Planning to visit Disneyland and sorting out the logistics? Here’s what you need to know before you go!
This guide to getting from Central Paris to Disneyland Paris was co-written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Guest post by Amber Haggerty
For many families, a visit to Disneyland is an essential and magical part of their Paris itinerary. Still, sorting out the logistics in a new city can be overwhelming, even somewhere with a great train system like Paris.
Luckily, you can easily access Disneyland from Central Paris by taking public transit or organizing a transfer.
No matter your comfort level with navigating a new country, this post has you covered. You’ll learn all of the best ways to get from Paris to Disneyland Paris (and back again).
How to Get to Disneyland Paris from Central Paris
Disneyland Paris is located about 44 kilometers (27 miles) from central Paris, so you’ll need to travel about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the park. How you choose to travel is up to you, with options including public transit, shuttle buses, and private cars.
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RER A Train
The most economical way to get to Disneyland Paris is to take the RER A train, which stops right near the entrance to the theme park. The RER A stop for Disneyland Paris is called Marne-la-Vallée, but you can also just look for the little Mickey Mouse icon on maps for the Metro.
Depending on where you stay in Paris, you may need to take another metro line or bus in order to reach the RER A line. Here are some kid-friendly Paris hotels that are great for families.
Be sure that you buy a ticket that includes Disneyland Paris as your final destination, or you could face fines when you try to leave the Metro at your final destination.
The tickets to reach Disneyland Paris are about €5, approximately double the cost of a normal Metro ticket in Paris. The Paris Metro is free for children under 4 years old, and half priced for children aged 4 to 12. If you have trouble purchasing tickets, visit a help desk near the entrance gates to the Metro.
If you’re taking the train back, be aware that it could be hard to travel with large balloons. Keep this in mind when buying souvenirs at Disneyland Paris.
Taxi or Uber
You can take a taxi, an Uber, or a Bolt directly from central Paris to Disneyland. Unless you speak French, I advise that you use a rideshare app or ask your hotel to call a taxi for you so that they can give the correct details. Taxis typically accept credit cards, but it’s a good idea to have cash just in case.
When I’m in Paris, I prefer to use Uber because it allows me to pay by card, manually add my destination (avoiding confusion and language barriers), and I can add stops along the way, if needed.
Disneyland Paris Express Shuttle
For those staying in central Paris, you can catch the Disneyland Paris Express Shuttle from a few locations in the city direct to the park.
The buses pick up from near the Eiffel Tower, Opéra, Châtelet, and Gare du Nord and drop off directly at the park. As of this writing, shuttle tickets cost €53 per person over the age of 3.
If you’re staying in central Paris, the shuttle is very convenient but be aware that it’s one of the most expensive transit options available.
Note: There is only one shuttle bus per direction per day, departing Paris between 8:15 and 9am (depending on your stop) and arriving at Disneyland between 9:30 and 9:45am. The return shuttle departs Disneyland Paris at 9pm.
Always double-check shuttle information and be ready at your stop at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Private Shuttle
Unless you’re traveling in a large group, a private shuttle is probably overkill for your visit to Disneyland Paris. Instead, you can easily order a taxi through your hotel or an Uber using the standard app.
Taxis and Ubers are typically cheaper than a private shuttle and more flexible because you can call them whenever you’re ready.
However, if you’re traveling in a large group and need to arrange transportation, S.A.R.L. Comfort Cars can accommodate up to 8 passengers.
This transfer service will pick you up directly from your hotel in Paris and drop off directly at Disneyland or a hotel near the park. Drivers will also help you with your luggage, if needed.
Rental Car
One of the great things about the City of Light is that it’s very easy to get around without a car in Paris.
You’re better off using a train or an Uber to get to Disneyland Paris. Compared to other forms of transit in Paris, rental cars are an expensive and inefficient way to get around for most travelers. The only real exception is for travelers who are continuing on to other parts of France and will be driving themselves.
Should you decide to rent a car, you pick it up either at the airport or at a local office within Paris.
Tips for Taking the RER Train to Disneyland Paris
Although the RER is generally easy to use, there are some tips to have a smooth experience. From buying the right ticket to avoiding pickpockets, here’s the information you need to know before you head off for Disneyland Paris.
Use Google Maps to Plan Your Train Journey
The easiest way to plan your route to Disneyland Paris is by using Google Maps. Download the app on your phone and use it to plan which trains you’ll take, where you’ll transfer, and to estimate arrival times.
Because Google Maps can see your live location, you can also double-check that you’re traveling in the right direction once the train has started moving. If it turns out that you went the wrong way, simply hop off at the next stop and get on a train in the opposite direction.
Buy the Right Ticket
One of the biggest and most consequential mistakes you can make when taking the RER is to buy the wrong ticket.
You’ll need to reenter your ticket to exit the train station when you arrive at Disneyland. If you buy the wrong ticket and are unable to exit, you could face a fine – and the staff are notoriously unforgiving when travelers make this mistake.
It’s much easier to simply buy the correct ticket, which is only about €5 (versus the standard metro ticket, which is a little over €2). Use the kiosks at the train station and select your departure station then Disneyland Paris as the destination. As for help at the service desk if you have any issues.
Double Check Your Departure Train
The RER trains run through Paris and the surrounding region, so you can end up quite far from Disneyland if you get on the wrong train. Before you board the train, double check both the destination and the direction of the train using the screens right next to the tracks.
If you need help or aren’t sure, ask someone who looks local or an official.
Watch Your Belongings On the Train
Although Paris is generally a safe city to visit, pickpockets and petty thieves are an issue, especially near tourist areas and on the metro. To protect yourself, take care to secure any valuables out of easy reach and keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
Do not keep valuables loose in an unzipped pocket, where they’re easy to swipe.
Be especially careful with cell phones, wallets, and cash. The safest option is a cross body bag that you wear in front of you, with the zipper turned towards your body. You can also consider wearing a money belt to keep your cash and other valuables safely tucked underneath your clothes.
Leave Extra Time
The trains to Disneyland Paris run fairly frequently, but it’s always a good idea to leave extra time in case you get turned around or end up on the wrong train. If you leave Disneyland Paris directly for the airport, be sure to leave at least three hours to get through security for international flights.
You definitely do not want to be rushing to get to or from Disneyland on the RER; that’s sure to be a very stressful situation.
Leave yourself plenty of time so that you can navigate the train system at a leisurely pace. You’ll be less likely to make mistakes if you’re not rushing, and it’ll help keep everyone’s spirits high.
Conclusion
Don’t be intimidated by the Paris train system, it’s easy to use even if you don’t typically take public transit when you travel. The RER is easy to use, and you’ll see lots of other people setting off for their trip to Disney on the train with you.
However, if you decide you’d rather not bother with the RER, there are several other options available. You can grab an Uber, a taxi, or hire a private driver from your hotel or another part of central Paris. Just don’t bother renting a car, because it’ll be more trouble than it is worth.
About Amber
Amber runs Amber Everywhere, a blog dedicated to encouraging others to travel. Amber is originally from Colorado, but now she now lives in Europe and writes about her experiences traveling and living abroad.
Looking for more Disneyland Paris content? Check out Experience Magic at the Best Disneyland Paris Hotel for Families, The 7 Biggest Disneyland Paris Mistakes You’re Making and How to Avoid Them, Disneyland Paris One Day Itinerary: Everything You Need to Know, and 15 Tips for a Disneyland Paris with a Baby and Preschooler!
