Paris Metro Guide

The Paris Metro requires you to have a ticket on you at all times when you are within the metro system as you'll require it to leave the station.  There are frequent ticket checks and you'll be slapped with a €50 fine if you don't produce a ticket when asked.

1) Fares

Single fares are €1.90 for adults.  You can save money by buying a carnet (pronounced car-nay) which is a booklet of 10 single tickets for €14.90

2) Mobilis Pass

The Mobilis Pass allows unlimited travel for one day (excluding the airport).  Pricing varies depending on how many zones you'll be visiting but most people only need the €7.50 basic pass which covers zones 1 and 2 - the entirety of downtown Paris.

3) Paris Visite Pass

There are two versions of the Paris Visite tourist travel pass.  The Paris Centre card covers downtown Paris (zones 1-3) while the Paris and Île-de-France region card covers all zones including the ORY and CDG airports.

Both versions offer some discounts to tourists attractions and are available for 1-5 days with prices starting at €12 a day up to €65.80 for all zones for five days.

1) At the station

You'll find all signage, including the self service machines, is in both French and English and the directional arrows to the different metro lines are all color coded so don't worry about a language barrier.

Insert your ticket into the turnstile to gain access into the station.  Don't forget to take the ticket back as you'll need it to exit again.

2) Find your train

To find your train line just follow the colored directional arrows and signs.  As each line has trains going in two different directions, check the directional map on the wall to make sure you're heading the right way.

3) Exiting the station

Once you've arrived at your final destination, find your desired exit and insert your ticket into the turnstile to leave the station.

Most trips will involve transferring from one line to another.  When you get off at your transfer station, follow the colored directional signage leading you to your next line.  Again, make sure you're going in the right direction and off you go.