UPDATED JANUARY 2023
It simply wouldn’t be Paris with out the Métropolitan (or Métro), some of the environment friendly and user-friendly subway programs on this planet. Its 14 traces (plus two smaller bis traces) crisscross town and the quick suburbs day by day from 5:45am-1am (2am on Saturdays), with connections to the RER and worldwide practice stations. Every line is designated by a quantity and its terminus factors (ie Line 1: Château de Vincennes – La Défense). Most stations will be reached with one or two modifications on the most. Maps are posted in Métro vehicles, on platforms (quais), and subsequent to ticket home windows. You too can ask for a free Métro map (un plan) from any ticket agent. You too can have a peek on the on-line map right here (click on on “metro” on the prime blue navigation bar, then on a metro quantity above the map to see a particular line route).
Reminder: In case you haven’t been to Paris since 2019, you’ll wish to replace your maps, since a number of traces have been prolonged (traces 4, 13, and 14) and also you’ll have to know the brand new terminus station names.
Particular person tickets value €2.10 every (€2.50 from the bus driver). Tickets are legitimate all through the RATP (Paris Transit Authority) community of Métro, bus, tram, Montmartre funicular, and RER traces inside the metropolis and quick suburbs (zones 1-2). Past zone 2, RER fares are increased and require completely different tickets (ie airports, Versailles).
The paper tickets — that are getting more durable to purchase — infamously demagnetize if stored subsequent to a smartphone or bank cards, and so they’re additionally an enormous waste of paper, so the RATP is transitioning to the Navigo Straightforward card which you can simply load the tickets onto the cardboard, then swipe and go. The cardboard is €2 (good for 10 years) that may then be charged with as many tickets as you want (as much as 20 particular person tickets, or two “carnets”, in addition to airport tickets, and one-day passes). The Straightforward Navigo playing cards don’t want a reputation and id photograph (so that you can provide it to another person while you’re completed with it), however can’t be used greater than as soon as for a similar journey (ie you’ll be able to’t have three folks undergo the turnstile with you). So every particular person in your group would wish their very own card. They are often bought and loaded at any ticket window the place there’s a human, and refilled at any of the ticket machines (or through the Bonjour RATP app with an NFC sensor in your smartphone, however this app doesn’t work on all smartphones, so take the time to check it).
It can save you cash by buying ten tickets without delay, referred to as a “carnet” for €16.90. These are not accessible as paper tickets, so that you’ll want the Navigo Straightforward card to buy these (and for some cause they appear to solely let you load two carnet per transaction). There’s additionally a vast 24-hour ticket is €8.45 inside Paris, as much as €20.10 if you wish to use it to entry the airports (the paper model is named Mobilis, and the one you cost onto your Navigo card is Navigo Jour; however they work the identical).
There are limitless journey passes for guests known as Paris Visite legitimate for 1 day (€13.55), or 2 (€22.05), 3 (€30.10) or 5 (€43.30) consecutive days, good anyplace in Paris (zones 1 to three). Double the worth for passes that embrace Paris and the Île-de-France area (all zones, together with airport connections, Orlyval, Disneyland Paris and Château de Versailles). That is good in case you don’t wish to stress about what number of tickets you could have left and plan on taking a lot of quick journeys. There are additionally a bunch of reductions for different vacationer stuff together with your go, like river cruises and cabaret exhibits (however truthfully most individuals pre-purchase that stuff anyway). The draw back is that it’s solely accessible as a paper ticket which might demagnetize (you should definitely hold the receipt in case you might want to trade it). You want to write your title and the date you begin utilizing it on the ticket to point out in case you’re stopped by safety.
There are additionally limitless weekly, month-to-month and annual passes meant for Parisians and commuters from the area. The weekly go is sweet Monday-Sunday (€30) and the month-to-month go begins on the primary of the month (€84.10), so as much as you if it appears logical to make use of these in your journey if it begins mid-week or mid-month. You’ll want a French checking account to have the ability to get an annual go (€925.10/12 months), as they take the funds robotically every month, however it may be began at any second.
In case you’re a pupil or employee residing in Paris, there are different passes particularly tailored for you, try the RATP web site.
In case you’ve received a paper ticket, stick it within the slot and take it when it pops out the opposite aspect earlier than shifting by means of the turnstile. You’ll have to hold this till you exit the metro as proof of cost, and also you’ll want it to exit the RER by placing it by means of the turnstile once more. When you’ve got a plastic go of any variety, you simply wave it in entrance of the purple circle and also you’ll hear a ding and see a inexperienced mild to go by means of the turnstile (it’ll additionally present you what number of tickets you could have left).
Inside the Métro, a single ticket is sweet for one journey with limitless transfers (correspondences) so long as you don’t exit. You’ll be able to switch between metros and RERs with the identical ticket for as much as 2 hours, and you’ll switch between busses and trams with one ticket (for as much as 90 minutes). However oddly, you’ll be able to’t switch between metro and busses, or between trams and metros (you might want to use one other ticket).
Reminder: Have your paper ticket or card on you always when touring; you’ll want it to show you’ve paid if the RATP officers do a random examine. You’ll additionally want it to exit from RER stations.
All RATP tickets, carnets and passes are 50% off for teenagers 4-9. Youngsters beneath 4 journey without spending a dime (in case you’re a Paris resident, examine the charges as a result of children often have free transport in case you reside right here). Dad and mom with cumbersome strollers (which aren’t advisable) can keep away from the turnstiles by asking brokers on the ticket window to open the aspect gate, if there’s one. Be ready for lengthy tunnels and quite a few stairs all through the Métro and RER.
- Normal Guidelines & Etiquette
Smoking, consuming and consuming on the Métro and RER isn’t allowed (though it’s mildly tolerated on the platform). Don’t put your toes or baggage on the seats. The fold-down seats shouldn’t be used when the automobile is crowded. Don’t attempt to bounce on on the final second, even in case you see daredevil Parisians doing it.
It’s additionally not advisable to speak so loudly that everybody can hear your dialog. It’s thought of impolite in France, and even in case you suppose they’ll’t perceive you, most of them can (and so can the entire different native English audio system who’re cringing in horror).
The most secure place for anybody touring alone at night time is within the first automobile instantly behind the motive force. When you’ve got any issues, use the yellow emergency name bins discovered on each platform.
Watch out for pickpockets in crowded vehicles, particularly throughout the jostle of getting on or off. Some folks will squeeze in proper behind you on the ticket turnstiles to get in with out paying; be sure they’re not going by means of your pockets on the similar time!
- Entry for these with Impaired Mobility
Solely Line 14 is totally accessible right now. The remainder of the Métro/RER system is barely partially accessible for folks with diminished mobility. There are turnstiles, lengthy halls with many stairs, and escalators and elevators which are ceaselessly out of order. Meaning anybody carrying heavy baggage, pushing a stroller, in a wheelchair, or having a nasty knee day ought to take the bus (which have ramps) or taxi.
