The 21 Best Paris Travel Apps For Navigating The City In 2025
Last updated on December 20th, 2024 at 09:24 am
On my first trip to Paris I got completely lost. Sound familiar?
Well that’s where my list of the best Paris Travel Apps gets you out of trouble. All you need is a phone and a sim that lets you roam in France, and you’re all set.
How often have you been somewhere and needed the toilet, only to have no idea where the nearest one is? Well, fear not, I have two apps to help you find the nearest loo to you in Paris.
And whether you’re looking for the best rooftop terrace for cocktails or where to find a pint of local beer, there are apps for that too.
It’s all about making your trip to Paris easy and giving you more time to explore without getting lost or struggling to navigate the Metro. So let’s dive in and discover which Paris travel apps you need to download.
Listen to the Podcast Interview With the Owner of 52 Martinis, Forest Collins
This episode features one of the Apps on the list and is the perfect place to find the best bars in Paris. For more details, it’s number 13 on the list.
The Best Paris Travel Apps for 2024
First things first, if you’re coming to France for any other country, do yourself a favour and get an eSim. It’s by far the easiest and cheapest way to use your phone when you’re overseas. I have a whole article dedicated to the best eSim providers to help you.
In total, there are 21 apps I’ve downloaded into my Paris Travel Folder on my phone, and I’ve split them down into categories, so it makes it quicker for you to find the ones you want.
Best Paris Metro Apps
The Metro confuses people, so to make it easy, I have two apps that will help you stay on track, plus an entire article dedicated to using the Metro.
No 1 Paris Metro App
I love this app as it takes the guesswork out of navigating the Metro. It’s an interactive map that allows you to find the best routes from point A to B across Paris. Whether you’re trying to reach the Louvre or find your way back to your hotel in Montmartre, this app simplifies the journey.
You can search for stations, see real-time train schedules, and even get estimates on journey times. Plus, it’s updated with any service changes, which is super handy when you have to meet a tour guide at a designated time.
No 2 Bonjour RATP
Sometimes, the Metro won’t take you where you need to get to, and you’ll need to use the RER trains. This applies to any trips to the Palace of Versailles and also if you’re staying at Disneyland Paris.
Bonjour RATP is an all-in-one tool designed to make Parisian public transport more accessible and user-friendly. It helps you navigate the public transport network in Paris, including metros, buses, trams, and even RER trains.
You’ll get real-time traffic updates and suggestions for the fastest routes. But for me, I love being able to top up my Navigo Travel Card, as it means I don’t have to try and negotiate using the ticket machines.
Often, if it’s busy, there is a queue, so it saves so much time, and you don’t have to deal with paper tickets, which they are phasing out anyway.
Best Map Apps for Paris
No 3 Google Maps
Everyone knows Google Maps, and it is a lifesaver when you’re lost. Or just too tired to try and do it on your own. Either way, we all normally have it on our phones, so it deserves to be on this list.
No 4 CityMapper
This one is a great alternative to Google Maps as it has everything you’d expect from a map app but with added benefits. It integrates with other apps, such as Uber, Vélib, Bolt and Zipcar, and it has a subscription service, CityMapper PASS, which integrates payment for multiple modes of transport into a single digital pass.
This is really handy as everything is in one place which saves you searching for it.
No 5 Maps.me
Maps.me is your go-to offline map and navigation tool, invaluable if you need to go into areas with limited internet connectivity, or if you don’t have international roaming.
Unlike other mapping services that rely on a constant internet connection, Maps.me allows you to download maps of entire countries, including France, ahead of your trip.
This means you can access detailed maps, search for specific locations, and get directions without using data. The app covers everything from streets and cafes to historic sites and hotels, making it perfect for exploring Paris’s hidden gems, which suits me down to the ground.
No 6 Disneyland Paris App
If you’re staying at Disneyland Paris and decide to come into the city for a day or two, then the App will help you navigate.
Mainly though, it’s there to help you make your way around the parks. From real-time wait times for attractions and shows to interactive maps that guide you through both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
Paris Taxis Apps
Not all taxi companies are created equal, and you have your choice in Paris.
No 7 Uber
Everyone knows Uber and it does operate in Paris, but it can be really expensive, so although it’s on the list, it isn’t the one I use when I’m in the city. I tend to use either Bolt or G7, which are both below.
Having said that, if you already have it downloaded on your phone, it can sometimes just be easier to stick with it.
No 8 Bolt
Bolt is Uber’s biggest competitor, and I’ve found it’s often the cheaper alternative. It works in a similar way, and unlike Uber, they sometimes have discount codes you can use.
No 9 G7
G7 has the largest fleet of electric and hybrid cars in Europe, so I use them when I can. It’s also the official transport app in Paris, Taxis Parisien. Their prices aren’t as inflated as Uber’s.
No 10 Heetch
Heetch started as a nighttime cab company but has now added daytime trips too, so it’s a 24/7 option. I love this brand as their drivers are always really friendly and happy to share tips on the best places to go that aren’t touristy.
I’ve found so many places this way. One driver told me about his daughter being a Harry Potter fan, which my daughter is too. He asked if I’d seen the house of Nicolas Flamel, the alchemist in Harry Potter.
I hadn’t and didn’t even know it was in Paris. He told me, and I wrote an article all about his life in Paris and subsequent fame in HP.
Restaurant and Drinks Apps in Paris
There are so many restaurants, bistros, bars, and cafes in Paris it can be hard to know where to start. But these four apps get used every time I go to Paris.
No 11 Le Fooding
Le Fooding is created by locals, which I love, and you’ll often find places there a little off the main tourist streets. I’ve discovered some great places I’d never have known about otherwise.
You can search by area, cuisine type, or specific recommendations like “brunch spots” or “romantic dinners.” Each listing is accompanied by detailed reviews, photos, and practical information such as address, hours, and price range.
No 12 La Fourchette/The Fork
The Fork is great for making reservations and often runs special offers when you book through the app. Most recently, I got 15% off my meal, just for using the app. I always check to see if there are any promos before I do anything regarding food or eating in Paris.
No 13 52 Martinis Paris Cocktails App
Unfortunately, there is no Android App for this one, and you can only get the app once you’re in France. I tried downloading it in the UK, and it wouldn’t let me due to region.
However, don’t let that put you off. The website is fab, as is the app once you are allowed to download it.
It’s fun by Forest Collins, and it’s all in English. She’s lived in Paris for 18+ years and is an expert on cocktails, and where to drink them in Paris.
Plus, she has a great podcast too. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Forest on my podcast, so make sure you listen to that to hear more about her journey. It’s episode 26 >>>
No 14 Mister Good Beer
If you’re not into cocktails and beer is more your thing, then you absolutely have to download Mister Good Beer. My hubby swears by it. He’s more into beer than me. Actually, I hate it, but he doesn’t, so I have the app on my phone.
It’s an app only for France and covers other cities, as well, such as Strasbourg, Toulouse, Marseilles, Lille and Bordeaux.
It tells you where to find the cheapest beer, gives you info on craft beer bars, places running promotions and the latest happy hours.
Toilet Finder Apps in Paris
We’ve all been caught short before when we’re out and about, and there is nothing worse. I’ve lost count of times I’ve been dying for a wee when I’m in a city I’ve never been to before.
I think these two apps are invaluable, and more importantly, they work.
No 15 Flush Toilet Finder
Flush Toilet Finder is the app you want on your phone when you’re in need of a public restroom. The app features over 200,000 toilets worldwide, making it especially useful in a densely populated and tourist-heavy city like Paris.
It will tell you where the nearest public toilet is and even give you accessibility information, whether a fee is required, and if a key is needed for access.
There is nothing worse than having to “pay to pee” only to find you have no change! It happened to me at Bordeaux train station, and luckily, I could use my phone to pay. Thank God for that.
No 16 ICI Toilettes
ICI Toilettes is similar but for France as opposed to the entire world. It’s also user-generated, which means it finds bathrooms not widely known, so super helpful when you’re travelling.
It also gives you directions on how to get to each one and covers parks too.
Other Paris Travel Apps
No 17 Vélib
If you fancy exploring Paris by bike, this is a great little app. It gives you access to the city’s extensive bike-sharing system. With thousands of bikes spread across hundreds of stations, Vélib’ allows users to pick up a bike from one station and drop it off at another
The app shows real-time availability of bikes and docking stations, helping you plan your route and you can choose from classic or electric bikes.
It’s a truly lovely way to explore the city, plus it’s a good green option. I’ve done it once, and we packed a picnic to eat on the banks of the Seine.
No 18 Urbs Travel App
I’ve only recently started using this app, and it’s not just focused on Paris it covers other major cities around the world such as London, Berlin and Barcelona.
But once you choose your city it gives you everything you could possibly need to know. It integrates information on the Metro, buses, trams, and even rental services like bikes and scooters, and gives you an introduction to the city.
Beyond transport, Urbs includes guides to landmarks, museums, parks, accommodation and airport transfers.
No 19 Deepl
This is my ‘go-to’ translation app. I’m still learning French and don’t have the confidence I need to just go for it. Now I know most people seem to speak English in places like Paris, but not always. And besides, it’s nice to speak French and not assume everyone will talk to you in English.
Deepl is much better than Google Translate, and it’s more accurate. It also has a camera for scanning text, just like Google Translate. So this is my recommendation for a more accurate translation from English to French.
No 20 Spotted by Locals
Another app I love is Spotted by Locals, who are committed to sustainable travel and produce guides on 82 cities, Paris being one of them.
There is a profile on each ‘spotter’ who is always a local of the city, and you can read all about them. The guides are detailed, up to date and will give you details of places you’ll never find in the tourist guide books.
They aren’t allowed to write about the usual tourist hotspots or chain restaurants. They like to spread the tourism money fairly, supporting local communities and businesses, which I absolutely love.
No 21 Paris Storystreet
This is hands down my favourite app ever. Why? Because it’s all about books and stories set in Paris.
Find all the places featured in Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, step into Les Miserables and discover the floating bookstore in The Little Paris Bookshop.
All you do is download the app, select your story and then follow the directions to see all the places in Paris that are featured in that book.
But it gets better you can subscribe for just £0.99 for the year and get access to all the Emily in Paris locations too. Plus, my favourite movie, Midnight in Paris.
FAQS: Best Apps For Paris Travel
What is the best app to use in Paris?
The best app to use in Paris depends on your needs. For general navigation and recommendations, Google Maps is highly versatile, offering directions, restaurant reviews, and tourist attraction information. For a local perspective, the Paris Tourist Office App provides detailed guides, maps, and tips to explore the city.
What app to use for transport in Paris?
For transportation in Paris, the RATP app is the most efficient choice. It provides real-time updates, route planning, and schedules for the Metro, RER, buses, and trams, helping users navigate the city’s public transportation system with ease.
What is the best app for finding toilets in Paris?
Flush Toilet Finder is the best app for finding toilets in Paris. It has a comprehensive database of public restrooms across the city, including details about accessibility, charge, and opening hours, making it convenient for tourists and locals alike.
What is the secret of Paris app?
The secret of the Paris app refers to “Paris Storystreet,” an app designed to uncover hidden gems and lesser-known attractions in Paris. It guides users to unique spots, historical anecdotes, and off-the-beaten-path experiences, offering a deeper insight into the city beyond its famous landmarks.
Final thoughts: Best Travel Apps For Paris
I’ll continue adding to this list each time I find a new app for Paris that I’ve used and found helpful.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy exploring one of my favourite cities in France and fall in love with it as much as I have.
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