The metro network covers the entire city. The distance between two metro stations is very short, just two or three minutes.
Don't worry if you miss your station, you'll just have to walk a little longer. If you're lost, look for the "M" sign indicating a metro station, where you'll find a map of the area.
Transportation in Paris
Paris is an ideal size for exploring on foot or by public transport. The Métro is one of the symbols of Paris. It's a very practical means of transport. Buses allow you to enjoy the magnificent panoramas of Paris. The RER will take you to monuments on the outskirts, such as the Château de Versailles. Make the most of public transport to visit Paris and the surrounding area!
The bus
The bus is an excellent way to discover Paris. Don't forget to validate your ticket by inserting it into the little box near the driver's seat. If you have to take different metro lines to get to your destination, check to see if there's a bus that will take you directly there. But beware, traffic jams are frequent in Paris, so we advise you not to take the bus if you're in a hurry.
The RER
The RER connects Paris with the suburbs. We advise you to check in advance which trains you need to take, as it's more complicated to travel by RER than by metro. The distance between two stations is also longer, so be careful not to miss your station.
- RER line A : the line crosses Paris from east to west, indicated in red.
Main stations: Saint Germain en Laye, La Défense, Auber (Opéra), Châtelet les Halles, Gare du Lyon, Vincennes, Val d'Europe (La Vallée Shopping Village), Marne la Vallée (Disneyland Paris). - RER line B: the line crosses Paris from north to south, indicated in blue.
Main stations: Aéroport Charles de Gaulles, Gare du Nord, Châtelet les Halles, Saint Michel-Notre Dame, Luxembourg, Antony (linked by tramway to Orly Airport) - RER line C: the line crosses Paris from north to south, indicated in yellow.
Main stations: Champs de Mars (Eiffel Tower), Invalides, Musée d'Orsay, Saint Michel-Notre Dame, Versailles Rive Gauche, Gare d'Austerlitz, Bibliothèque François Mitterrand.
Ticket
Ticket T
This ticket is common to both bus and metro, and is valid in Zones 1 and 2, in Paris and its inner suburbs. Free for children under 3, half-price for children aged 4 to 10.
Ile-de-France Air ticket
Fares vary according to your destination. This ticket is valid for Zone 2 and further afield. Tell the ticket seller where you want to go. If you're using the ticket machine, choose your destination from the list. For example, from Paris to Versailles Rive Gauche, the station closest to the Château de Versailles, the ticket will cost you €2.70.
Mobilis
This is a ticket valid for a whole day, allowing you to travel freely in the zone of your choice. You must write the user's name and the date of use on the ticket. The ticket is valid all day, from 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the following day.
Orange card
The Carte Orange is a pass with which you can travel freely within the zone of your choice. Each pass is valid for one week or one month. The user's name and photo must appear on the card. The weekly pass can be used from Monday, and the monthly pass from the first day of the month.
The OpentTour
It's a regular bus service for tourists that serves Paris' main sights and lets you enjoy magnificent views of Paris from its discovery platform. The pass allows you to get on and off the bus at any stop on the route, so you can see and visit all the sites at your own pace.
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets are on sale in all metro and RER stations, as well as in some tobacconists and cafés. Some metro stations have vending machines instead of ticket offices.
Remarks
Check the destination zone before buying your ticket to make sure you only pay the right price. It's not possible to adjust the price to the destination, so if you make a mistake, you'll have to pay a fine.
Especially on RER trains, be sure to keep your ticket until you arrive. Passengers are frequently checked by ticket inspectors, who will ask for your ticket to exit the station, which is not the case on the metro.
A single ticket allows you to make a one-way trip, without changing, whatever the length of the journey. Changes between metro and RER are only possible within Paris intramuros.
Which means of transport should you choose to discover Paris at your own pace?
As you can see, there's no shortage of public transport options in Paris. However, for tourists visiting the city, the bus or metro may not be the best way to take in the sights and attractions of Paris.
Indeed, if you want to tour the city and discover the most beautiful places in Paris, such as those offered on OutgoMag, the ideal solution would be to have your own means of transport. You can choose to travel by cab, or hire a private chauffeur in Paris.
Alternatively, you can simply rent a car to take you around the city. This last option offers much greater freedom, provided of course you have a driver's license and a map of the city to help you find your way around.
You can visit museums, historic sites and gourmet restaurants at your own pace. For adventure-seekers, don't hesitate to rent a motorhome to discover Paris on a road trip.
So it's up to you to choose the best solution for getting around the French capital.
