The Paris Metro is one of the world's great urban rail systems: 16 lines, around 300 stations, and frequent enough that consulting a timetable is rarely necessary. Combined with the RER suburban express lines, it puts virtually every corner of the city and its major attractions within easy reach. Here is how to navigate it confidently, choose the right ticket, and avoid the common mistakes.
The network at a glance
The Paris transit network is operated by RATP and divides into several overlapping systems:
- Métro (M1–M14 and extensions): the underground network within central Paris and inner suburbs. Lines are numbered 1–14 and colour-coded. Most tourist destinations sit on M1 (east–west through the centre), M4 (north–south), M9 (Trocadéro, Champs-Élysées end) or M6 (Montparnasse, Bir-Hakeim).
- RER (Réseau Express Régional, lines A–E): faster suburban trains that cross the city with fewer stops. Critically important for reaching CDG airport (RER B), Versailles (RER C), Disneyland (RER A) and other destinations outside the Métro zone.
- Transilien: regional rail lines radiating from the main Paris termini, for destinations further afield.
- Trams (T1–T9): surface tram lines on the inner and outer ring roads, useful for specific cross-city journeys but not the primary tourist network.
Tickets and zones
The Île-de-France transit network is divided into zones (1–5, though the system has recently been simplified for most fares). Zone 1 covers central Paris; Zone 5 includes CDG airport and Versailles. Most Metro journeys are Zone 1 and use a single flat-fare ticket.
Single tickets (t+)
A single t+ ticket is valid for one journey on the Metro, buses, trams, and the RER within Zones 1–2. It cannot be used for a return or an interrupted journey (leaving the station and re-entering). Paper tickets are being phased out in favour of contactless and smartcard options, but are still available at machines.
Navigo Easy (carnet)
The Navigo Easy is a reloadable plastic card onto which you load individual t+ tickets in a batch of 10. This replaces the old carnet (book of tickets) and gives a discounted per-journey rate compared to buying single tickets. Load it at any Metro station ticket machine.
Navigo weekly and monthly passes
The Navigo Semaine (weekly pass, valid Monday to Sunday) and Navigo Mois (monthly pass) give unlimited travel across all zones (Zones 1–5) for a flat weekly or monthly fee. They represent excellent value if you are staying in Paris for a week or more and plan to use the Metro daily — and they cover the RER to CDG airport, meaning no extra ticket needed for airport transfers. Weekly passes must be loaded with a passport photo and personalised at a station kiosk.
Paris Visite pass
The Paris Visite is a tourist-oriented pass for 1–5 consecutive days, available for Zone 1–3 or Zone 1–5. It gives unlimited travel and includes discounts at some attractions. It is worth calculating whether the daily cost exceeds what you would spend on individual journeys — for short visits or those using the Metro only occasionally, Navigo Easy may be cheaper.
Contactless bank cards
RATP has been gradually rolling out contactless bank card acceptance at Metro gates. This is expanding but not yet universal across all gates and lines — always have a backup ticket method, especially if arriving from an airport where you need a zone-spanning ticket.
How to use the Metro
Validate your ticket at the turnstile when you enter the station. On the Metro, a single ticket covers any journey on the Metro network regardless of length or number of changes, as long as you do not exit the system. You can change between Metro lines freely within a single journey. On the RER within central Paris, the same applies — but if you are travelling beyond Zone 2, you need a ticket that covers the additional zones.
Trains on most central lines run from around 05:30 until 01:15 (approximately 02:15 on Fridays and Saturdays). There are night buses (Noctilien) to cover the early-morning gap.
Key lines for visitors
- Line 1 (yellow): runs east–west through the heart of Paris, stopping at the Louvre, Châtelet, Hôtel de Ville, Bastille and Vincennes. Fully automated.
- Line 4 (purple): the main north–south spine, connecting Gare du Nord/Gare de l'Est in the north through Châtelet, Saint-Michel and Montrouge in the south.
- Line 6 (light green): runs partly elevated along the Seine from Nation to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, passing Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower area.
- RER B (blue): key for CDG airport transfers and central Paris (Gare du Nord, Châtelet, Saint-Michel). See the Paris airports guide.
- RER C (yellow-green): serves Versailles and Musée d'Orsay.
Tips for a smooth journey
- The Métro gets crowded on lines 4 and 1 during morning and evening rush hours (roughly 08:00–09:30 and 17:30–19:30). If you have large luggage, mid-morning or early afternoon is easier.
- Many stations in central Paris have multiple exits — check which exit puts you closest to your destination before ascending to street level.
- Long platforms can mean walking several minutes inside the station at major hubs like Châtelet–Les Halles. Follow the colour-coded line signs on the walls.
- Station announcements are in French. The end destination of the line is displayed on the front of the train — know the terminus of the line in the direction you are travelling.
- On the RER, validate your ticket on exit as well as entry if you are beyond Zone 1 — failing to do so can trigger a fine.
Getting to and from Paris by rail
The Metro connects to all six mainline Paris railway stations. Gare du Nord (Metro lines 4, 5, RER B, RER D, RER E) is the hub for Eurostar services to London, Thalys to Brussels and Amsterdam, and TGV to Lille. Gare de Lyon (Metro 1, 14, RER A, RER D) handles TGV services south and east including the direct service to Barcelona. Gare Montparnasse (Metro 4, 6, 12, 13) serves TGV routes south-west to Bordeaux, Nantes and Spain via the Atlantic corridor.
If you are planning onward travel by rail, see the guide to booking European trains for ticketing strategy.
Frequently asked questions
How many Metro lines are there in Paris?
There are 16 lines (M1–M14, plus two extensions, Line 15 and sections of Line 16 and 17 from the Grand Paris Express project still opening in phases). For most visitors, lines 1–14 cover everything needed.
Is the Navigo weekly pass worth it?
If you are spending a full week in Paris and using the Metro at least twice a day, yes — it typically pays for itself within three or four days compared to buying individual tickets, and it also covers RER journeys including the airport. Remember it runs Monday to Sunday, not seven days from purchase.
Can I take the Metro to the Eiffel Tower?
The nearest Metro stations are Trocadéro (Line 6, 9) and Bir-Hakeim (Line 6). The RER C also stops at Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel, a short walk away. Line 6 from Trocadéro gives elevated views of the tower as it crosses the Seine.
Is the Paris Metro safe?
The Metro is generally safe, though pickpocketing occurs on busy lines — particularly Lines 1 and 4, RER B at CDG, and around major attractions. Keep valuables in a zipped pocket and be alert at turnstiles, where distraction theft can occur.
Sources and further reading:
- Network maps, fares and timetables: RATP (ratp.fr).
- Navigo pass information and ticketing: Île-de-France Mobilités (iledefrance-mobilites.fr).
- RER airport connections: see the Paris airports guide on Viamo.