I'll be going to Paris for 2 weeks in mid-October. I've always used the Metro and buses extensively on my past trips (and walked miles!) and successfully avoided taxis. However, on my last trip 2 years ago
I way overdid it with the stairs etc. in Metro, standing on the crowded buses and again walking more miles in the museums. At this point in my life, (I'm 80) I think my back and feet might need more breaks than I've given them previously. I'm not at all ready to give up these great trips!

Anyway, has anyone used Uber or Lyft successfully in Paris? I live in Miami and they seem to work great here, according to friends. I have the apps registered on my phone but haven't tried a ride yet.
Of course my iPhone working in Paris might be an issue for me, but that's another matter, since I've never used a cellphone in Europe.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this, since taxis are sometimes difficult to find in Paris when you want one. Uber shows up very fast - at least in Miami.

https://www.uber.com/cities/paris/

We have used it but prefer taxis. Lyft not as common IMHO.

No reason to avoid taxis in Paris. Having trouble finding one? Look for a nearby hotel. The doorman will be glad to hail a taxi for you.

I was in Paris last week and used Uber a lot. I usually take the bus quite a bit but it was so hot and Uber just seemed like a smart choice. Some rides were as little as 5 euro, others as much as 19 euro. They are always very nice cars and very polite drivers. They show up quickly and are easy to identify by watching for the license plate number.

A great tip for using your iPhone in Paris: most cafes have free wifi and will give you the password as soon as you ask.

Put your phone on airplane mode and use your wifi at your hotel or a cafe and you'll have no roaming charges.

Have a great time, Sue!

If you don't have a phone or internet, you can forget Uber/Lyft.
You don't really need a special service like Uber or Lyft. There are several restrictions which might make using these services problematic, depending on your circumstances.

But you can hail a taxi on the street, just as you would in any other large city.
Walk to a busy street or intersection, stick out your arm and smile.
The green light on top means the taxi is free. Red means it's not.

TaxisG7 is a very reliable company that many residents use on a daily basis. If you want to book ahead, there's a 7 EU fee for the convenience. Here's the website, which permits you to reserve in English by phone or via internet (ignore the annoying music) https://www.g7.fr/en/

Some of those services are illegal in Paris, but I think one form of Uber may be legal. I don't believe Lyft exists in Europe.

I would suggest you first try using it where you live more than once so you understand how it is used. I don't know if most drivers in Paris would speak English or not--I know several of the taxi drivers I've had have not, if that is a concern for you. I think the app can be in English, and after that, it's just a matter of giving them an address, which you could write down anyway. But if you don't understand something, you won't be able to discuss it.

Then if you really understand how it is used, you could wait until you got there to see if your phone works or not. Final step would be to try to use it.

Your hotel can call a taxi and there are also official taxi stands around at major intersections and sites (like museums, Eiffel Tower, etc.). They have a big blue sign with a T on it. If you are going to/from major sites, finding a taxi shouldn't be a problem. It could be in some outer area or more residential areas, sure. They is still usually a taxi stand around the major intersections and metro stops.

The charm of uber is you don't have to tell the driver where you are going because you type it in when you order the ride. And you don't need cash. I'm my experience most drivers speak some if not good English.

Good advice to try it at home to get familiar with the app. Many of my French friends love uber.

I used Uber several times in Paris in November. I had not used it before this trip. I found it extremely easy to use. Drivers appeared promptly even in areas where no taxis drive by regularly and at any time of day or night. There is no need to give them an address; they already have the information when you get in the car as you enter it when you request the car. The app is in English. I downloaded it in the US before heading to Europe.

The level of Uber service which is not permitted in Paris is not available on the app there, so there is no need to determine which kind it is. The. drivers I had explained that they have to get permits from the city; the individual driving his or her own car without a permit does not operate any more in Paris.

If I was in an area where taxis came by I hailed one, or if I was near a taxi stand I would go to it. But at other times and in other places, Uber was an extremely welcome option.

"The charm of uber is you don't have to tell the driver where you are going because you type it in when you order the ride"

What's so difficult about writing it down and handing a piece of paper to a driver? If you can type it surely you can write it.

Many of the taxi stations have changed.

Many still have a shelter with the blue TAXI sign and a curb cut where the drivers are allowed to park.
If there is no shelter, these are rest stops, and the drivers aren't allowed to pick up passengers here.

Many have been changed to look just like the new bus stops, but will have a sign that says TAXI.
Unfortunately, these same "abribus" shelters are used for OpenTour HOHO buses, as well as city buses, too.

Look for the signs before you start waiting.

http://www.lejdd.fr/JDD-Paris/A-Pari...nnectes-698260

I made a quick stop in Paris with my son and one of his friends. We ran short of sightseeing time, so I got a Uber Limo, was quickly picked up in a large Mercedes by a driver who spoke perfect English. He drove us around for about 30 minutes before taking us to our hotel to get our luggage and then on to the airport.

A limo costs more, of course, but I didn't find it unreasonable.

Uber is very reliable and you'll always find one. The waiting time is quite short.
Nevetheless, you'll need WIFI to order your car.
In addition to Uber you can use other French company like Le Cab or Chauffeur Privé. They are exactly the same as Uber. Chauffeur Privé has nicer cars and the drivers wear a tie (!!!!) And it is very easy to find discount code on the internet for these two services.
I used them twice to go to the airport and got a super cheap deal using the discount codes. I think that with Le Cab you can event book in advance.
Since Uber has arrived in France, I have noticed that regular taxi have become nicer, their cars are cleaner and the credit card machine works again!!!! There is still room for improvement and they're more expensive than all the other services.
I'll recommend a great blog post about connectivity and how to use your smartphone in Paris: http://www.secretsofparis.com/communication/
Bon voyage!

You don't need wi-fi to use the Uber app (or any other app) if you have a data plan with your phone. I have free international data through TMobile and used my phone the same way in Paris as I would at home.

Thanks for all the great information! I think I will try to use Uber while there - at least some of the time. I'll talk to Verizon before I go about my data plan, etc.
I'm also going to definitely keep the taxi info too. It will be a relief at least to have these things available when I'm just too dead tired to deal with the Metro. At this point in my life all those stairs are too much. I absolutely love walking around Paris, and also spend hours in the museums - so another option to get back to hotel will help. It'll be money well spent!