Travelling Around Paris

Travellers guide to making your way around Paris using all forms of transport; Metro, RER, Bus, Tram and Taxi.

The world famous Paris Metro is probably the best known way of getting around Paris.

But as well as the Metro there many other ways to navigate your way round this beautiful city, as Paris has an excellent and great value public transport system.

If you find public transport too daunting, you can always grab a taxi, or even soak up the unique atmosphere of Paris on foot!

 

 

Paris Metro and RER Trains

The Metro and RER are Paris’s interlinking underground systems. The Metro is a central network of 14 lines, each with the name of its terminus. On maps, every line also has an identifying colour and number. The RER has 5 main lines, with branches, making fast connections from east to west and north to south right across the Ile-de-France.

• RER stations are further apart than on the Metro. This can make longer journeys much quicker.
• Tickets, issued by RATP, are valid for either system or for buses and must be bought in advance.
• You can buy single tickets, a book of 10 or a Mobilis one-day pass from metro stations and shops.
• A Paris Visite pass gives unlimited travel on the train and bus network for tourists for 1 to 5 days and can be bought in advance.
• Children under 4 are free and aged 4–11travel half-price. There is no senior discount.
• Tickets are checked on the way in and on the way out. Inspectors impose on-board fines for anyone who can’t produce a ticket.
• Trains are frequent, running from 5.30am to about 12.45am

Paris Buses

• Paris buses run from Monday to Saturday between 5.30am and 12.30am, with a limited Sunday service. They too are run by RATP.
• Paris city buses have a two-digit number and suburban buses carry a three-digit number.
• Each bus is identified by its line number and direction. Main stops are shown along the side of the bus.
• Bus stops - a shelter or signpost – give the name of the stop and the numbers of the buses stopping there. You need to request the driver to stop.
• Always board at the front and alight at the back and validate your ticket in the machine. Tickets can be bought in advance, as for the Metro, and the driver sells single tickets if necessary.
• A night bus service, known as Noctilien, runs between 12.30 and 5.30am in most parts of central Paris.

Paris Tramway

Since 2006 RATP, the body responsible for Paris public transport, has been investing in a programme of new Paris tram lines. There are currently 4 tram lines:

• T1 Gare de Saint-Denis / Noisy-le-Sec
• T2 La Défense / Issy-Val de Seine
• T3 Pont du Garigliano et la Porte d'Ivry
• T4 Bondy RER / Aulnay sous Bois

Several other lines are under construction. The tram runs in the outer lane or on a reserved track and uses a bell as a warning signal. Tram stops are shown by a T logo on a post.

Information on all public transport is available at www.ratp.info.

Paris Taxis

• A Paris taxi is available when the orange roof light is on
• You can hail one in the street, find one on a taxi rank or call a radio cab. These charge for the time taken to reach you.
• All taxis charge the same regulated fares. Higher rates apply after 5pm, Sundays and public holidays
• Taxis have no uniform colour – you’ll find all colours and types of car but all charge the uniform rate.
• Payment is in euros – generally cash or credit card is accepted by some taxis for fares over 15 euros.