The options at a glance
| Option | Price found (October 2026) | Who for |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Roissy flat fare €56 (right bank) or €65 (left bank); Orly €45 or €36 | a simple trip, no booking |
| Booked private transfer | about $107 to 109 per vehicle (Roissy, standard offer) | arriving with luggage, families |
| Hourly hire | about €110 an hour in a sedan, €220 in a van, 3-hour minimum at one provider | a free day, shopping, meetings |
| Private tour with a driver | about $1,000 to 1,800 per group from two offers found (Giverny; Versailles and Giverny) | Versailles and Giverny in private |
These prices come from provider and platform listings on varying dates: only the written quote counts.
What a private driver (VTC) is
A VTC must always be booked in advance: it cannot be hailed in the street or wait at a taxi rank. Its driver must hold a professional card, which must be visible on the vehicle's windscreen. You therefore have the right to check it. A taxi, by contrast, is hailed or taken at a rank, with a meter: see taxis in Paris.
Transfer from the airport
This is the simplest use: a driver waits for you and the price is known in advance. The full comparison of offers is in Paris airport transfer: which offer to choose; the RER or metro stay cheaper if you travel light: see from the airport to central Paris.
Hourly hire
You keep the car and driver for a set time: useful for linking several addresses or for a shopping day. Before booking, ask for the minimum number of hours, the rate for extra hours, whether fuel, tolls and waiting are included, and whether the tip is included. The driver drives: he does not commentate on the visit.
Private tour with a driver
For Versailles or Giverny, a driver-guide or a driver alone takes you at your own pace. Check whether the entry to the palace is included, and whether the person is a guide or only a driver. To compare with group or guided options, read Versailles from Paris: which guided visit and Giverny from Paris: which excursion. For the visit itself, see the Palace of Versailles.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Price per vehicle or per person: most transfers are per vehicle.
- Minimum hours: hourly hire is often billed in blocks.
- Waiting and luggage: long waits and extra bags can cost more.
- Limited drop-off: some offers stop inside Paris proper.
- Cancellation: read the terms before paying.
Which option to choose
- Arriving with suitcases or children: the private transfer.
- A whole day in Paris: hourly hire.
- Versailles or Giverny with no constraints: the private tour.
- A single trip in town: the taxi, with no booking.
FAQ
How much does a private driver cost in Paris?
About $107 to 109 for a private transfer from Roissy; hourly, around €110 in a sedan and €220 in a van at one provider, with a minimum number of hours.
Is a private driver a taxi?
No: it is a VTC, booked in advance and not to be hailed.
Can you do a private tour of Paris with a driver?
Yes: choose a driver-guide if you want explanations, and check what the price includes.
Going further
Prepare the rest of your stay with Paris in 3 days and Paris with family.
