6 Causes Vacationers Getting Fined on the Paris Metro

Navigating the Paris Metro might sound daunting, particularly for vacationers. With a posh ticketing system, strict guidelines, and occasional language obstacles, it’s simple to make easy errors that would result in surprising fines.

That can assist you keep away from these frequent pitfalls, I’ve put collectively a information that particulars the highest causes vacationers find yourself paying extra than simply their fare whereas exploring Paris by Metro.

Salut, I’m Lena – journey planning knowledgeable and parisienne since 2006 🩷

6 Causes you get fined on the Metro

From understanding ticket varieties to figuring out correct metro etiquette, right here’s every thing you have to know earlier than you go to maintain your journey easy and penalty-free.

The identical guidelines apply as properly for buses and trams!

Additionally learn my full information on How To Use The Parisian Metro in 2024

#1 You Purchase the Improper Metro Ticket

When utilizing the Metro, or any public transportation in Paris, you see your self confronted with numerous ticket choices. And right here’s the issue: a standard purpose to get fined is solely that you just purchased the unsuitable ticket.

• Senior’s: Many suppose the tarif réduit ticket covers older folks. It doesn’t.
• Child’s: A tarif réduit youngster ticket is just for youngsters as much as 9 years outdated. In case your youngster is older, you want a full ticket. Older means from 10 years on.
• Vacation spot Combine-up: Tickets just like the billet + are for central Paris and adjoining suburbs solely. Heading to Versailles, Disneyland, or the airport? You’ll want a distinct ticket.

#2 You Trash Your Metro Ticket

Validating your ticket and placing it within the bin? That’s a really protected manner if you’re aiming to get positive. You will need to preserve your ticket till you exit the metro station. For those who throw it away after getting into, and there’s a spot verify, you’ll face a positive for not with the ability to present proof of cost.

And no different proof of cost is accepted than your ticket.

#3 You Don’t Validate Your Metro Ticket

Some guests both neglect or don’t notice they should validate their tickets earlier than getting into the metro.

This rule applies even when the turnstiles! Which certainly may counsel that validation isn’t essential. However in truth, it’s. Ask an worker on the ticket sales space to validate your ticket for you.

If there may be no person round to assist, take a photograph from the station or higher, a video, and be aware down the station title.

It occurs much less on Metros and RER trains as a result of you have to validate your ticket to get via the turnstiles. However slips simpler if you happen to’re touring by bus or tram.

#4 You Don’t Respect the Guidelines

A easy however usually costly mistake is disrespecting the metro’s guidelines. Not too long ago, I learn surprisingly usually posts from folks complaining about impolite controllers fining them for one thing so minor as inserting their toes on the seat.

It must be frequent sense, however if you happen to’re caught doing this, you’ll be fined. And this counts as properly on your youngsters. Sustaining correct decorum helps make sure that everybody’s journey is snug and nice.

#5 Your Ticket Is Not Stuffed Out

Most tickets don’t require you something to do, however for some tickets, some motion could be required. So in case your ticket has a line so that you can write the date or a reputation on, or a area to stay a photograph, it’s not optionally available. If the data is lacking, you’re fined.

#6 You Purchased A Ticket from A Scammer

Complete bummer, but it surely occurs and ultimately it’s you who pays the positive, so be careful for this rip-off:

Pretend ticket brokers who look very official supply their assist shopping for your ticket on the ticket machines. After which they both have you ever pay for per week ticket however hand you a ticket+ legitimate for a single journey, or a youngsters’s ticket as an alternative of a full fare ticket.

What to do if you happen to get fined?

Firstly, don’t panic, keep calm after which… there may be not a lot you are able to do about it besides to pay your positive. The positive is normally between €35 and €60.

So, if you end up surrounded (and intimidated) by a crew of 5 RATP Brokers, it’s not a rip-off they usually don’t goal vacationers. Frankly, the difficulty is in 99% of instances one of many 6 causes above.

pay your Paris Metro positive?

The best method to pay your positive is on the spot in both money or by bank card. It’s additionally cheaper as you profit from a discount. I’m penning this right here as a result of I usually learn that folks really feel scammed by precisely that: Pay immediately, and will probably be cheaper. However that’s the way it works.

Alternatively, and if you’re not residing overseas, you possibly can have your invoice despatched to your house tackle. For this, you want to have the ability to present a legitimate ID that states your tackle.

For those who can’t do both, pay on the spot nor present a French tackle, they could name the police.

There’s one exception:

In case you are 100% positive that you just adopted each recommendation that I listed above, and your ticket have to be appropriate, the “RATP brokers” could be faux brokers. It’s VERY uncommon, however if you’re suspicious, ask for his or her ID and request the police.

If they’re faux, they’ll attempt to strain you into paying, however finally allow you to go earlier than you name the police.

Parisienne since 2006 🩷

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