Public Transports in Paris: A Local’s Guide

Public Transport: What You Need to Know

Paris has several different public transportation options, which are taken by millions of people every day: Metro, RER, bus, and tramway.

• Metro trains serve the city of Paris. Trains usually arrive every 2 to 5 minutes depending on the time of the day, and stations are all over the city, so you are never far away from one.
• RER trains primarily serve Paris's suburbs. Most RER trains start in or pass through major stations inside Paris.
• Buses usually come every 10 to 15 minutes. They can be less reliable as they can get stuck in traffic, but are a great way to see the city above ground!
• Trams serve the suburbs and also run around the periphery of Paris. These can be useful if you are staying on the outskirts of the city.

Running time

• Metro trains run from 5:30am to 1:15am, and until 2:15am on weekends
• RER trains run from 5:30am to 1:20am
• Buses run from 5:30am to 12:30am
• Night buses take over from 12:30am to 5:30am
• Trams run from 5:30am to 1:15am

Try to Avoid Rush Hour

Public transportation in Paris can be very crowded during rush hours. Trains can be so packed that it’s hard to get in or out, especially at major stations like Châtelet or Gare du Nord.

Rush hour is usually from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. So be mentally prepared for those times to be a bit busier!

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Where to Buy Your Ticket

Paris recently got rid of paper tickets to be more sustainable. These were replaced by 2€ rechargeable cards, called Navigo Easy. You will find machines in every metro station where you can buy these rechargeable transportation cards and reload them as many times as you need. machines take credit cards and some accept contactless payments.

The ticket machines to buy your reusable card have written “Tickets” on top and the one to recharge your card have written “Rechargement” on top.

There are several kind of ticket options you can load onto the Navigo Easy card:

Tickets

• Metro-Train-RER = 2,55 € per ticket (to take either the metro or RER)
• Bus-Tram = 2,05 € per ticket (to take either the bus or tram)

Passes

These allow unlimited travel on all forms of public transport within the chosen duration.

• Forfait Day Pass (only 1 day pass) = 12,30 €. With this pass you can travel in Paris and its suburbs using any transportation method. However, this pass does not include the airports (CDG and Orly); for airport travel, you will have to buy an airport ticket separately.
• Forfait Paris Visite (1, 2, 3 or 5 day pass). You can take the metro in Paris and all its suburbs, including airports.
  • 1 day = 30,60 €
  • 2 days = 45,40 €
  • 3 days = 63,80 €
  • 5 days = 78,00 €

Airport Tickets

• Paris Region Tickets <> Airport = 14 €. This is a special ticket to go from Orly Airport or Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport to any destination in the Île-de-France region or the opposite way. This ticket is valid for two hours on metro, RER, suburban train, Orlyval, and express tram (T11, T12, T13 and T14) lines. Connections are allowed, as long as you do not leave the network. NB: You cannot load airport tickets and regular transit tickets on the same card; when you arrive at your destination in Paris, you'll have to get a new Navigo Easy for your travel within the Île-de-France network.

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Which One Should You Buy?

• If you're planning on taking the metro frequently, get a day pass. It will be more cost effective if you take the metro several times a day.

• If you're not sure, charge single tickets on your pass but charge at least 2 on it, as they tend to run out quickly. Remember that Metro-RER tickets and Bus-Tram tickets are different, so double-check you're purchasing the right type of tickets for your plans.

• If you're traveling to either airport, you NEED an Airport Ticket. Other tickets and day passes aren't valid to go to the airport.

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Try the App

If you prefer, you can also use Paris’s public transportation app, called Bonjour RATP. You can use this app to download all the tickets above directly on your phone and use your phone as a ticket. There are a few requirements to use it :

• For your phone to work like a magnetic card, it has to be equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. This technology is included on most recent phones.
• The app needs internet connection to work, so you will need to have mobile data.

This app can be a good option if you don’t want to bother going to machine tickets or to carry around a metro card. If possible, set up your app from home, before you leave on your trip, to reduce stress upon arrival.

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Itinerary Search

Bonjour RATP is also a useful app to get around as it also includes a itinerary search map. Google Maps or City Mapper are also good options to look for an itinerary.

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Public Transport or Taxi/Bicycle

If you’re travelling alone at night, you might prefer to take a taxi or use a bike share service to feel safer.

To know more about taking a Taxi in Paris you can check my other article here.

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Safety Concerns to Be Aware Of

Paris transportation is mostly safe, but as with any big city, I always advise taking basic precautions:

Pickpockets

You've probably heard about the risks of pickpockets on public transit in Paris. While they do exist, keep in mind that a vast majority of travelers do not experience any pickpocketing during their trip. Paris is generally quite safe, provided that you use the same precautions you would in any big city.

• ‍My local tip: Keep your valuables secure and stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas. If you keep your bag zipped and in front of you, you’re very unlikely to have problems.

There are some other scams to be aware of when you come to Paris. You can read more about common Paris scams in our other article if you’d like extra tips.

Night Travel

Night travel is generally safe. If possible, travel in groups so you are more comfortable.

Travel with Confidence!

Public transportation in Paris is easy to navigate and generally safe and reliable. The main concerns are petty theft and occasional scams, so staying alert and keeping your belongings secure is key. With a little preparation and awareness, you’ll travel with confidence and enjoy everything Paris has to offer.