Using the Paris Metro
For longer distances, the Paris Metro is one of the easiest, fastest, and most affordable ways to get around.
How to Use the Paris Metro
Paris is one of the best cities in the world to explore on foot. From the studio, many of the city’s most beloved sights, cafés, museums, and neighborhoods are within a beautiful walk.
For longer distances, the Paris Metro is one of the easiest, fastest, and most affordable ways to get around. If you are visiting Paris for the first time, public transportation in another language can feel intimidating at first. This guide will help you understand the basics so you can use the Metro with more confidence.
Quick Start Guide
For most guests, the easiest way to use public transportation in Paris is to:
Download the Bonjour RATP app or the Île-de-France Mobilités app.
Use the app to search your route.
Buy or load tickets directly on your phone, if supported by your device.
Follow the line number, direction, and station names listed in the app.
Keep your ticket, pass, or phone available until you have fully exited the station.
Bonjour RATP
Île-de-France Mobilités
What is the Paris Metro?
The Paris Metro is the city’s underground train system. It opened in 1900 and now includes a large network of numbered lines connecting neighborhoods across Paris and nearby suburbs.
You may also see references to:
Metro — the underground subway system
RER — regional trains that connect central Paris with farther destinations, including airports and Versailles
Bus and tram — above-ground public transportation
RATP / Île-de-France Mobilités — names you may see on apps, tickets, signs, and official transportation information
The Metro is especially helpful when a destination is too far to walk, when the weather is poor, or when you want to cross the city quickly.
Understanding Tickets and Passes
For most visitors, the simplest option is to buy tickets through the Bonjour RATP app or the Île-de-France Mobilités app.
The current ticket system is simpler than it used to be. A standard Metro-Train-RER ticket can be used for Metro, train, and RER travel within the Île-de-France region, excluding airport stations.
Airport travel is different. Trips to or from Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport require a specific Paris Region Airports ticket.
If you prefer not to use your phone, you can also buy tickets or a Navigo Easy pass at many Metro stations, RER stations, train stations, and airports.
Getting to Common Destinations
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Most major Paris attractions are easy to reach by walking, Metro, or RER, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and Montmartre.
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To visit the Château de Versailles, take the RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche.
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To travel to or from Charles de Gaulle Airport, use the RER B and follow signs for the appropriate airport station.
Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 serves Terminals 1 and 3.
Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV serves Terminal 2.
Airport trips require a Paris Region Airports ticket.
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Orly Airport can be reached by Metro Line 14 to Aéroport d’Orly.
Airport trips require a Paris Region Airports ticket.
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To visit Disneyland Paris, take the RER A to Marne-la-Vallée — Chessy.
Helpful Metro Tips
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Keep your paper ticket, phone ticket, or pass until you have fully exited the station. Fare checks do happen, and passengers may be fined if they cannot show valid proof of payment.
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Metro lines are identified by number and direction. The direction is usually the name of the final stop on the line. Before boarding, make sure you are heading toward the correct final station.
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As in any major city, stay aware of your surroundings. Keep bags zipped and close to your body, especially in crowded stations and trains. Phones and wallets are safest in a zipped bag or front pocket.
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The Metro generally runs from around 5:30 AM to 1:15 AM. On Friday and Saturday nights, and on the evenings before public holidays, service usually runs later, until around 2:15 AM.
Always check the app for the most current schedule, especially for early morning or late-night travel.
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Children under age 4 generally ride free. Children ages 4 to 10 may be eligible for reduced fares. Each child still needs their own ticket or pass when required.
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On some Metro trains, the doors do not open automatically. You may need to press a button or lift a handle to open the door. Watch what other passengers do and follow their lead.
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Some of the most beautiful Metro entrances in Paris were designed by Hector Guimard in the Art Nouveau style. Several are easy to see from the studio area, including entrances near Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre, Cité, and Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame.
A Final Note
The Metro may feel confusing the first time you use it, but most guests become comfortable quickly. Use the app, follow the line number and direction, and give yourself a little extra time for your first trip. When in doubt, walking is always a wonderful option in Paris.