Planning the logistics of any trip to watch football around Europe can be rather daunting. Luckily, when heading to watch PSG, Paris has some excellent infrastructure and makes things far smoother than most.
From taking the Eurostar from parts of Europe, such as the UK and Belgium, taking the train from one of the two main airports, or simply grabbing an Uber from the hotel to the Parc des Princes, there are plenty of options.
Hopefully, this guide will ease the burden and help kick start some ideas as to the route of travel that best suits you. Let’s get going!
By Air
As Paris Saint-Germain has grown in stature, garnering a worldwide reputation, the fan base only broadens as the seasons pass. Getting to Paris by air will be the transport option of choice for many, especially those who are coming from Europe and further afield. Here is a breakdown of the best ways to reach the Parc des Princes, depending on which airport you fly into.
From Charles de Gaulle:
Charles de Gaulle is the stand-out airport in Paris and is the most frequented by football fans when flying into the city. Although it sits a daunting 42 km away from the stadium, using a line such as the Massy – Palaiseau, it is a 30 to 40-minute ride into central Paris (Cluny La Sorbonne may be the station you have to change at). From there, it takes another 30 minutes by train to get to the Parc des Princes area. Look for the Boulogne Pont de Saint-Cloud line, and after 20 minutes, you’ll arrive at Porte d’Auteuil station, which sits 10 minutes away from the stadium.
However, be prepared to walk between station changes. Albeit, they will be 5-10 minutes maximum and represent a good opportunity to see different parts of the city.
From Paris-Orly:
Arguably, Paris-Orly can be considered the little brother of Charles de Gaulle, but it is still responsible for a staggering number of flights. Over 29 million customers went through the airport in 2022 alone.
Located in the south of Paris, traveling straight from the airport to the stadium will take just over an hour using the metro line. Look out for the Saint-Denis-Pleyel line, which will take you to Saint-Lazare station. From there, a short walk to Saint Augustin is required. The Pont de Sèvres line is accessible here, which, after a 20-minute ride, will allow you to get to Porte de Saint-Cloud. From here, the Parc des Princes sits 5-10 minutes away by foot.
Some other airports that you could potentially fly into are:
- Paris Beauvais-Tille Airport
- Paris Chalons-Vatry Airport
- Paris–Le Bourget Airport
By Eurostar
When talking about reaching Paris from outside the country, we have to discuss the Eurostar, which is a premium experience that not only provides a rather unique experience but it makes things far easier for fans trying to get to Parc des Princes.
Since 1994, the year that it opened, the Eurostar has almost become an icon of France itself. The ease of access from the UK, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands to get to France is top tier. However, with this level of infrastructure comes an increased price relative to flying into Paris. Prices usually start at around £35 for the standard experience and can reach as high as £250 for a first-class seat.
Whatever choice you make, the train will arrive at the world-famous Gare du Nord station, which has great links to the main parts of the city, including the Parc des Princes. To get from the Gare du Nord to the stadium via train, you can use the Bagneux – Lucie Aubrac metro line to Strasbourg Saint-Denis. Changing at this stop onto the Pont de Sèvres line, head to Porte de Saint-Cloud. From here, there is a 5 to 10-minute walk to the stadium. Overall, the journey should take around 40 minutes.
Here are the main stations per country that can be used to get to Paris:
Belgium
- Brussels-Midi/Zuid
- Antwerp
- Liège
The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Centraal
- Rotterdam Centraal
Germany
- Cologne
- Aachen
- Düsseldorf
France
- Disneyland® Paris
- Lille Europe
- The French Alps
- The South of France
UK
- London St Pancras International
By Car
From the north & Charles de Gaulle Airport:
For the majority of fans traveling into Paris by plane, the Charles de Gaulle Airport will be the arrival point. Although the train could be the most optimal transport option, many will be renting a car to explore the area outside of Paris during their stay in France.
Located in the North-West of the city, you will need to approach in the south-east direction, starting on the A1, connecting onto Boulevard Périphérique, exiting towards Port de Passy, and finally taking Bd Suchet and Bd Murat to Rue Claude Farrère.
From the East
Approaching the city from the east, you have the option to take either the A4 or the A3 and then make your way onto the Boulevard Périphérique, which is the main ring road that surrounds the whole of the city. Follow the road to the west towards Porte de Saint Cloud. Once you are over the river, head towards Bd Murat, and you will find yourself within reach of the stadium.
From the South & Paris-Orly
If you are heading into Paris from the direction of Auxerre or have landed at Paris-Orly airport, you will need to approach the city from the south towards the southwest region of Paris.
From outside the city, you will need to connect onto the A6 and then make your way onto the A86, continuing all the way around until you reach Sèvres. Here, you will then link onto the D910 and cross the Pont de Sèvres.
Once in the surrounding areas of the Parc des Princes, you can either find your pre-arranged parking spot or, if the intention is to go directly to the stadium, take the Av. Victor Hugo and Av. Robert Schuman to Rue du Commandant Guilbaud.
From the Paris-Orly Airport, the same route applies; just ignore the A6 and head straight onto the A86.
From the West
Coming into Paris from the west may be the most straightforward entry point, as the Parc des Princes sits in the southwestern corner of the city. If approaching from the Versailles direction, the best bet would be to use one of the three main roads leading into the stadium area. These are the D910, the A13, and the N118. These routes will all bring you to the Boulevard Périphérique, from which you’ll be within proximity of the stadium.
Parking Facilities
Traditionally, parking facilities around big European stadiums tend to be somewhat tricky to access. However, rapid advances in technology have given rise to a number of excellent mobile apps and websites that allow driving fans to find and secure parking spots near the Parc des Princes before they get to the area. This can take away a lot of the stress pre-game, allowing more time to focus on important things, such as finding a drinking spot near the stadium.
Generally, parking spaces directly next to the stadium are not possible to obtain. The websites and applications that have addressed this issue work on giving you a spot closest to the optimal metro and train stations. Some of the best websites include the following:
Public Transport
Underground Trains
Like many of the famous European cities, the rail infrastructure is well equipped with the likes of the Eurostar and, in this case, the Metro. The Metro easily allows fans to get between the stadium and landmarks, hotels, airports, and other activities in good time.
From personal experience trying to figure out how to get around Paris, it is a ‘must’ to have a Navigo Pass or Navigo Easy Pass, which covers not only the Metro but the RER (the overground train) and the bus lines. This tap-and-go system takes away a degree of potential frustration, as you only need one card in your wallet to cover all your travel expenses.
Bus
Getting to the Parc des Princes by bus is one of the cheaper options, but it can be one of the more convoluted ones. Again, using the excellent Navigo system, the complexity gets dialled down a notch. To get your hands on a Navigo Pass, you can visit one of the official sales points around the cities. If you arrive via Eurostar or Plane, there will be plenty of options in the Gare du Nord or Airport, respectively.
Tips:
- With all public transportation in major European cities, be wary of your surroundings and make sure to keep a watchful eye on your belongings at all times, as pickpockets are known to frequent the metro and bus lines regularly.
- Scams are also known to be rife along the train lines, with fake inspectors demanding cash from tourists. In these situations, make sure to ask the inspector for their documentation to confirm they work for the RATP, the SNCF or the STIF.
- Try to avoid certain times of day when using the train systems. As with any busy city, commuting hours can be hectic at best. These hours are normally between 08.00-10.00 and 17.00-20.00.
Taxi
Taxis are always an option on match days. Despite their increased cost relative to public transport, they tend to smooth out the transportation process, taking away the hassle of making changes on train lines and long walks between bus stops. The best options within Paris for taxis are Uber and Bolt. Both ride-hailing apps work all across the country and can get you a taxi ride within minutes just by simply pressing a few buttons.
Travel Through Paris With Ease
Logistics and transportation are invariably part of traveling to watch sports that carry the most stress and hardly generate much joy. Arriving in Paris to watch PSG play and consequently having to figure out how to best get to the Parc des Princes can be overwhelming without the right information. With this guide, hopefully, the process has become clearer in your mind, and you can focus more of your energy on the world class football ahead.
