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Paris Metro Info - Metro Made Easy!

Paris Metro Info - Read on to find out all you need to know about the French underground...

Paris Metro (Métro parisien) is short for "chemin de fer métropolitain" or "metropolitan rail". This underground rail network, is the product of coordination between engineering, urban planning and architecture.

Abbesses- M12 Entrance With its official public unveiling celebrated in 1900, the Metro to this day, displays some examples of its Hector Guimard-designed Art Nouveau entrances. On maps, Metro stations are identifiable by an "M" followed by the line number. There are 14 lines (lignes), M1 - M14, plus two sublines M3b and M7b. Line 14 is the most recent addition (1998) and is the only line with fully automated (unmanned) trains.

The Paris Metro is a clean and efficient, subterrainian rail system with frequently accessible entry/exit points dotted across the city of Paris and always within easy walking distance. You don't have to look hard to find one, entrances are indicated by an "M" or with signs saying "Metro" or "Metropolitain".

Metro lines are distinguished by colour. Once you enter the Metro you will discover that each line is further orientated by its direction (direction) - being the last stop at each end. There are also interchanges (correspondances) between the lines. These are indicated in orange. At these interchanges you can traverse the corridors from one line to gain access to another, without ever stepping foot outside. This makes for an excellent transport system, for tourists and local alike, to get from one end of Paris to the opposite quickly and effortlessly. The Metro operates daily from 5:20 am to 1:20am.

For a PDF map of the Paris Metro, simply click here.

Metro Tickets

Metro Ticket Vending Machine

Latest Paris Metro Info: From the 1st of July 2007, new Metro tickets were introduced. These (white) tickets cover the entire Paris Metro system and also the Montmartre funicular (inclined rail). It also covers the RER and the RATP buses within Paris (with special-fare bus line exclusions). You have 1½ hours to make use of your white ticket connections, ie. 1½ hours from first validating your ticket to when you last validate it. Be warned though, these multi-connecting white tickets should be bought from the Metro, not the buses, as the buses sell bus tickets only.

Vending Machine Close-up

If you're not comfortable using the vending machine, you can go to the teller. It's cheaper to buy 10 tickets, which you ask for as: "Un carnet de dix tickets, s'il vous plâit", pronounced: A car-nay der dee tické, sil voo play. Make sure you say carnet - car-nay, otherwise you will be issued 10 tickets at the single fare price. And if you are travelling with kids between the ages of 4 & 10, ask for 10 tickets at the reduced fare: "Un carnet de dix tickets, tarif réduit, s'il vous plâit", pronounced: tarif red-oo-wee.

Ticket Type	Cost
Single - full fare	€1,60
Carnet of 10 - adult ticket	€11,60
Carnet of 10 - child ticket	€5,80

Validating Tickets

All rail tickets in France need to be validated. This includes Metro, RER, TGV tickets. In the case of the Metro, this is done by feeding your ticket into the slot at the "turnstiles", pushing through the gate and retreiving the ticket as you go. Don't throw the ticket away until your journey in the Metro or other connections are complete.

Metro Louvre-Rivoli

Paris Metro Info Tip 1:
If you don't want added pressure when buying your tickets because you are not confident with your French, avoid buying tickets during peak hour on a work day, or you'll feel the pressure from impatient commuters behind you and the teller in front as you try and explain your request.

Paris Metro Etiquette Tip:
When the Metro is really busy and the carriages full, the etiquette is to stand up where there are folding seats (near the doorways) to allow more space for fellow commuters.

Paris Metro Info Tip 2:
Travellers with babies & toddlers should be aware that the turnstiles in the Metros are not at all pram/stroller friendly. Best to keep stroller excursions above ground. Opt for backpack style baby carriers (can be used from when babies can sit up on their own). A great one has a simple seat sling with a light aluminium frame which can openned out to stand upright.

Paris Metro Info Tip 3:
There are many talented and also enterprising individuals who use the Metro system to gain a few euros, either through busking (acceptable by the authorities), busking with begging (not encouraged and frowned upon), or just begging (not condoned). There are some fantastic busking talents out there and the Metro often comes alive with their music, so by all means drop them some change as you go by. But there is a difference between a talented busker and someone pushing you to donate for causes unknown at the end of a "performance", especially when these individuals board the train and try to catch your eye during the act. Avert your eyes, avoid all eye contact or they'll single you out. I carry around a French magazine or novel, to look more like a local and appear engrossed in my reading when on the trains. The French generally ignore them.

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