cheapest option by far, but with a baby or toddler, it comes with significant drawbacks. You will need to navigate stairs (many stations lack elevators), pass through narrow turnstiles with a stroller, and potentially transfer at busy stations like Chatelet-Les Halles during rush hour. There are no car seats on trains, so you will be holding your child the entire ride. After a red-eye from New York, this can feel overwhelming.
Standard Taxi
Licensed Paris taxis queue outside both CDG and Orly. Fixed fares apply: 56 euros from CDG to the Right Bank, 65 euros to the Left Bank. Taxis are exempt from car seat requirements, so your baby will ride on your lap. Wait times can be long during peak arrival hours, and you may need to wait outside in the elements with tired children.
Uber or Bolt
Convenient for booking via app, but as mentioned, no car seat option exists in France. Prices fluctuate with demand and can surge significantly during peak hours. You will also need to walk to a designated pickup point outside the terminal.
Pre-Booked Private Car With Car Seat
This is increasingly the preferred choice for families with infants and toddlers. You book in advance, specify your children's ages, and the driver arrives with appropriate car seats pre-installed. The driver typically meets you inside the terminal — often right after customs with a name board — and helps with luggage. Prices for a private transfer from CDG to central Paris typically start from around 79 euros, which is comparable to a taxi when you factor in the included car seat and meet-and-greet service.
The key advantage is predictability. After a long flight, you walk out of customs, see your name on a board, and someone escorts you to a comfortable vehicle where your baby's seat is already waiting. No searching for the taxi rank, no standing in line, no wrestling with a car seat at the curb.
Navigating Paris Day-to-Day With a Baby
Once you are settled at your hotel, day-to-day transportation becomes much more manageable.
The Metro
The Paris Metro is extensive and efficient, but it was built over a century ago, and accessibility is limited. Most stations do not have elevators, and escalators are rare. You will often need to carry your stroller up and down flights of stairs. A lightweight, compact stroller or a baby carrier is essential.
The Metro is generally safe for babies in carriers, and French commuters are usually accommodating to families, especially outside rush hours. Aim to travel between 10 AM and 4 PM for the most comfortable experience.
Buses
Paris buses are significantly more stroller-friendly than the Metro. Most modern buses have low floors and designated stroller spaces. Route 69 and Route 87 are particularly scenic, passing major landmarks. Buses accept the same Navigo cards and tickets as the Metro.
Walking
Paris is a surprisingly walkable city, and many major attractions in central arrondissements are within walking distance of each other. The Seine riverbanks, Jardin du Luxembourg, Tuileries Garden, and the Marais neighborhood are all wonderful for strolling with a baby. Cobblestones can be challenging for some strollers, so air-filled tires or a baby carrier are helpful.
Taxis and Private Cars for Longer Trips
For trips that involve crossing the city (say, from your hotel in the Marais to Versailles, or from Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower with a sleeping baby you do not want to wake), a car service with a pre-installed car seat remains the safest option. Many families find that mixing public transit for short hops with private car services for longer or more complex journeys gives them the best balance of budget and convenience.
Day Trips: Disneyland Paris and Versailles
Two of the most popular family day trips from Paris — Disneyland and the Palace of Versailles — are located outside the city center and require some transport planning.
Disneyland Paris
Located about 40 kilometers east of Paris, Disneyland is reachable by the RER A train (about 45 minutes from Chatelet, approximately 9 euros per adult). However, the same stroller and car seat challenges apply on the train. If your children are old enough to walk and you are comfortable without a car seat, the train works fine.
For families with babies or toddlers, a private transfer from your Paris hotel takes about 45 minutes and costs from approximately 85 euros. The return trip is especially welcome after a full day at the parks, when your toddler is asleep and you have bags full of souvenirs.
Versailles
The RER C train reaches Versailles in about 40 minutes. The walk from the station to the palace is about 15 minutes. Alternatively, a private car drops you right at the entrance and can meet you at a scheduled time for the return.
Practical Tips for Paris Transport With a Baby
Bring a compact stroller. Full-size strollers are impractical on the Metro and in many restaurants. A lightweight travel stroller that folds easily is ideal.
Consider a baby carrier for the first few days. It is faster and easier for navigating airports, train stations, and cobblestone streets.
Download the RATP app. It shows real-time Metro and bus schedules and identifies stations with elevator access.
Plan your airport transfer in advance. Do not leave this to chance, especially after a long flight. Whether you choose a taxi, train, or private car, know your plan before you land.
Bring your child's car seat on the plane if you plan to use taxis or ride-hailing services frequently. Alternatively, book with a transport service that provides them.
Allow extra time for everything. Diaper changes, feedings, and toddler meltdowns happen. Build buffer time into your daily schedule, especially for airport departures.
Ask your hotel concierge for help. Most Paris hotels are experienced with family travelers and can help arrange transportation, recommend stroller-friendly routes, and suggest family-oriented restaurants.
The Bottom Line
Paris is a wonderful destination for families, even with very young children. The key to enjoying it without stress is planning your transportation in advance. For airport transfers and longer journeys, the peace of mind that comes with a pre-booked car and a properly installed car seat is worth every euro. For daily exploring, a combination of buses, walking, and occasional taxi rides will serve most families well.
The most important thing is safety. Whether you choose public transit, a taxi, or a private car service, make sure your little ones are properly secured for every ride. A little planning before your trip means you can focus on what really matters: making incredible family memories in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
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How to Get Around Paris Safely With a Baby or Toddler – A Complete Transport Guide for Families
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