Discovering the Parisian transportation system for the first time can be quite challenging. Even when you choose to stay in the city center, you will need to get on the metro at some point, maybe because you would like to visit more of the city, or because you want to gain time. This guide will take you through the Parisian subway, step by step.
Paris has 14 metro lines, 5 RER and more than 300 stations. When visiting the city, you will need to know about a few metro stations in order to find your bearings easily. But first, check this article to know which tickets you’ll need!
Timetables
The subway is open from 5:30 AM to 1 AM. Depending on the stations, these hours can be different. Always make sure to check your itinerary on apps such as RATP or Citymapper.
How to recognize a metro station?
M, Metro or Metropolitain are the 3 types of signs you will find at every metro station. At least one of them is clearly visible at each stop. There can be many entrances to one station, making it easy to spot one when you’re lost. In some areas of Paris, it’s even possible to find two different stations, only a few meters apart.
The Very Best Of Paris with the Line 1
What you can find on this line : Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Place de la Concorde, Tuileries Gardens, Louvre Museum, Chatelet, Rue Rivoli, Le Marais, Bastille. These are all places you have to visit in Paris, and one day is definitely not enough to discover all of them. Now you know how to get there.
A view of Paris withe the Lines 6 and 5
Instead of hopping on a bus to discover Paris, why not take the subway ? On the line 6, the following stations : Cambronne, La Motte-Piquet Grenelle, Dupleix, Bir-Hakeim, Passy offer a great view on the city’s architecture and especially on the Eiffel Tower. On the line 5, its possible to get a glimpse of Notre Dame between the stations Gare d’Austerlitz and Saint-Marcel.
How to get to the most popular places in Paris?
Eiffel Tower: RER C – Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel or Line 6 trocadero
Sacre Cœur: Line 2 – Blanche or Line 12 Abesses
Notre Dame: Line 4 – Saint Michel
Louvre Museum: Line 1 – Palais Royal Musée du Louvre
Musée d’Orsay: Line 12 – Solférino
Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées: Line 1 / 9 – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Moulin Rouge: Line 2 – Blanche
Galeries Lafayette : Line 7 / 9 – Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette
Le Marais : Line 1 Saint Paul
A few rules to respect in the metro
- Mind the stairs : not every station has an elevator. Although many stations are accessible and recognizable by a wheelchair pictogram, some only have stairs or escalators.
- Don’t let your guard down : It’s very easy to get pickpocketed in crowded places such as the subway. Always make sure to close your bag, avoid showing objects of value and keep an eye on your belongings. These rules are important in the streets as well, especially in very visited places.
- Choose your tickets very well : here’s a list of all the types of tickets you can buy depending on your needs. Make sure to always validate your ticket in order to avoid a fine. Always buy your tickets from vending machines or RATP counters.
- Try to avoid the busiest lines, on the busiest hours. When travelling, always remember that locals are working and taking the subway in the morning (between 7 and 10 AM ) and in the evening ( between 5 and 7 PM).
