Paris Metro

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A station entrance for the Paris Metro - officially called Chemin de Fer Métropolitain.

We strongly urge you to travel around Paris using Metro. Although Metro maps and signs can be very confusing (yes, everything is in French), it is worth the effort.

From our experience, if you look lost a friendly Parisian will try to help even if they can't speak English.

Metro System and Fares

There are 16 Metro lines with trains arriving every few minutes between 5 AM and 1:30 AM. Trains stop at all stations on the line. Scheduled times for first and last trains are posted in each station.

In addition, there are 5 express lines called RER A, B, C, D, E. They can be used within Paris with a regular subway ticket. RER trains run at intervals of about 6 - 7 minutes and stop at every station within Paris.

For RER train stations outside the 20 arrondissements of Paris, like the one going to Versailles, check the information board on train platforms. Traveling outside the city center without a valid RER ticket will get you fined. Inspectors who roam the system show no mercy to tourists pleading innocence.

A single Metro ticket costs 1.50 euros. However, it is best to purchase a carnet of ten tickets, which costs 11.30 euros at any station - versus 15 euros for 10 single tickets. The carnet is valid for unlimited metro, RER, bus and tram transfers during one hour.

A 1-day ticket called a Carte Mobilis costs 5 euros. There are also 1 to 5 day tourist passes, called Paris Visite, starting at 8.35 euros for one day of unlimited travel within Paris and inner suburbs.

Carte Orange

Carte Orange is the cheapest Metro ticket, even if tourists are not supposed to buy it. For some unknown reason you can easily purchase one.

You can buy a Carte Orange Hebdomadaire (1 week pass, 16 euros for Paris and inner suburbs) or Mensuelle (1 month pass).

For the Carte Orange you need a small (about 1 inch by inch) color photograph. We urge you to make copies before going to Paris. You can use a photomat in a larger Metro station or photocopy and trim your passport photo. Note that an Hebdomadaire starts on Mondays and a Mensuelle on the first of the month.

There is some confusion about whether tourists are permitted to buy the Carte Orange rather than the more expensive Paris Visite passes. If one agent turns you down for the Carte Orange try going to a different window.