Travel Tips

Watch Out: Bicycle Taxi Scam in Paris

Paris Top Ten By Paris Top Ten
March 5, 2026 Updated: June 29, 2026 2 min read
The Louvre, a vast museum in Paris, France, is renowned for its extensive art collection and historic architecture.

Last week, I embarked on my first adventure to the beautiful city of Paris. The architecture was stunning, the people were friendly, and let’s not even get started on the amazing food—I’m still dreaming about those croissants! But alas, not all was rosy on this trip. I discovered the darker side of tourist life and thought I should share my experience so you can avoid making the same mistake.

The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, showcasing its iconic glass pyramid under a clear blue sky during the daytime.
Stockbym – stock.adobe.com

Picture this: we were at the Louvre, soaking in the art and culture, when a charming individual approached us, offering a ride in their white bicycle cab (kind of like a tuk-tuk). They promised to whisk us away to the most popular sights with a shiny piece of paper showing their prices.

In our case, it was advertised at just 25 euros to the Eiffel Tower. Sounds like a steal, right?

Bicycle taxi navigating the streets of Paris
Studio Laure / Adobe Stock

Well, here’s where it gets tricky. Either this lovely lady cleverly covered up the small print with a ‘per person’ label or she simply swapped the note when we weren’t looking. By the time we reached the Eiffel Tower, we were blindsided with the revelation that it was actually 25 euros per person, not a total fare! So, surprise! We ended up shelling out 50 euros for a short trip, much to our chagrin.

People relax on the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower, enjoying a sunny day at the Eiffel Tower Grounds in Paris.
phalia / Adobe Stock

We didn’t want to throw a scene, especially since we were on vacation, so we just paid and walked away feeling a tad ripped off—I mean, a quick Google search later confirmed our suspicions.

So, here’s my advice to you: if you ever find yourself in Paris and are tempted to hop into one of these tuk-tuks, hold your horses! Make sure to take a close look at the price list they show you or better yet, snap a photo for proof that it doesn’t say ‘per person’.

Stay savvy, fellow travelers! Don’t let a scam tarnish your travel adventures. Until next time, bon voyage!

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Paris travel writer, researcher, and curator focusing on authentic experiences, historic dining, and verified itineraries.

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