Are you planning to visit Disneyland Paris as part of your vacation in the City of Light?  If so, you may wonder: "What's the best way to get there from Paris?"

If you're like many Paris visitors, the "Most Magical Place on Earth" may be one of the top attractions where you want to spend a day - or even longer - especially if you're traveling with your kids or teens, who may see it as the highlight of the trip!

And for good reasons. 

Paris Disney includes Disneyland Park with its five magical lands (Main Street USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Discovery Land), Walt Disney Studios Park, with five exciting zones showing you how your favorite characters come to life on screen. 

Just a few steps away, Disney Village overflows with entertainment and shopping opportunities.

Fortunately, Disneyland Paris's location just 27 miles (43.6 km) from the center of Paris makes it ideal for an easy day trip.  If you want more time there, an excellent selection of affordable hotels with free shuttle bus service to the Disney Parks means you can easily spend 2-3 days there if you choose (and save money compared to staying in Paris).

In this article, you'll find out how to get to Disneyland Paris from Paris and back, starting with the two best choices for most visitors plus a several others you may also want to consider, depending on your special circumstances. 

We also point out the pros and cons of each choice to help you decide which way to travel works best for you. 

Here's what you'll find in this article:

Need Tickets to Disneyland Paris?

Advance tickets to Disneyland Paris are a "must" if you want to be sure of getting in (there's nothing worse than arriving and seeing the dreaded "Park Full" sign). 

Disneyland Paris Tickets PLUS Transportation:


Top photo: Entrance to Disneyland Paris, (c) copyright Paris Discovery Guide

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1.  The Easiest Way to Travel to & from Disneyland Paris:  Book the Disneyland Bus with Tickets Included

Disneyland Paris entrance and security check lines
Disneyland Paris entrance and security check lines

The easiest and most stress-free way to get to Disneyland Paris, especially if you are visiting for the first time or are not comfortable with using Paris's RER train system, is to get tickets in advance for a direct transfer bus shuttle which also includes tickets to one or both Parks. 

Once you book the service, all you have to do is show up at one of five popular locations in central Paris and board the bus.

Here are several reasons why you may want to book this convenient option:

  • You're traveling with young children (or over-excited teens) and you don't want the hassle of watching them like a hawk to make sure they don't put their feet on the seat (which can get you a hefty fine - more about that in a moment)
  • You're not used to public transportation and don't want to figure out Paris's metro and regional train system just for this one excursion
  • You know you're going to be jet lagged after an overseas trip and you want a stress-free experience (and maybe a chance to sleep on the bus)
  • You've never been there before, and you like the idea of a host guiding you to the right entrance gate

Based on our experiences, the air-conditioned buses used for these trips are quite spacious and comfortable, and depending on which Paris departure point you pick (and, of course, Paris traffic), the trip takes only about 45-65 minutes.  It feels like a VIP experience but without a big price tag.

Departures from Paris occur around 8:30am - 8:55am, and the bus departs Disney promptly at 9pm.  Times may vary a bit seasonally, but you'll be notified of the exact time when you purchase your ticket.

Pick-up/drop off points are very close to major metro/RER stations, and include Chatelet Station, Montparnasse Station, Gare du Nord, Opera, and near the Eiffel Tower RER station.

A host accompanies you on the bus, and once you arrive, he or she walks you over to the right gate to enter the Parks, and makes sure you know exactly where to meet the bus in the evening for the trip back to Paris.

Get your tickets now:

Pros & Cons for Taking the Disneyland Bus

Pros:  Convenient and easy, especially since it also includes your Disney ticket; may cost a little less than private transport

Cons:  Departure and return times are fixed; costs more than going by train (RER)

Pro Tip:  Occasionally, if entrance tickets to the Parks are sold out for the day when you want to go, they may still be available through this option

Another Pro Tip:  If you like the idea of going by bus want to stay at the park past 9pm, you can always take the RER-A train back to Paris

Book your Disneyland Bus tickets here

2.  Getting to Disneyland Paris from Paris on the RER-A: The Cheapest Option (As Long as You Avoid a Costly Fine)

Train and bus station in Versailles, France
Train and bus station in Versailles, France

By far the most popular, the fastest, and the cheapest way to travel from Paris to Disneyland Paris is by taking the RER A train, part of the rapid transit system connecting the city and surrounding suburbs.

If you board the RER A at the Châtelet - Les Halles station in Paris, the trip takes almost exactly 40 minutes.  

You can also catch the train at one of the line's four other stations in the city - Charles de Gaulle/Etoile, Auber, Gare de Lyon, and Nation - which also provide metro service.  Depending on which one you choose, your journey will be a few minutes shorter or longer.

Trains depart frequently - usually every 10 or 15 minutes - so you never have to wait long.  Overhead signs in the stations show you arrival/departure times.

An RER ticket from Paris to Disney's location at Marne-la-Vallée Chessy costs only 5.50€ each way.  However, if you have a Navigo Weekly or Monthly pass for Zones 1-5, you don't need to get an additional ticket because the pass includes RER transit in all five zones of the RER's regional transportation network.

Please note, however, that although regular metro tickets include travel on the RER for Zone 1, they are not valid for travel to Disney because it is in Zone 5.  You also cannot use a Paris Visite pass because it includes RER travel only for Zones 1-3.

How to Get Your RER-A Ticket to Disneyland (& Back to Paris)

Marne-la-Vallée Chessy RER station across the street from Disneyland Paris
Marne-la-Vallée Chessy RER station across the street from Disneyland Paris

When you arrive at your departure RER A station in Paris, you will need to buy tickets for your trip unless you have a weekly or monthly "all zones" Navigo pass.

Otherwise, you must buy an RER ticket to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy from one of the ticket machines that you'll find in any RER/metro station.

While you're doing that, you may also want to buy a 1-way RER ticket from Marne-la-Vallée Chessy back to a Paris RER station such as Châtelet so that you will already have it later for your return trip. 

In case you are wondering, round-trip tickets are not available - you just get two 1-way tickets, with one for each direction. 

Ticket machine for Paris metro, RER, bus, and tram
Ticket machine in a Paris metro/RER station

The automated ticket machines are easy to spot, and also easy to use.  Select the language option for "English" (or another language), follow the step-by-step instructions on the screen, and pay for your ticket with your credit card or cash. 

Once you go through the process a couple of times, you can do it in just a couple of minutes.

If you make a mistake, no worries - just hit "cancel" and start over.  Confused?  Just walk over to the service window and ask for help. 

By the way, you can load your tickets onto a Navigo Easy pass if you have one but for some reason, I feel more confident if I have the actual tickets in my hand - plus it seems easier.

You can also do the entire ticket purchase online, but I've never been able to get the transaction to go through - maybe the problem is having a non-French credit card?

Pro Tip:  For the best experience, avoid getting your tickets during rush hour, especially on Monday mornings when local commuters are recharging their Navigo Weekly cards as they rush off to work. 

Aim for coming during late morning or early afternoon if possible.  So if you want to leave Paris in time to reach the Parks as soon as they open, get your tickets the day before.

How to Ask for Ticket Help When You Don't Speak French

In France, you will almost always get a much better response if you start with a polite greeting because doing so shows respect for the other person, which is a cultural expectation.

So at the service counter, start by saying "Bonjour madame [monsieur]." (Pronounced sort of like: "Bone-juah mah-dam [moan-suah]" - smiling as you say this makes your accent sound slightly better.) 

Then say, "J'ai un problèm avec le billet..." ("Jhay uh pro-blem ah-vek leh bee-yay").  They'll usually take it from there. 

If not, you can politely ask, "Parlez-vous Anglais?" ("Par-lay vu Awn-glay?")

In many if not most RER stations in Paris as well as the one across from Disney, the service desk staff speak at least basic (and usually very good) English.


Beautiful June afternoon at Disneyland Paris
Beautiful June afternoon at Disneyland Paris

Directions for Taking the RER A to Disneyland from Paris

Once you have your ticket, you will validate it in a machine or yellow box as you pass from the station's ticket area to the track area.  If in doubt, look to see what others are doing.

Be sure to keep your ticket because you may need to show it to the conductor while you're on the train.  You'll also need to insert it into a turnstile or possibly another yellow box in order to exit the station. If you don't have it, you'll most likely be fined.

Once you are in the departure track area, look at the overhead signs to find the right track for the east-bound train to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy - it should be easy to spot.

Please be aware that the east-bound RER-C splits into two sub-lines in Vincennes, a suburb bordering Paris.  The RER-C train's northeastern branch terminates at Marne-la-Vallée Chessy, so just look for that name on the sign and make sure you're by the right track for that train.

Here's what the RER-A's east-bound route looks like:

RER-C route plan - courtesy of RATP.com
RER-C route plan - Source: RATP.com

Remember, keep your ticket!

Avoiding Fines on the RER

Stories abound about Paris visitors who get hit with hefty fines because of transgressions on the RER, especially related to tickets.  What is "hefty"?  Anywhere from about 25€ - 65€ for using a ticket for a zone where it's not valid or failing to validate your ticket to up to 375€ if you don't pay promptly. 

But actually, fines are easy to avoid as long as you do (or avoid doing) these things:

  • Make sure you're using the right kind of ticket.  You must have an RER train ticket from Paris to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy (and the reverse for your return trip), unless you have a Navigo Weekly or Monthly pass that's valid for your travel date
  • If you're using a Navigo Weekly or Monthly card, you must use it only for yourself (there's a 1 person per card rule) - so don't try to sneak someone else past the gate with it!
  • You must validate your ticket in a machine as you pass from the ticketing area into the track area at the station (you'll see others doing this, so just copy them)
  • You have your validated ticket available in case a conductor asks to see it on the train
  • As you leave the station, you must again insert your validated ticket into a machine in order to exit
  • While on the train, do not put your feet (or let your children or teens put their feet) on the seat.  If you are traveling with a toddler, good luck.  (If you feel worried about this, it's a good reason to take the Disneyland Bus, or for even more comfort and relaxation, a private car with a driver - more about that in a moment)
  • Do not drop trash onto the floor of the train, or let anyone with you do this.
  • Don't leave anything behind (such as trash)
  • Do not disturb the peace by being too loud, playing music that others can hear, or singing 
  • Do not smoke or vape
  • Don't be obviously inebriated or drunk

Yes, that's a long and far from complete list (you can see a few more examples on the RATP website here), but in fairness, riding on the relatively clean, quiet RER trains is usually a pleasant and relaxing experience, and it's nice to know that someone else's feet haven't been on the seat you're sitting on.

Pros & Cons for Taking the RER to Disneyland Paris

Pros:  The RER train is the cheapest and fastest way to get from Paris to Disney!  It's also an easy and convenient option, if you're used to taking trains or subways, or at least not intimidated by the process. 

Taking the RER also gives you a lot of flexibility for deciding when to go and when to return.  The last train usually departs shortly after midnight which gives you plenty of time to see the fireworks.

Cons:  If you've never taken public transportation such as a subway or commuter train, doing so for the first time can feel a little intimidating and confusing.

If you're jet lagged or distracted by traveling with children or teens, it can be stressful, especially if you're worried that they might do something when you're not watching that could incur a fine.  If you're traveling with a toddler and need to bring a carriage, that can add to your stress because it's one more thing to juggle when getting on and off. 

Pro Tip:  If any of the "cons" apply, consider taking the Disneyland Bus or using a private car service with a driver.  Sure, they are more expensive than the train - but only if you don't have to pay a fine!  And a no-stress trip when you're on vacation is priceless.

3. Using a Private Car Service & Driver to Get to Paris Disneyland - the VIP Approach

Beautiful June afternoon at Disneyland Paris
Beautiful June afternoon at Disneyland Paris

Getting to Disney in a private car with a driver  - in other words, a private transfer service - is the most comfortable, reliable, and stress-free transportation option. 

A private car and driver also gives you total flexibility about when you arrive and depart, and perhaps best of all, they'll pick you up and drop you off at your door.  It's truly a VIP-type experience. 

Although a private transfer seems at first glance to be one of the more expensive options, it may be more affordable than you expect on a per-person basis, especially if you're going with several friends or family members.  The price per person typically goes down as the number of people in your group increases.

Although several companies provide this service, we like this highly-rated one because they can accommodate up to eight or more passengers. 

They also offer private transfer service between CDG or Orly Airport and Disneyland Paris.

Pros & Cons for Using a Private Transfer Service

Pros:  Convenient, easy, comfortable, reliable.  A stress-free experience.  Can accommodate groups up to eight, or more.

Cons:  More expensive than taking the RER.  For one or two people, it usually costs more than taking the Disneyland Bus from Paris for around 3-4 people, the cost starts to be the same, and for five or more, it may be cheaper on a per-person basis. 

Unlike the bus, you usually do have to buy your own Park tickets, although there is one transfer service that offers an all-inclusive package.

By the way, we keep saying "usually" because prices vary a bit for a number of reasons, including fluctuations in exchange rates - so if you're price-sensitive (as most people are), compare the numbers yourself before you commit. 

Does a private transfer service cost more than an uber or taxi?  Maybe.  But if you opt for an uber or taxi and hit bad traffic jams, maybe not.  So compare prices based on the number of people going with you and do the math before you decide.

Considering Staying near Disney?

This is one of our favorite budget hacks, because whether you stay in one of the themed Disney hotels or choose other accommodations nearby, you'll likely save money (and get a larger guestroom) compared with staying in Paris - just make sure you choose one with a free shuttle to the Parks, such as these:


4.  Should You Consider Taking an Uber or Taxi?

Colorful parade at Disneyland Paris
Colorful parade at Disneyland Paris

Should you consider using a ride-share service such as Uber or a taxi to the Magical Kingdom?

A one-way trip from/to central Paris by Uber will typically cost you around 80€ - 110€, assuming no major traffic backups and non-rush hour timing. 

Transit time (again, depending on where you are in the city as well as the time of day) runs about 50-75 minutes, but it can be longer if you get stuck in city traffic or on the Péripherique, the ring road around Paris.  Add in road congestion (an almost-constant condition on the Périph', and your fare and travel time can soar. 

Taxis usually cost a little more, especially if you schedule in advance and incur the typical booking fee.

The real issue, though, is availability.  Getting a confirmed ride to Disney isn't usually difficult, but getting one back to Paris can be, especially during August, on weekend nights, on public holidays, or when other big events are taking place in the Paris. 

If you have trouble getting an uber or taxi back to Paris, you do have a couple of options:  Take the RER, if that works for you, or stay at one of the nearby hotels with free shuttle bus service to Disney and head back to the city the next day.

Pros & Cons for Taking an Uber or Taxi

Pros:  You get the comfort, flexibility, and convenience of private transportation at a price point that may be less than a private transfer service.  You avoid the stress of taking the RER if you're not familiar with public transportation or you don't want to risk a costly fine. 

Cons:  Pricing and availability are unpredictable, and you should always have a back-up plan for the return trip to Paris.  Going by car, whether it's an uber, a taxi, a private transfer service, or you behind the wheel of a rental car, also takes longer than the RER. 

Aside from not knowing exactly what the fare will be, you can be sure that it will cost you much more than the RER.  If you are unlucky with your timing and hit snarls of slowing-moving traffic, it may cost you almost as much or even more than a private car service.

5.  Should You Drive to Disney?

Terrace seating by a casual Disneyland Paris bistro
Terrace seating by a casual Disneyland Paris bistro

Normally, no. 

As a Paris visitor, you never want to be burdened with a car because a) driving in the city, on the Periphique, and even in the nearby suburbs can be a nightmare if you're not used to it, and b) car rental fees can be quite high, especially once you add in insurance. 

You'll also need to pay for parking at Disneyland (unless you're staying in one of their branded hotels), which runs about 30€-40€, depending on the size of your vehicle. 

In case you're wondering about renting a car for just a day to get the parks, it is still likely to cost you more than a private transfer service - plus you still have to deal with the traffic and not being familiar with the roads and French driving patterns.

But if you are planning to make a trip beyond Paris to multiple destinations, then renting a car and stopping at the Parks for a day or more along the way can make sense.  And the good news is that once you're well outside of the Paris metro area, traffic is usually much more manageable.

Pros & Cons for Driving:

Pros:  Flexibility and comfort.

Cons:  Cost, Paris traffic, transit time, stress.

If you are considering doing this, here is a Pro Tip:

Depart Paris in the early afternoon on the day before your Disney visit in order to miss rush hour traffic, and spend a couple of nights at a nearby hotel.  Make sure you choose one with onsite parking, and also choose one if possible with free shuttle service to the Parks because that will save you time. 

Since hotel rates are significantly cheaper than in Paris (unless you choose one of the most expensive Disney-themed accommodations), you'll save some money.  You can also easily arrive at the Disneyland entrance gate early in the morning and stay as late as you want for the fireworks.


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