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Eurostar trains arrive at Gare du Nord, slightly north of the city centre. The station is served by three metro lines and three RER lines, and has a taxi rank outside, usually manned by assistants to help newly arrived visitors.

Gare du Nord is a large station with several places to eat and drink and shops selling books, newspapers and snacks. The metro station is reached from the concourse and is clearly signposted. There is also a tourist office by the Grandes Lignes exit.

Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport is the arrival point for most international flights, 23 km (14 miles) northeast of the city centre. Its main terminals are some distance apart, so check which one you require when returning. A 24-hour English-language information service is available.

CDG is connected to central Paris by several bus services and (the easiest option) the RER train line B. This links with Gare du Nord, Les Halles and St Michel, among other central stations. Taxis take at least 30 minutes to the centre, sometimes more, and cost about €45.

Orly is 14 km (8.5 miles) south of the city centre and is used by French domestic services and some international airlines. It also has two terminals: Orly-Sud is mainly for international flights; Orly-Ouest is for domestic flights. English-language information is available 6am–11:30pm.

Air France and other bus services link Orly with the city centre and metro stations, while the high-speed and frequent Orlyval train runs to the Orlyval RER station, for onward RER links to central Paris. Taxis take about 30 minutes and cost about 40 euros.

Beauvais Tillé Airport is some 70 km (43 miles) north of Paris and is not used by major airlines, with the exception of the Irish budget airline Ryanair, whose flights from Dublin and Glasgow land here. There is a connecting bus link with Porte Maillot metro station; allow at least an hour for the journey.

All motorways from whichever direction eventually link with Paris’ Boulevard Périphérique (Outer Ring Road). Access to central Paris is via different exits (portes ), so drivers should check their destination before setting off and know which exit they will need.

To park on the street you will need the nerves and ability of a local: they often park illegally, seemingly with impunity. Visitors are advised to use one of the official car parks, which are plentiful.

The main operator, Eurolines, has services from the UK, Ireland, Germany and several other European countries. Coaches arrive at Gare Routière International, east of the city centre but linked to the metro from the Galliéni station on Line 3.