Public transport

With 1.5 billion trips per year, the metro remains the most popular form of public transport in Paris Region. It is also the fastest, running at 2-minute intervals in the rush-hour period.

The metro network comprises 16 lines, 2 of which are automated. They are numbered 1 to 14, with alternative routes on lines 3 and 7. These lines serve more than 300 metro stations in the capital and the inner suburbs of Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne (Zone 2).

It’s very easy to find your bearings. You’ll have no trouble spotting the metro stations, as there’s approximately one station every 500 metres and each is identified by a large yellow M installed above the entrance. To make life simple, each line is identified by a different colour. Before travelling, arm yourself with a metro map! These are distributed free of charge at the metro station desks.

The metro runs 7 days a week, every day of the year.

On weekdays, you can take the metro from **5.30am to around 1.15am. On Fridays, Saturdays and the night before a bank holiday, it stays open until about 2.15am.

For those who intend to party until dawn, certain metro lines remain open all night on New Year’s Eve and on 21 June for World Music Day.

To travel on the Paris Region metro network, you’ll need one of the usual transport tickets: T+ ticket, Navigo Pass, etc.

The metro interconnects with the RER train network and you can change from one to the other on the same ticket. If you take a bus or tram, on the other hand, you’ll need to purchase another ticket, or scan your pass again.

Check the metro network map: https://www.ratp.fr/en/plan-metro

In addition to the metro lines, the regional express train network adds to the efficient coverage of the city and also extends to other French departments of the Paris Region. Whereas for other trains the end of the line is generally within Paris, the RER trains cross the entire city, taking you to the outer reaches of Île-de-France with no changes.

The RER network was created in 1970. It has 5 lines (A, B, C, D & E) that serve more than 250 stations and carry 2.7 million daily passengers. User numbers have actually increased by 20% over the last 10 years and there are plans to extend and reorganise the network

The entire RER network operates 7 days a week from 6am to around 0.45am, every day of the year.

For travel within Paris and the inner suburbs, RER tickets and fares are identical to those for the metro. The RER network interconnects with the metro and you can change trains from one to the other on the same ticket.

Beyond Paris itself (Zone 1) and the inner suburbs (Zone 2), you’ll need to purchase a ticket specifically for your intended journey. To calculate your itinerary: https://me-deplacer.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/itineraire.

Check the RER network map: https://www.ratp.fr/en/plan-rer

Launched in 1999, these regional trains carry 750,000 passengers on a daily basis, on 8 lines (H, J, K, L, N, P, R & U). Unlike the RER network that crosses Île-de-France, these lines start and end at major stations in Paris and at La Défense. Although they cover the entire Île-de-France network (400 stations), some also go beyond the boundaries of the Paris Region (lines H, J and R). To help you find your way, you can pick up a free network map at any station.

To calculate your itinerary, visit the website https://www.transilien.com/

The tram system is an overground public transport service serving mainly the city outskirts and the neighbouring towns and villages of the Île-de-France region. It has 14 lines, around 280 stops, and carries more than 1 million passengers per day. It runs at intervals ranging from 6 minutes during rush hour to 20 minutes in the evening.

The advantages of this form of transport are that it runs on its own specific tracks and that the trams are bright, spacious and comfortable.

The trams operate all year round, 7 days a week from 5am to 1am (around 2am on Fridays, Saturdays and the night preceding a bank holiday).

Tram tickets and fares are the same as those for the metro and RER trains. However, you cannot change to a train or metro line on the same ticket, only to a bus or another tram. If you change for the RER or metro, you’ll need to purchase another ticket, or scan your pass again.

Check the tram network map: https://www.ratp.fr/en/plan-tramway

The Paris Region benefits from excellent coverage, with more than 500 bus routes operating on a constantly growing network. In total, more than 10,000 buses operate on the Île-de-France network, representing approximately 5 million trips per day.

The Paris Region is served by more than 350,000 regular bus routes, including 65 within Paris itself.

Year after year, the bus network is being updated with electric vehicles, air-conditioning and a new design for seats reserved for priority passengers.

An alight on request service is being introduced on most bus routes**, in the interests of safety. This allows passengers, on request, to alight between stops, closer to their home. This service is generally available from 10pm.

Buses operate on average from 7am to 0.30am from Monday to Saturday, and the service is roughly halved on Sundays and bank holidays. Depending on their location, some bus services stop at 8.30pm.

Too late for the metro? No worries, this is where the Noctilien network takes over. Running from 0.30am to 5.30am, its forty or so bus routes take you safely around Île-de-France. The network revolves around 5 main stops, four at major stations (Gare de Lyon, Gare Saint-Lazare, Gare de l’Est and Gare Montparnasse) and a fifth at Place du Châtelet.

Whichever bus you take, the usual transport tickets cover Zones 1 and 2. Further out, your fare will depend on your journey.

You cannot change to a train or metro line on the same ticket, only to another bus or a tram. If you change for the RER or metro, you’ll need to purchase another ticket, or scan your pass again.

The Batobus river service is an original and pleasant way to travel, stopping at 9 of Paris’ most popular tourist attractions: Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysées, Orsay Museum, Louvre, St-Germain-des-Prés, Notre-Dame, Hôtel de Ville, Jardin des Plantes and Beaugrenelle.

Although intended mainly for tourists, Batobus offers a practical travel alternative as the service operates all year round, from 10am to 7pm on average, 7 days a week.

You have 3 options: 1-day pass, 2-day pass, or yearly pass (unlimited trips). You can purchase these online, or at one of the 9 stops.

Be aware that the Batobus service is sometimes affected by water levels on the Seine. Remember to check the website before you travel.

For further details: www.batobus.com

• T+ tickets
  
  

The T+ ticket can be used on the metro, on RER lines (Zones 1 & 2 only), on Île-de-France bus routes (except the Orlybus & Roissybus airport services), on trams (except lines T11, T12 & T13) and the Montmartre funicular.

T+ tickets cost €2.15 each If you’re taking the bus and don’t have a ticket, you can buy one from the driver for €2.50.

T+ tickets are **valid for 1½ hours from first use (or 1 hour if purchased from the bus driver).

Further details on https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/t-tickets

• Île-de-France ticket
  
  

Île-de-France tickets are valid on RER trains, the metro and the SNCF train network. They offer a solution for stress-free travel between the train stations of the Paris Region**.

The fare depends on your departure and arrival stations.

Further details on https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/ile-de-france-idf-point-point-tickets

• Airport tickets
  
  

Airport tickets are available for tourists and local residents travelling to and from the airports of the Paris Region.

Fares vary from one airport to another and depend on your chosen means of transport.

Further details on https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/airport-tickets

• Paris Visite travel card
  
  

Are you on holiday in Paris? The Paris Visite travel card is your ideal solution. Why? Because you get unlimited travel in your chosen zones, 25% discount on admission to the Montparnasse Tower observation deck, and 100 euros’ worth of advantages with partner networks. Simply choose your travel zones (1-3 or 1-5) and the card duration (1 to 5 days).

For further details : (https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/paris-visite-travel-pass

• Navigo and Imagine R passes
  
  

These travel passes are more suitable for local residents who use the network all year round, but they do adapt to other needs and uses as well.

All you need to know about the Navigo Pass.

Children under the age of 4 years travel for free on public transport.

Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to a reduced rate. For further details: https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/tarifs-reduits.

Check all tickets and fares: https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs

In every corner of the Paris Region, you’ll find the following at RATP stations: information, Navigo Passes, transport tickets, assistance with ticket machines and a Navigo after-sales service.

Visit the website https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en for online ticket purchases and related services.

• Île-de-France Mobilités (available in French and English)
  
• City Mapper (available in 9 languages)
  
• Bonjour Ratp (available in French)
  

• https://www.ratp.fr/en
  
• https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en
  
• https://www.transilien.com/en