Public transport : Paris and the Île-de-France

Paris is a great city, and walking around is perhaps the best way to immerse yourself into the capital's buzzing atmosphere. The city itself is relatively compact, so it doesn't take too long to get from one place to another.

Yet, for those who are in a bit of a rush, or can't manage walking long distances all day long, then the city's Métro system is a great way to get around, as is using the train and tram systems for those journeys further out from the central Paris area.

Métropolitain (Métro for short)

Having opened in 1900 during the city's World Fair, the Métro has developed into an extensive system that is efficient and inexpensive so it is well worth using the Métro even if it is for just one or two of your journeys. But what makes it great is also it's downfall; the Métro is very popular so services can be very busy, especially at peak times when overcrowding is commonplace.

The system might have started with one line, but today's Métro is much bigger with 14 lines and two "bis" branches now in operation. Each one can be identified by their individual line number and colour.

  

Having so many lines in such a small area has meant that Paris and much of the inner suburbs are incredibly well served. Today, the Métro network totals 140 miles in length, and is served by a little over 300 stations; it means that the average distance to a station is around 500 metres (or a 10 minute walk).

Even now, it is still growing with four new lines currently under construction as part of the Grand Paris Express "big bang" project. These are set to open in stages between late 2025 and 2030.

 

Heavy rail services - RER and Transilien

The RER is a commuter railway system that reaches deep into the wider Île-de-France region. It is formed of five cross-city lines which run beneath the centre of Paris, so complimenting the Métro and providing even more travel options.

The RER has fewer stops than the Métro, but links up with the major central hubs. It does mean that trains are much faster than the Métro, so it is useful if you need to cross the city quickly. It's also great for reaching outer destinations such as Charles de Gaulle Airport or Disneyland Paris.

These RER lines are joined by a number of additional regional railway lines, known as Transilien. These are commuter lines which either radiate from the main Parisien rail termini, or provide additional orbital and branch line services in the outher suburbs.

                 

Trams and buses 

The city region also has a tram system and hundreds of bus services.

Most tram lines run out in the suburbs, although there are some that run around the edges of central Paris. They provide useful links where the Métro doesn't run, particularly where bus services have struggled with capacity. The good thing is that they have been designed to connect up with rail services.

  

Bus services are regular, with a mixture of local, express services providing frequent links all day, every day. A number of the busiest suburban services have been improved as part of bus rapid transport schemes, with bigger vehicles and long stretches of dedicated bus only roads.

 

 

Is using public transport expensive?

Not really. If you're pootling around the city, then the Île-de-France transport network is really great value. The ticket range was massively simplified from January 2025, with the old zonal structure abolished. This resulted in many longer-distance fares using rail services becoming much cheaper.

Here are some of the most popular tariffs - single tickets are available as a cash fare or via the Île-de-France Mobilités app, all other tickets are app only:
      -  single journey on Métro or train - €2.50 (changes permitted)
      -  single journey on bus or tram - €2.00
      -  single journey to/from airport - €13.00
      -  one day pass - €12.00 (excludes airports)
      -  week pass €31.60 (Monday to Sunday, not 7 consecutive days from purchase)

Children aged 4-9 travel for half fare, and discounts are available for large student groups. Under 4s travel free. For full details on all tickets and passes, take a look at the Île-de-France Mobilités website.

Are services frequent?

They are indeed. First Métro services leave their terminus station at around 5:30 am, and run right through until 1 am. On Friday and Saturday nights, trains run for an extra hour until around 2am.

Time of day	General frequency
Peak periods	up to every 2 minutes
Daytime	up to every 4 minutes
Evenings	up to every 8 minutes

Services on RER, Transilien and tram lines are also very frequent, but they do vary from line to line. They're also less frequent on Sundays, public holidays and during the summer holidays, as well as on individual branches.

If you need to travel during the small hours, you'll need to use the Noctilien bus network instead, for which special fares apply.

 

Navigating the Métro

Métro stations can be identified by their iconic signage. More than 80 of the oldest stations still feature their original art nouveau designs, whilst newer stations posess much simpler post-mounted feautres:

Original art nouveau style	Simpler design introduced in 1909	Minimalist style introduced in the 1970s	Current design, also used at RER stations

If you need to buy a ticket for any Métro, multi-lingual machines are located in the ticket hall. You'll need to insert your ticket through the barrier in order to access the platforms.

Métro lines are signed throughout the station, as are RER lines at inner city stops. As you approach the platform, you'll need to make sure you know which direction to take. Directions are referred to by the final station on the line (example right), with a list of intermediate stations shown beneath.

You'll need to make sure you've got the right direction; go the wrong way and you may need to pay again for the journey back, as changing platform often involves going via the ticket hall.

When you arrive on the platform, overhead indicator boards will tell you how long you'll need to wait for the next train (example left).

On RER services, they will indicate which stations the next train will call at. This is especially important as not all services call at every station, especially on fast services.

There are maps on board every train, so you can follow your progress. On many newer trains, the maps are dynamic - when you leave a station, the light indicating that station is extinguished.

When you arrive at your destination, simply follow the "Sortie" signs through the turnstiles and out through the ticket hall. On RER services, you'll need to put your ticket through the barrier.

 

Are services accessible?

Due to their age, most Métro lines are not accessible to wheelchair users or those who struggle with stairs (only line 14 is accessible). This is also the case with some RER stations, particularly on lines C and D.

What is worth bearing in mind is that local bus services and all tram lines are fully accessible, so they do offer a suitable alternative method of getting around Paris. However, some outer region express services may not be as coach-type vehicles may be used.

Can I see a map?

Of course! RATP produce a map of the full Métro network, or for RER, Transilien and tram lines then take a look at the all modes map.

For more information on transport in Paris, take a look at the RATP or Île-de-France Mobilités websites.

All that's left to say is enjoy your trip to Paris!

 Photo credits
 RER train is taken from an original by Poudou99 and is used under this Creative Commons license
 Bercy station sign is taken from an original by Clicsouris and is used under this Creative Commons license
 Line 14 direction board is taken from an original by Clicsouris and is used under this Creative Commons license
 Line 3 indicator board is taken from an original by Clicsouris and is used under this Creative Commons license