UPDATED JANUARY 2023
It simply wouldn’t be Paris with out the Métropolitan (or Métro), some of the environment friendly and user-friendly subway methods on the earth. Its 14 traces (plus two smaller bis traces) crisscross the town and the fast suburbs each day from 5:45am-1am (2am on Saturdays), with connections to the RER and worldwide prepare 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 adjustments on the most. Maps are posted in Métro automobiles, on platforms (quais), and subsequent to ticket home windows. You can even ask for a free Métro map (un plan) from any ticket agent. You can even have a peek on the on-line map right here (click on on “metro” on the high blue navigation bar, then on a metro quantity above the map to see a selected line route).
Reminder: In the event you haven’t been to Paris since 2019, you’ll need to replace your maps, since a number of traces have been prolonged (traces 4, 13, and 14) and also you’ll must know the brand new terminus station names.
Particular person tickets price €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 throughout the metropolis and fast suburbs (zones 1-2). Past zone 2, RER fares are larger and require completely different tickets (ie airports, Versailles).
The paper tickets — that are getting tougher to purchase — infamously demagnetize if saved 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 you could 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 picture (so that you may give 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 may’t have three individuals undergo the turnstile with you). So every particular person in your group would want 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 directly, 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 purpose 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 known as 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 referred to 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 need to stress about what number of tickets you’ve gotten left and plan on taking numerous brief journeys. There are additionally a bunch of reductions for different vacationer stuff together with your cross, like river cruises and cabaret reveals (however actually most individuals pre-purchase that stuff anyway). The draw back is that it’s solely accessible as a paper ticket which might demagnetize (make sure you maintain the receipt in case you want to trade it). It’s worthwhile to write your title and the date you begin utilizing it on the ticket to indicate 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 cross is sweet Monday-Sunday (€30) and the month-to-month cross 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 cross (€925.10/12 months), as they take the funds routinely every month, however it may be began at any second.
In the event you’re a scholar or employee residing in Paris, there are different passes particularly tailored for you, try the RATP web site.
In the event you’ve obtained 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 must maintain this till you exit the metro as proof of fee, 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 cross 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 cross by means of the turnstile (it would additionally present you what number of tickets you’ve gotten left).
Throughout the Métro, a single ticket is sweet for one journey with limitless transfers (correspondences) so long as you don’t exit. You may 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 may’t switch between metro and busses, or between trams and metros (you 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. Children beneath 4 trip 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 stay right here). Mother and father with cumbersome strollers (which aren’t beneficial) can keep away from the turnstiles by asking brokers on the ticket window to open the aspect gate, if there may be one. Be ready for lengthy tunnels and quite a few stairs all through the Métro and RER.
- Basic Guidelines & Etiquette
Smoking, consuming and consuming on the Métro and RER shouldn’t be 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 soar on on the final second, even in case you see daredevil Parisians doing it.
It’s additionally not beneficial to speak so loudly that everybody can hear your dialog. It’s thought-about 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 evening is within the first automobile straight 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 automobiles, particularly throughout the jostle of getting on or off. Some individuals will squeeze in proper behind you on the ticket turnstiles to get in with out paying; be sure that 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 immediately. The remainder of the Métro/RER system is barely partially accessible for individuals with lowered mobility. There are turnstiles, lengthy halls with many stairs, and escalators and elevators which can be ceaselessly out of order. Meaning anybody carrying heavy baggage, pushing a stroller, in a wheelchair, or having a foul knee day ought to take the bus (which have ramps) or taxi.
