The Paris Métro is one of Europe's densest urban rail networks — 16 lines, 308 stations, and coverage so comprehensive that almost nowhere inside the Périphérique ring road is more than 500 metres from a station. For tourists, that is both brilliant (you are almost never far from a train) and slightly bewildering (which of the 16 lines, and which direction?). This guide cuts through the confusion.
Paris operates a flat-fare zone system inside the city. A single "t+ ticket" covers one journey on the Métro, bus, tram, or RER within central Paris (Zones 1–2), including transfers between lines, and costs around €2.15 (2026 price). You must validate a new ticket if you exit the system and re-enter, even if you are continuing the same journey above ground.
Paper magnetic tickets are being phased out across Paris in favour of the Navigo Easy contactless card, which you can load with individual t+ tickets or carnets (books of ten). The card costs €2 and is available at any Métro station. Alternatively, Spanish, UK and some European contactless bank cards now work on Paris transit — check with your bank before you travel, as acceptance is not yet universal.
For unlimited travel, the Navigo Semaine (weekly pass) covers Zones 1–5 — including Versailles, both airports, and Disneyland — for around €30. It runs Monday to Sunday, not for any rolling seven days, so buy it on a Monday to get full value.
Line 1 (yellow) is the single most important line for Paris tourism. It runs east–west from La Défense to Vincennes, stopping at the Arc de Triomphe (Charles de Gaulle-Étoile), the Champs-Élysées, the Tuileries, the Louvre, and the Marais (Saint-Paul). It is fully automated, very frequent, and step-free at every station.
Line 4 (purple) runs north–south through the city centre, connecting Montmartre (via Barbès-Rochechouart) to Montparnasse and Saint-Germain-des-Prés in one line.
Line 6 (light green) offers the most scenic ride in the system. It runs elevated above street level along the banks of the Seine between Charles de Gaulle-Étoile and Nation, giving clear views of the Eiffel Tower from the train.
The RER B line connects both airports. From Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to the city centre takes 35–45 minutes for around €11.80. From Orly, the Orlyval automated shuttle connects to RER B at Antony station.
Paris Métro stations are signed by the direction, not the line name. Every platform shows the name of the terminus at the far end of the line in that direction. For example, on Line 1, platforms are signed either "Direction La Défense" or "Direction Vincennes". To choose the right platform, find your destination on the map, see which terminus is beyond it, and follow that direction sign.
Exits (marked Sortie) are numbered and correspond to streets above ground. Larger stations like Châtelet-Les Halles have a dozen exits spread over several city blocks. Check the exit number on the in-station map before you climb, especially at Châtelet, which can add 10 minutes of unnecessary walking if you use the wrong exit.
Charles de Gaulle (CDG): Take RER B from CDG Terminal 1, 2 or 3. Trains run every 10–15 minutes. Buy an Airport ticket (not a standard t+ ticket) from the dedicated machines in the terminal. Journey time: around 35 minutes to Gare du Nord or Châtelet.
Orly (ORY): Take the Orlyval shuttle to Antony station (included in the airport ticket price), then RER B into the city. Total journey time: around 35 minutes to Châtelet. Budget €14 for the combined Orlyval + RER B ticket.
Beauvais (BVA): Beauvais is 80km from Paris and is not connected by rail. Ryanair and Wizz Air shuttle buses run to Porte Maillot (approximately 75 minutes, €17).
← See the full Paris city guide with transit lines and stations
For a short visit (1–3 days with moderate travel), individual t+ tickets loaded on a Navigo Easy card at €2.15 each work out cheapest. For 4+ days of regular travel, the weekly Navigo Semaine pass at around €30 for unlimited Zones 1–5 travel is much better value.
Contactless bank card acceptance is being rolled out across the Paris network but is not yet universal at all validators. A Navigo Easy card (€2 deposit) loaded with t+ tickets is the most reliable option for tourists without a French bank card.
The RER B train from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare du Nord takes about 25–30 minutes. To central stations like Châtelet, add another 10 minutes. Trains run every 10–15 minutes throughout the day.
The Metro is generally safe, but pickpocketing is common in tourist-heavy areas — particularly on Line 1 and around major interchanges like Châtelet and Gare du Nord. Keep bags closed and in front of you, and be alert on crowded platforms.
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