The subway in Paris is called the Métro, short for Métropolitain, and is easily recognizable by the yellow "M" sign at its entrances, serving as a fast and efficient way to travel within the city with its numerous interconnected lines.
Overview. Paris Metro lines are identified by numbers: Lines 1 - 14 run primarily within the city limits. RER lines are identified by letters: Lines A, B, and C run from the city center to the suburbs and the Paris airports. When you enter the Metro, you must choose which direction you will travel.
Line 6 (The BEST thanks to its Beautiful views of la Tour Eiffel and la Butte-aux-Cailles, amazing stations and it was the first métro line I travelled on as a child)
Ligne 1 : the oldest line of the network, it now serves the capital from east to west. From La Défense to the Château de Vincennes, passing by the Champs Elysées, Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. This line stops at the important monuments and squares in Paris. Today, over 700,000 commuters use this line every day.
In Paris, it's frowned upon to be loud, eat while walking (especially on public transport), skip basic French greetings like "Bonjour", dress too casually (sneakers and sweats), expect immediate English service, be rude to staff, or stop abruptly on busy sidewalks, with Parisians valuing politeness, quiet, and taking time for meals.
To access the Metro system you will need a ticket of one kind or another. Whatever ticket you have, (including travel passes) you insert the ticket into an automatic barrier which after validating the ticket allows you through.
The Navigo Easy card is your go-anywhere, do-anything ticket for most Metro, RER, tram, and city bus trips. Airport trips require their own fare, separate from basic Paris Metro tickets.
Métro. The Metro is the easiest, least expensive and quickest way to go out and to get home. Fourteen lines crisscross Greater Paris, from east to west and north to south. Good to know: As part of certain celebrations and events (New Year's Eve, Fête de la Musique, etc.), the Metro is open—and free—most of the night.
The Passe Navigo is the travel card used by the inhabitants of Paris and the cheapest way of getting around Paris.
8 tips for enjoying Paris while staying safe
Metro stations Trocadéro (line 9) and Ecole Militaire (line 8) are 15 minutes by foot from the Tower. Another option is line C of the RER train network, which serves the Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel station, located 5 minutes' walk from Entrance 1.
One of the things I love most about Paris is how walkable it is! 🚶♀️ Like many European cities, Paris is designed with pedestrians in mind. The streets are lined with charming cafés, beautiful parks, and stunning architecture, making every stroll an experience.
The Île-de-France transport network is divided into 5 concentric zones around Paris: Zone 1 is for central Paris, Zones 2 and 3 cover the towns closest to Paris, and. Zones 4 and 5 are the most distant towns in the Île-de-France region.
If you simply want to buy a ticket or reload your Navigo card at the station, use the ticket vending machines available on site. They are generally accessible during the opening hours of the relevant RER station or metro station.
Key takeaways
A single ticket costs €14 (or Navigo zones 1-5 pass accepted). The RER B runs from 4:50 a.m. to 11:50 p.m. from CDG 2 TGV station. The RER B also connects CDG Airport to Orly Airport by changing at Antony station for the Orlyval. Line B of the RER will be the subject of major works on 2025 and 2026.
Areas to Be Cautious In (Most Dangerous Places in Paris)
That $0.10 charge is a temporary authorization hold, not your actual fare, used to verify your contactless card works and has funds; it disappears as the final daily travel cost is calculated and charged as one single transaction later, usually within a day, and you might see it if you forget to tap off, triggering a default fare authorization instead.
Even at night, most of the central neighborhoods in Paris are safe as many people are out, enjoying the city's bustling nightlife, restaurants, and other night events. In 2024, The Economist ranked Paris as the 23rd safest city to live in out of 60 cities worldwide.
The 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 in Paris is one of the most unique and beautiful stations in the city. Located on Line 11 and Line 3, it was redesigned in 1994 to look like the inside of a steampunk submarine, inspired by Jules Verne's novels and the nearby Musée des Arts et Métiers.
Discovery Navigo Pass, for visitors and tourists
These two cards are strictly personal and cannot be used separately or by any other person. They must always be kept and presented together. This pass can be purchased for a fee of €5, and will not be replaced in the event of loss or theft.
Metro & Bus Etiquette
Step aside to let others off before boarding. Never stand in the doorway once inside—it's a guaranteed way to get a glare. Bags should go between your feet or on your lap, never on an empty seat. If someone older, pregnant, or with children boards, offering your seat is expected.
If you are going to be there Monday to Sunday the pass is worth it since it will cover both airport rides which is 11.80€ each way and all of your other metro rides. If your trip spans a Sunday, it might not be; depends on where else you are going and if you are going in days when the pass is valid.
You need to validate your ticket or card for each journey on each transport mode (RER, metro, bus, tram), including for every change on the bus and tram networks. Please keep your ticket until you leave the station, as ticket inspectors can ask to check it at any time.