Public Transportation in Paris, France

Paris offers a dense and efficient public transportation network, managed primarily by the RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) and SNCF Transilien for regional trains. This guide will help you navigate the city like a local, using the Metro, RER, buses, and trams.

I. Ticketing and Passes: Your Key to Paris Transport

Understanding Paris’s ticketing system is crucial as it can save you money and time. The city is divided into zones, with central Paris being Zone 1. Most tourist attractions are within Zones 1-3, but airports, Versailles, and Disneyland are in outer zones (Zone 4 or 5).

A. T+ Ticket (Ticket t+)

This is the standard single-journey ticket.

  • What it covers: One journey on the Metro, RER (within Zone 1), tram, or bus. You can transfer between Metro/RER, or between buses/trams, within a 90-minute period from first validation, but not from Metro/RER to bus/tram or vice versa with the same ticket.
  • Cost: A single T+ ticket costs around €2.15 (as of mid-2024).
  • Carnet: It’s more economical to buy a carnet of 10 T+ tickets for around €17.35, saving you a bit per ticket.
  • Purchase: Available at Metro/RER station ticket machines (machines have English options and accept coins/cards), ticket counters, and some tabacs (tobacco shops).
  • Validation: You must validate your ticket by inserting it into the turnstile upon entry to the Metro/RER, or by stamping it in the machine on buses/trams. Keep your ticket until you exit the station or finish your journey, as inspectors frequently check. Fines for unvalidated tickets are steep!
  • Important: A T+ ticket is valid for one Metro/RER journey within Zone 1. If you travel outside Zone 1 on the RER, you need a different ticket (see below).

B. Navigo Découverte (Weekly/Monthly Pass)

This is often the best value for visitors staying a full week (Monday-Sunday).

  • Eligibility: Anyone can buy it, regardless of residency.
  • How it works: It’s a smart card you load with a weekly (forfait semaine) or monthly (forfait mois) pass.
  • Validity: The weekly pass runs strictly from Monday to Sunday. If you arrive on a Thursday, you’ll only get four days of use. You can buy it from Friday for the following week.
  • Zones: You choose the zones you want the pass to cover (e.g., Zones 1-5 for comprehensive coverage including airports and Versailles).
  • Cost: The card itself costs €5 (non-refundable). The weekly pass for Zones 1-5 is around €30-35 (as of mid-2024), making it very cost-effective if used frequently.
  • Requirements: You’ll need a small passport-sized photo (or a close-up photo of yourself) to attach to the card, and you must write your name on it. You can print photos at photo booths in larger Metro stations or prepare one beforehand.
  • Purchase: At Metro/RER station ticket counters.
  • Benefits: Unlimited travel within your chosen zones on Metro, RER, bus, tram, and the Montmartre Funicular.

C. Navigo Easy (Reloadable Card)

A new, more flexible option for occasional travel.

  • How it works: A small plastic card that you can load with T+ tickets (single or carnet), special bus tickets, or airport tickets.
  • Cost: The card itself costs €2 (non-refundable).
  • Benefits: No more paper tickets that get demagnetized, and it’s reusable. Good for those not staying a full week or who don’t need unlimited travel.
  • Purchase: At Metro/RER station ticket machines or counters.

D. Paris Visite Pass

Designed specifically for tourists.

  • How it works: A paper pass offering unlimited travel for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days.
  • Validity: Starts on the day you choose, unlike the Navigo Découverte’s fixed week.
  • Zones: You choose zones (1-3 for central Paris, or 1-5 for wider coverage including airports, Versailles, Disneyland).
  • Cost: Generally more expensive than a Navigo Découverte if you’re there for a full Monday-Sunday week. For example, a 5-day Zone 1-3 pass can be around €40, while a 5-day Zone 1-5 pass can be around €65.
  • Extras: Offers some discounts at partner museums or attractions, though often not significant enough to offset the higher price compared to other options.
  • Best for: Short trips (e.g., 2-3 days) that don’t align with the Navigo Découverte’s Monday-Sunday validity, or if you prefer the simplicity of an all-in-one tourist pass.

E. Mobile Ticketing (via apps)

Newer options are emerging that allow you to purchase and validate tickets directly on your smartphone (Android only for now, with iPhone support coming).

  • Apps: “Île-de-France Mobilités” and “Bonjour RATP” apps.
  • Features: Allows purchasing and storing T+ tickets and some passes (like Navigo Jour, which is a daily pass) directly on your phone.
  • Compatibility: Requires a compatible NFC-enabled Android phone. iPhones are getting support in 2025 for Navigo passes.

Recommendation for Tourists:

  • Short stay (1-3 days, not full Mon-Sun): Navigo Easy loaded with a carnet of T+ tickets.
  • Longer stay (4+ days, including a full Mon-Sun): Navigo Découverte for Zones 1-5 is usually the best value.
  • Heavy usage, not fitting Navigo week: Consider Paris Visite if the convenience outweighs the higher cost.

II. The Core Networks

A. Metro (Métro de Paris)

The Metro is the most iconic and efficient way to get around central Paris.

  • Lines: 16 lines (numbered 1-14, plus 3bis and 7bis), each with a unique color. Lines are identified by their number and the names of their end stations.
  • Operating Hours: Generally from around 5:30 AM to 1:15 AM on weekdays, and extended to 2:15 AM on Friday and Saturday evenings, and on the eve of public holidays.
  • Frequency: Very high, especially during peak hours (roughly every 2-5 minutes).
  • Navigating:
    • Maps: Available in every station, on platforms, and in trains. Apps are highly recommended (see below).
    • Signage: Clear signs indicate line numbers, directions (final station names), and connections (correspondances).
    • “Sortie”: Exit.
    • Doors: Older Metro trains require you to press a button or lift a lever to open the doors. Newer trains open automatically.
    • Transfers: Seamless within stations. Follow “Correspondance” signs to transfer between lines.

B. RER (Réseau Express Régional)

The RER is a regional express train system that complements the Metro, connecting central Paris to its suburbs and major attractions outside the city.

  • Lines: 5 lines (A, B, C, D, E), distinguishable by letters and colors.
  • Zones: The RER operates across all 5 zones of the Île-de-France region. It’s crucial to have a ticket valid for your entire journey’s zones, especially when going to/from airports, Versailles, or Disneyland. A T+ ticket is only valid for RER travel within Zone 1.
  • Operating Hours: Generally from around 5:30 AM to 1:20 AM daily.
  • Frequency: Less frequent than the Metro, but faster over longer distances as it makes fewer stops.
  • Important: Pay close attention to destination signs on the platform, as RER lines often split into different branches. Ensure your train is going to your desired final destination.

C. Buses

Paris’s bus network is extensive and offers a more scenic way to explore the city above ground.

  • Routes: Over 60 lines, crisscrossing the city.
  • Operating Hours: Most lines run from around 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM, with some extending until 12:30 AM. Reduced service on Sundays and holidays.
  • Night Buses (Noctilien): A dedicated network of 47 bus routes operates from 12:30 AM to 5:30 AM after the Metro/RER close, covering the entire Île-de-France region. T+ tickets are valid.
  • Navigating:
    • Bus Stops: Marked by a red and white sign, often with a shelter, maps of routes, and digital displays showing next bus arrival times.
    • Boarding: Enter through the front door.
    • Validation: Tap your Navigo pass or validate your T+ ticket in the machine near the driver immediately upon boarding. Keep your validated ticket.
    • Exiting: Press the “Arrêt demandé” (stop requested) button well in advance of your stop. Exit through the middle or back doors.
    • Etiquette: Say “Bonjour” to the driver when boarding. Priority seats are for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with small children.

D. Trams (Tramway)

The tram network primarily serves the outskirts of Paris and its inner suburbs.

  • Lines: 13 lines (T1-T13), color-coded.
  • Operating Hours: Similar to buses, typically from around 5:00 AM to 12:30 AM.
  • Usage: Valid with a T+ ticket or Navigo pass. Validate your ticket upon boarding.

III. Airport Connections

  • Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG):
    • RER B: The most common and direct option to central Paris (Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Denfert-Rochereau). Requires a specific RER ticket to/from CDG (included in Zone 1-5 passes).
    • RoissyBus: Express bus service from Opéra Garnier to all CDG terminals. A separate ticket.
    • Bus 350/351: Regular RATP city buses, slower but cheaper (T+ tickets or Navigo valid).
    • Metro Line 14: Extended to CDG as of June 2024. This is an automated, accessible, and fast option.
  • Orly Airport (ORY):
    • Orlyval + RER B: Orlyval (automated shuttle) connects Orly terminals to Antony station on RER B. Requires a combined ticket or a Zone 1-5 pass.
    • Tram T7 + Metro: Tram T7 connects Orly to Villejuif-Louis Aragon (Metro Line 7). This is a slower, cheaper option (T+ tickets or Navigo valid).
    • OrlyBus: Express bus service from Denfert-Rochereau to Orly terminals. A separate ticket.
    • Metro Line 14: Extended to Orly as of June 2024, providing a direct Metro connection to central Paris.

IV. Planning Your Journey & Essential Apps

  • Bonjour RATP (Official App): Essential for real-time traffic updates, route planning, schedules, and maps for Metro, RER, bus, and tram. You can also purchase digital tickets (on compatible phones).
  • Île-de-France Mobilités App: The official app of the regional transport authority. Similar functions to Bonjour RATP, also allows digital ticket purchase on compatible phones.
  • Citymapper: A highly popular app for Paris. Excellent for multi-modal trip planning, real-time departures, and disruptions.
  • Google Maps: Provides reliable public transport directions, though sometimes less detailed on disruptions than the dedicated RATP apps.
  • Offline Maps: Download offline maps (e.g., in Google Maps) as underground connectivity can be spotty.

V. Accessibility

Paris is working to improve accessibility, but the Metro system, being very old, is largely inaccessible.

  • Metro: Only Line 14 is fully accessible (elevators at all stations, minimal gap between train and platform). Most other Metro lines are difficult or impossible for wheelchair users due to stairs and gaps.
  • RER: Lines A and B have some accessible stations, but often require assistance for a ramp to bridge the gap between the platform and train (request at information desk or in advance via “Accès Plus” service for SNCF trains). Check accessible maps.
  • Buses: Nearly all Paris buses are wheelchair accessible with ramps. This is often the best option for those with mobility challenges.
  • Trams: All tram lines are wheelchair accessible, with level boarding from platforms.
  • Montmartre Funicular: Fully accessible.
  • Resources: Check the RATP website’s accessibility section and use the “Itinéraires accessibles” option on their journey planners.

VI. Safety & Etiquette

  • Validate Tickets: Always validate your ticket or pass. Inspectors are frequent, and fines are hefty.
  • Keep Your Ticket: Don’t discard your T+ ticket until you have exited the Metro/RER station. You might need it to exit or show to an inspector.
  • Watch for Pickpockets: Be vigilant, especially in crowded areas, on popular Metro lines (e.g., Line 1, 4, 13), and around tourist attractions. Keep bags secure and in front of you.
  • Stand Right, Walk Left on Escalators: A universal rule.
  • Offer Seats: Be courteous and offer your seat to the elderly, pregnant women, or those with disabilities.
  • “Bonjour” and “Merci”: It’s polite to greet the bus driver (“Bonjour Monsieur/Madame”) when boarding and thank them (“Merci”) when alighting.
  • Avoid Rush Hour: If possible, avoid the Metro during weekday rush hours (approx. 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM) to avoid extremely crowded conditions.
  • No Smoking/Vaping: Prohibited on all public transport and in stations.
  • No Eating/Drinking: Generally discouraged, especially on the Metro.
  • No Public Toilets: Public restrooms are rare in Metro stations. Plan accordingly.

By mastering these elements, you’ll find Paris’s public transportation system a fantastic tool for exploring the City of Lights!