How to travel by Paris public transportation – Options, tickets…

Coming to visit Paris using the public transports? Are you excited but a little bit scared to go around by yourselves? Here is a detailed guide on how to use Paris public transportation system. Be ready and worry free!

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As you are planning your Paris Itinerary, you need to think about how you are going to travel between each places of interest (see my suggested 3 days itineraries)

6 types of public transportation in Paris:

• ​The subway called 'Metro' is the main form quickly transporting you everywhere in Paris. There are currently 14 lines numbered 1 to 14 and run from about 5:30 AM to 00:30AM. They run through Paris.
• The RER or Suburban Trains  identified with Letters and then names to indicate their route (see more info on the Traveling via RER section below) - They allow you to travel outside of the small ring of Paris to locations such as the Versailles Castle. 
• The busses: there are many many busses and bus routes. Mostly for those you do not like going underground or who take unconventional routes. 
• The Tramways: recently reintroduced they transport you for routes around the periphery of Paris
• At night (00:30 AM to 5:30 AM), all those transportation means are replaced by busses called Noctilien
• Funiculaire: This option is only at Montmartre to get on top of the hill to the Sacre Coeur basilica

Other options to travel around Paris:

• Walking: Paris is a great place to walk especially along the Seine river
• Taxis:  more expensive, but a personalized route
• HOP ON HOP OFF Buses - a great way to get around to the main sights quickly and with great views
• Bicycle rides: there are more and more frequent around the main sites. It takes only 2 people in the car
• Rent a bike: I am not a big fan of biking in Paris (too many cars) but some people seem to enjoy it
• Segway: like in many other cities, the trend has reached Paris
• Boats on the Seine river: many companies offer boat cruises on the Seine river. I think Paris is one of the best cities to do such an activity. Many of the most impressive buildings are along the river and you get fantastic views from the boat.
• Renting a car: if you are staying in Paris, this is not an option I would recumbent. Public transports are great and driving gets congested, parking is expensive and driving can get crazy (although not as much as in some Asian countries)

Or you can also consider traveling around Paris by bike

PARIS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MAP

• Free subway maps are available at each station
• Online: click to access is the official RATP (transportation agency) plan

PLANNING TOOL: TRANSILIEN​

If you do not want to play yourselves with the maps trying to figure out your best transportation option, check out the Transilien website. Just enter the address or the station from where you leave and where you want to go and it will give you your best option. Most parisians use it. Their english version of the site is not perfect but you should be able to understand. They also have an app.

TICKET OPTIONS

• First of all, whatever your ticket, keep it all the way until the end. You might need it to exit or be asked for it by controllers

• Ticket vending booths may not be open at all times. However there are multilingual vending machines accepting Euro coins (for purchases up to 30€) and smartchip credit cards. There are not complicated once you know what ticket you want but if you are worry check out this guide on using Paris Metro ticket vending machines for more information. 

• Ticket options: I am not going to write all options here are they are going to change overtime. The Transilien website will keep their information up-to-date so check their website. If you plan to walk a lot or visit one place per day, buy on way tickets. However if you plan to cover as much ground as possible every day consider purchasing the daily ticket on the Paris Visit card

• Note that taking the RER to get outside of Paris requires a special ticket as your access different zone​s
• The advantage of the Paris visit card: on top of transportation, this card, valid for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days, offers many discounts on entries to monuments and museums

 WALKING IN PARIS

Paris is a great city for those who love walking, especially along the Seine river. There are just a few things to keep in mind:

• Pedestrian crossing: watch right first
• On escalators, stand on the right side to let people move up or down
• Except new lines or new stations, most underground transports are not accessible to wheelchairs. There are lots of stairs

 ENTERING STATIONS

• Entries to RER or Metro stations are well indicated
• Inside you have many signs to direct you as long as you know your Number/Letter and direction​ otherwise there are almost always maps on the walls
• Then insert your ticket into a turnstile/gate slot (magnetic stripe side down) or badge your card. Take back your ticket and walk through the turnstile/gate

But before you join the crowd and find the exit, on many platforms you will find a map of the station with the various exits you can take. If you want to avoid walking one way and then back when you are at the surface, check out, pick the number which is closer to where you are going and follow the signs

Seating / Standing

• Metro train cars come in a variety of different shapes even on the same line
• Seats next to the doors should not be used during peak hours
• Hold a rail while standing, some turns are bumpy

On Board

• Above each doors are maps of the line with the subway numbers / RER letter where you can switch
• They always stop at all stations - no button to push

As Anna from Anna Everywhere says on her post about the practical tips for visiting Paris, don't be afraid to take the metro! It is easy to use.

TRAVELING VIA RER 

The RER (commuter) trains are ideal for traveling to the suburbs (for example to Versailles Castle) but can also be used to travel within Paris. 

Finding the right RER and platform

The identification of the RER is slightly more difficult that the subway so bare with me.

• ​First you have the letter: A, B, C… which tell you generally which diameter the line is doing: for example, the D line goes from North East to South East...
• Then you have the end station (e.g. Invalides) telling you which direction is goes and which lines it takes. Some lines are common for several stations and then separate to reach different suburbs
• Then you have the name of the train (e.g. LARA) telling you which stations it is going to stop at. 

So you can have 2 trains with the same letter and the same end station which do not stop at the same stations. 

When you check your route on Transilien, it will tell which the name of the train you have to take​. And in the station the signs will tell you at which stations the train stops (either by modern display or by old display where lights indicate stopping)

Getting On Board / Off Board

• Above each doors are maps of the line with the subway numbers / RER letter where you can switch
• They always stop at all stations - no button to push
• Hold a rail while standing, some turns are bumpy
• Action the door to exit by pushing the button or pulling the handle

TRAVELING VIA BUS

• Paris bus routes are identified with 3 numbers
• Pay in cash at the driver (for a one journey ticket) or use your travel card or daily ticket
• Push the button to indicate you want the bus to stop at the next station

TRAVELING VIA TRAMWAY

• Identification starting with a T and a number and a letter
• Tramways do circles around Paris
• Purchase ticket at the vending machine of each station
• Validate your ticket onboard

AIRPORT TRANSFER

From & To Roissy CDG airport

• RER B direction Paris (end station Robinson, Antony, St-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse) or direction airport (end station CDG Airport Terminal 2, also stops at Terminal 1) - 35 minutes - every 5 to 7 minutes during the day - 9€25
• Direct busses between Paris and CDG/Roissy: Roissy Bus or Air France Bus - 1 hour - 11 to 17 euros - every 30 minutes
• New shuttle (mai 2015): Easybus 
• Public Busses (longer routes): 350 / 351 
• Taxi: with normal traffic 1h - 50 to 70 Euros
• or Pre-book a private transfer

From & To Orly airport

• RER B + Orlyval (change at Antony station) - every 5 to 7 minutes - 30 min total station to station - Attention You ned a special ticket to access Orlyval - 10€90
• RER B + Shuttle (change at Pont de Rundis station) - every 15min - 40 min total  - 6€40
• Direct busses between Paris and Orly: Orly Bus or Air France Bus - every 20 - 30 min trip - 7 to 12€
• Taxi: depending on traffic: with normal traffic 30min - 40 to 55 Euros
• At night: N22, N31, N131, N144

Just note that there are many stairs especially in the old stations. I normally prefer taking the train because of the frequency but if you have a lot of luggage the bus might be easier.

Want to see MORE of FRANCE?

Discover more things to do with planning information and photos in my online Paris Travel Guide.

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