The comparison at a glance
| Offer | Duration | Price "from" | What is included | Who it suits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted access, small group | 1 h 30 to 2 h | About $221 | Guide, skip-the-line entry, galleries closed to the public (per the listing) | History fans, travelers who want something secret | See |
| Guided tour with VIP access | 1 h 30 to 2 h | About $158 to $249 | Guide, skip-the-line entry, restricted-access areas | A guide without paying the most | See |
| Special access tour | 1 h 30 to 2 h | About $158 to $249 | Guide, skip-the-line entry, special access | Same profile, another operator | See |
| Small group with skip-the-line entry | 1 h 30 to 2 h | About $158 to $249 | Guide, small group, skip-the-line entry | A guided visit without secret galleries | See |
| Entry ticket and audio guide | About 1 h | About 38 € | Entry ticket and audio guide | Budget, self-paced visit | See |
Official ticket or GetYourGuide?
The official site sells the ticket to the city ossuary: full price 31 € with audio guide included, according to our guide to the Paris Catacombs. Slots are timed and fill up. The GetYourGuide ticket with audio guide costs about 7 € more: that premium is worth paying if the official site is full on your date, but compare both before paying. The guided tours are not comparable to a plain ticket: you are buying a guide and, according to the listings, parts of the network that the ordinary visit does not show.
Restricted access, small group
The most exclusive option in the comparison, from about $221. Listings of this kind mention groups of 6 to 7 people and gates opened for the group on areas closed to the public. Restricted-access offers show ratings of 4.9 out of 5 from more than 500 reviews. Check the listing for group size and whether cancellation is possible. See the offer.
Guided tour with VIP access
A tour of about 2 hours with skip-the-line entry and restricted-access areas. Price readings conflict (from about $158 to $249 depending on the date): look at the rate for your day. See the offer.
Special access tour
Another operator, same idea: guide, skip-the-line entry and access to galleries usually closed. Check whether a hotel transfer or a cruise is included, which differs from listing to listing. See the offer.
Small group with skip-the-line entry
A guided visit in a small group, with no promise of secret galleries: it is the simplest of the guided tours. Some smaller group sizes are only offered at certain times. See the offer.
Entry ticket and audio guide
The most booked: 4.6 out of 5 from 12,372 reviews, from about 38 €. It is the self-paced visit with an audio guide, without a live guide. See the offer.
What is not included and the pitfalls
- The slots. Popular time slots go first, sometimes several days ahead, and some listings say "likely to sell out".
- Cancellation. Some offers are refundable up to 24 hours before, others are not: read the listing.
- "VIP". The word does not tell you what you see beyond the standard visit: ask yourself whether the price gap is worth the galleries advertised.
- The stairs. Count about 130 steps down and no elevator; on some tours, strollers and large bags are refused.
- Who should skip it. The visit is not recommended for claustrophobia, heart or breathing problems, or reduced mobility.
- The cold. It is about 14 °C all year: bring a jacket and good shoes.
- The meeting point. It is most often near Denfert-Rochereau station; the listing gives the exact spot.
Which offer to choose?
- Budget, self-paced visit: the official ticket if a slot exists, otherwise the ticket with audio guide.
- First visit with a guide: the small-group tour with skip-the-line entry.
- Curious people who want to see something different: restricted access or special access, comparing what each listing announces.
- Families: the visit is not recommended for young children; see Paris with kids instead.
- Rainy day: the galleries are a good plan, see Paris on a rainy day.
Booking at the right time
Book as soon as you know your date, especially in spring and summer, and prefer a weekday. The Catacombs are closed on Monday. For more ideas, read booking ahead in Paris and unusual Paris.
