The city of Paris has a very developed public transport network including metros, trains, trams and buses.

These networks are managed by two companies: The RATP (metros, buses, trams and RER inside Paris) and the SNCF (RER outside Paris, Transiliens and some trams).

Tickets can be bought at the cash desks or on vending machines in train and metro stations. They can also be purchased from licensed tobacconists or online on the Parisinfo website.
For tourists spending several days in Paris, the « Paris Visite Pass » ticket allow unlimited use of public transport in zones 1 to 3 or 1 to 6 for 1 to 5 days. Its price depends on the selected zones and duration. These special tickets can be purchased at stations or ordered online here.

Tickets must be presented to access the platforms, then when leaving a RER or Transilien station, but not from metro station. Tickets must also be inserted in the gates for connections, such as those between metro and RER for example, and they may be requested in the event of control by security agents. In the case of transport ticket lose, fine will be applied.

Lines directions are indicated by the terminus to which the metro, train, tram or bus travels. These directions are indicated on the signs leading to the platforms and on the platforms panels indicating waiting times.

Paper public transport lines maps are available at the stations cash desks.

Please note: Pickpockets may be present in public transport and in stations. Watch your personal belongings.

For more information, see the recommendations in the NEED TO KNOW chapter

  Metro

It is the fastest and cheapest way to explore Paris.

Metro stations entrances are indicated by a large yellow « M » letter. Sometimes, « métropolitain » signs are also present at the stations entrance.

Metro lines are indicated by colored numbers from 1 to 14 and by M logos.

Hours: from 5:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. (week) and from 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. (week-ends).

Price: €1.90 per trip (t+ ticket) or €16.90 for 10 tickets (10 trips). Free for children under 4 and half price for children between 4 and 9 years old.

These tickets give access to metros, RER, trams and buses in Paris with one connection (metro/RER or bus/tram only). In metros and RER, tickets are valid 2h after the first validation.

Daily, weekly or monthly tickets are also available. Their prices depend on the selected « zones ». Zone 1 corresponds to Paris center and zone 5 to the most distant suburbs.

 

Some metro stations are not equipped to accomodate people with reduced mobility.

The Parisian metro has 16 different lines, including 2 fully automatic (lines 1 and 14) and 302 stations.

Metro lines 2 and 6 have aerial parts from which it is possible to admire some of Paris monuments.

The Parisian metro is particularly crowded during rush hour (from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and sometimes you have to let one or two metros pass before being able to get into a wagon.

  Trains: RER and Transiliens

In addition to metro lines, 5 RER lines and 8 Transiliens lines allow you to get around Paris and its suburbs.

RER lines are indicated by colored letters going from A to E and Transiliens lines by colored letters going from H to U.

 To use these trains inside Paris, a €1.90 ticket is sufficient. However, to go to the suburbs (including airports), the price of the ticket depends on the traveled distance. It is therefore necessary to specify the destination when buying the ticket. Similarly, to go to Paris from the suburbs, the ticket price will vary depending on the departure station.

Trams

Trams can also be used to circulate in Paris. There are 10 different tram lines. They are indicated by T logos and colored numbers going from 1 to 11.

Price: €1.90 per trip (t+ ticket) or €16.90 for 10 tickets (10 trips). Free for children under 4 and half price for children between 4 and 9 years old.

These tickets are the same as those used for metro. Once validated in the tram, they are valid for 1.5 hours and allow you to take another tram or bus (connection).

 

Buses

Traveling by bus in Paris allows you to enjoy the landscape and may be more suitable for the elderly or for people with reduced mobility.

 Price: €1.90 per trip (t+ ticket) or €16.90 for 10 tickets (10 trips). Free for children under 4 and half price for children between 4 and 9 years old.

These tickets are the same as those used for metro. Once validated in the bus, they are valid for 1.5 hours and allow you to take another bus or tram (connection).

Tickets can also be purchased directly on the bus for €2.

Buses run all night from Paris to its periphery and between the main stations (evry hour). These buses are called Noctiliens.

Travel from and to Paris airports:

  • Charles de Gaulle airport

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport is accessible by the RER line B or by various bus lines: RoissyBus, lines 350 or 351.   

More information on RoissyBus here.

Orly airport

Orly airport is reachable by the RER line C (and GoParis shuttle) or by the RER line B (and the OrlyVal bus), by the tram line 7 or by various bus lines: OrlyVal, OrlyBus or line 183.     

More information on the OrlyVal here.

More information on the OrlyBus (283 bus) here.

A public transport map serving Parisian airports can be consulted here.

To find your route through Paris, go to the official RATP or SNCF websites or the CityMapper application.

Plans of the various Parisian public transport are available online on the RATP official website.

 

For more information, the different transport tickets are presented on the RATP official website.

A problem, an idea or just want to exchange

Do not hesitate to contact us

contact@SmileInParis.fr