Paris Metro (Subway)
Metro is the most convenient and cheapest way to get from
a place to another downtown Paris. Paris metro (subway) is the densest in the
world with about 300 stations concentrated in a rather small area. Stations are
indeed very close to each other. There are 14
lines numbered 1 to 14 each of them beeing identified by a colour and a name (name
of the terminus stations). Please find here below information about Metro
(Subway) in Paris: Map, safety, tickets, tips...
Metro map
Plan your route before coming to Paris. Look at the
subway map to get acquainted with the city.
See:
Paris metro map
Taking the metro in Paris: Tips and informations
Taking the metro is quite easy in Paris. The first thing
visitors should do upon arrival is to get a free metro map at the hotel or in
any subway station (You can also print the one above). The only two things to
know for an easy ride are the line number and the direction.
Tickets and timetables
Where to buy tickets: Tickets can be purchased at
the vending machines (Many different languages available) or at the ticket
office at the entrance of every station.
Tickets price: The current
single ticket price (June 2011) is 1.70 Euros. Price for a book of ten tickets
is 12 Euros (1,20 Euros each). Unlimited Pass for one day is 9.30 Euros (15.20
for 2 days, 20.70 Euros for 3...).
Tips: Visitors should keep their
ticket handy as ticket controllers may check its validity any time.
Timetables - Opening hours: Service is operated between 5.30am and 0.30am
(Except on Fridays and Saturdays 1.30am).
Difference between Metro and RER
What is the difference between Metro and RER? The
Metro just serves central Paris. The RER is a commuter rail network. The RER
trains travel faster than the Metro bus there are fewer stops, which are further
apart. A specific ticket should be used for the RER (No flat rate - Price change
with destination).
Safety tips
Is the metro safe in Paris? Yes the metro is
considered as quite safe by most parisians or tourists. However visitors should
be particularly vigilant of pickpockets as many operate here. Pick pockets
usually work in small groups. When one or two of them try to distract attention
another one is picking pockets. In any case travellers shouldn't leave their
belongings unattended and try to minimize access to their pockets or purses.
Public transport strike
Public transport strikes are fairly common in Paris. It
indeed happens nearly every month: Subway traffic is affected by a protest of
train drivers. It may only hit a specific line of the all Metro network. It may
last just a couple of hours or a few weeks (One month in November 1995)...
Read more:
Public transport strike in Paris
More about...
Here is our
selection of useful resources:
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