Learning how to use the Paris Metro can feel intimidating at first, but with a few simple steps, you’ll be navigating the City of Light’s underground like a seasoned local. The key is understanding your ticket options and following the directional signs.
Here is your complete, step-by-step guide to buying your ticket and riding the Métro, updated with the latest information for 2025.
Step 1: Which Paris Metro Ticket Should I Buy?
Starting in 2025, the ticketing system has been simplified, making it even easier for tourists. The traditional paper ticket is no longer widely sold, making way for digital options or the reusable Navigo Easy card.
Your main choices are:
- Single Ticket (t+): For 2025, the Metro-Train-RER ticket costs €2.50. This is valid for one continuous journey on the Metro or RER (within Paris), or single rides on buses or trams.
- Navigo Easy Pass: This is the most popular option for tourists. You buy a reusable, plastic card for a one-time fee of €2. You can then load individual tickets onto it, or a Navigo Day Pass. A pack of 10 tickets (the former carnet) is no longer available.
- Navigo Day Pass: For €12, you get a full day (midnight to midnight) of unlimited travel across all zones of the Île-de-France region (excluding airport lines). This is perfect for days with lots of sightseeing.
Using the Bonjour RATP App:
You can purchase and store all your tickets digitally on the Bonjour RATP app. Simply download the app, create an account, and buy your tickets right from your phone. You can then use your smartphone to tap and validate your ticket at the turnstiles. This is a game-changer for avoiding ticket machine lines and translating to your language!
Step 2: Navigating Paris Metro Stations
Once you have your ticket, you need to find the correct platform. Paris Métro lines are identified by Number (1-14) and Color – note that the big trains are identified by alphabets and may have same colour as the Metro lines. For instance Metro Line 1 (M1) is a yellow line and RER C, which takes you to versailles , is equally yellow. The direction of the line is identified by the Name of the Final Station on that line. If you’re deciding where to stay, our guide to the Best Neighboorhood in Paris will help you choose a Metro-friendly base.”
Key Paris Metro Signs to Know:
| French Signage | English Meaning |
| Ligne 1 | Line 1 |
| Direction La Defense | The direction of the line, named for the final stop. |
| Correspondance | Transfer (to another line) |
| Sortie | Exit (to street level) |
| RER | Regional Express Train (Faster, fewer stops, travels farther out) |
Finding Your Platform:
- Check Your Route: Use a reliable app like Bonjour RATP or Google Maps to find the exact line number and the name of the final station in the direction you need to travel.
- Follow the Signs: Once inside the station, look for signs displaying the Line Number and the Final Destination Name. For example, if you are on Line 4 and need to go North, you will follow the signs that say “Ligne 4 – Direction Porte de Clignancourt.”
Step 3: Riding the Métro
3A. Validating Your Ticket
This is where you begin your journey.
- For a Navigo Card/Smartphone: Hold the card or the back of your unlocked, NFC-enabled smartphone against the purple reader on top of the turnstile. Wait for the green light and the bip, then walk right through.
- For a paper ticket: Insert the ticket into the slot on the front of the machine. The ticket will pop out on top. Grab it quickly, then walk through the turnstile. Keep this ticket until you exit the station!
3B. Boarding the Train
- Wait Behind the Yellow Line: Always stand safely behind the yellow line on the platform.
- Let Passengers Exit: When the train arrives, stand aside and allow all deboarding passengers to exit the car first.
- Opening the Doors: On older trains, the doors are not automatic. You may need to open them yourself by either pulling up the metal handle or pressing the glowing green button.
- Find Your Stop: Most trains have electronic screens or automated announcements that tell you the Prochaine station/ Prochaine arret (Next stop). Check the map above the door to track your progress.
- Exiting: When you reach your destination, look for the “Sortie” (Exit) signs to leave the station and reach street level.
Congratulations, you’ve mastered the Paris Métro!
Finally learning the metro is a huge step, but there’s so much more to discover! Our Free Paris Travel Guide is packed with insider tips on the best hotels, can’t-miss restaurants, hidden gems, and more. Download it now to plan your perfect Parisian adventure!
