Paris by Métro
The Paris Metro (subway) system and RER (city light rail)
Old Paris Métro sign. (Photo by David Lefranc. © Paris Tourist Office)
The entire Paris public transport network (bus, Métro, RER, trams, etc.) is operated by RAPT (www.ratp.fr), and all uses the same system of tickets and passes (see the sidebar to the right for prices and details).
The Paris Métro
The Paris Métro (subway) is one of the best in Europe, a clean, efficient, and well interconnected system.
Finding the right Métro line
Using a Métro map, find which numbered line you want to take and the name of the last station in the direction you want to take it.
In the Métro tunnels, follow signs for that line and that last station to get on the train going the right way.
Transfers
You might have to transfer to another line to get to your destination (though usually not more than once per trip).
When transferring, follow the signs labeled correspondance toward the next line. Do not follow a sortie sign, unless you want to exit.
You can make unlimited transfers on one ticket so long as you don't exit the system—although you will often find yourself walking what seems to be halfway to your destination in the long tunnels that connect some transfer stations.
Métro tip
In most cities, subway car doors all open automatically when the train comes to a stop, but not in Paris.
Here, whether you're boarding or getting off, on most trains you must either push a big button or, in older cars, turn a crank knob to open the door.
This is surprisingly easy to forget. I can't count how many times I've stood on the train at my stop, staring stupidly at a closed door for a few seconds before sheepishly remembering to turn the knob.
The RER
You'll notice that most lines are numbered while others appear to be assigned letters. These lettered lines (A, B, C, and D) are technically not the Métro, but are part of the overlapping RER network.
This high-speed commuter light-rail system services only major stops within the city, and it extends farther out into the suburbs. It uses the same tickets as the Métro (except when you're traveling way out into the 'burbs, for which you'll have to buy a separate ticket), and you can transfer freely between the two systems.
Some RER lines are particularly useful; the C line, for instance, follows the left bank of the Seine closely (no Métro line does this) and also heads out to Versailles.
RER tip
The ends of all RER lines split off like the frayed ends of a rope as they leave the city, so make sure the train you board is heading out to the numbered fork you want (for example, the C line has seven different end destinations, C1 through C7).
Maps on the platforms show you the routes of each fork, and TV displays tell you when the next half dozen trains will be arriving and which number each one is.
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This article was last updated in June 2011. All information was accurate at the time.
Copyright © 1998–2012 by Reid Bramblett. All rights reserved.
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Unlimited rides on all Métro, RER, bus, tram, funiculars, and SNCF train lines in Paris.
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» Zones 1–5 covers out to the airports
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| 1 day | €9.75 ($15) | €20.50 ($31) |
| 2 days | €15.85 ($24) | €31.15 ($47) |
| 3 days | €21.60 ($33) | €43.65 ($66) |
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Paris Pass
Basically a Paris Visite card (above) bundled with the amazing Paris Museum Pass plus other sightseeing discounts.
• 2 days: €104 ($140)
• 4 days: €152 ($204)
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Individual tickets
Separate t+ tickets cost €1.70 (€1.90 if bought on board a bus).
» You can transfer within a system (bus-bus or Métro-Métro) on one ticket, but not between systems (bus-Métro)
More info
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