Bus, Metro, RER, Noctilien and Vélib' in Paris

Paris is well served by public transport. It has the Metro underground subway system, a tramway, buses and night bus (noctilien) and river Batôbus. Plus the RER regional train service that extends to the suburbs and the Ile de France...

Below is information on the Metro, RER, Bus and Noctilien, Tramway and Batôbus.

Paris Public Transport Network

RATP is the public transport authority for Paris. It operates the Metro (subway) lines (14 lines identified by colour), the RER (Réseau Express Régional) suburban express railway (lines A, B, C, D and E), the Noctilien (night buses), Orlyval airport rail connections, the Tramway and Montmartre funicular.

The RER connects Paris and the Ile de France regions with the Metro system and the SNCF (Société National des Chemins de Fer) main-line railway.

Children under 4 years old can travel for free on all transport networks, provided they do not occupy a seat. Children under age 10 receive a fare reduction of 50%. Visit the RAPT website for more details on fares for children.

  • RATP (customer service)
    Tel: 34 24
    Tel Lost Property: 32 46 (Calls are charged at €0.80 per minute plus the cost of a local call)

The services

  • Interactive map of all RATP service
  • Plan a journey on all types of transport (RER, Metro, Tramway, Bus, Noctilien and Transilien
  • The RATP App provides passengers with information on how to get around Paris and the Ile-de Franc11e region. Customers receive alerts about travel disruption

Take the:

  • Metro for trips to Paris and nearby suburbs
  • RER for Paris and suburbs
  • SNCF for suburban Paris and intercity connections

Save proof of payment, the RATP fare inspectors make frequent visits on bus, metro and RER lines. Fines must be paid if a passenger fails to produce proof of payment. Other infractions include: smoking where prohibited; unauthorised filming or taking of photographs; and vandalism.

Tickets

There are a variety of tickets and pass cards available depending on a commuters needs. Tickets and passes are sold in all Metro and RER stations, and can be bought at a ticket counter or from a vending machine. Tickets can also be bought at authorised retailers displaying the RATP logo such as Newsagents (presse), bookshops and tobacconists (tabacs) displaying the RATP. Bus tickets for a single trip can be bought from the driver.

There are also special packages for visitors; these include the Paris Visite visitors pass which allows for travel on all transport for specified time period. The pass also offers discounts to some local attractions. Booking the Paris Visite can be done online.

Train tickets (except print at home or mobile tickets) must be validated at the yellow machines market ‘compostez votre billet’ before boarding the train. The date and validation code will appear on the rear of the ticket.

For details on ticket prices for various journeys visit the RAPT website.

Tickets for OrlyBus and RoissyBus lines can be paid for on board via a contactless bank card.
For more details visit the RAPT website

E-Tickets

SNCF train and bus tickets can be purchased online. They can be printed at home or stored on a mobile device. E-tickets do not need to be validated before boarding.

·         To book an OuiSNCF train journey

·         To book an OuiSNCF bus journey

The SNCF OUI App is a useful tool for booking, downloading or exchanging bus and train tickets. E-tickets are stored in the app and passengers do not need to print or validate tickets before travelling.

T+ tickets for RAPT services can be purchased online via the official Paris Tourism website


Pass Navigo, Navigo Liberté+ and Navigo Easy

The Passe Navigo is a small contactless smartcard purchased for €5 from authorised outlets.

In 2019 RAPT offered a new pass known as Navigo Liberté+ and Navigo Easy. Navigo passes are aimed at residents or workers in Île-de-France and those who travel occasionally with t+ ticket. There are plans to roll out this system across the public transport network in an effort to reduce paper ticket waste in the city. Passengers buy a Navigo smartcard pass which must be validated on each journey. Each month the total number of trips are calculated and deducted from the user’s bank account.

·         For more information on Navigo Liberté+

·         For more information on Navigo Easy

·         To sign up visit the Navigo website

·         To download the Navigo app

 

Paris transport passes: the t+ ticket

 

The Paris t+ ticket allows for travel on:

  • The entire metro system and the Montmartre funicular
  • RER (RATP and SNCF-run lines) in Paris
  • Parisian and suburban RATP buses (except lines with special rates such as the Orlybus and Roissybus)
  • Most bus lines belonging to the Optile network (a group of private bus companies serving the larger suburban area)
  • The Noctilien night bus service (transfers not included)
  • Transfers from one bus to another or from buses to trams
  • Transfers from one line to another on the metro and RER system within Paris

The ticket is stamped for each bus or tram journey. The ticket allows for one or several transfers to be made during an hour and a half between the first and last validation of a ticket

 

Ticket tips

  • If you travel to the suburbs, check the zone of your destination and make sure that you pay the appropriate fare before you board. Failure to do so may leave you stuck at the turnstile on exit
  • All tickets must be validated. This is done automatically upon entering the metro turnstile. Buses are equipped with ticket punching machines at the front of the vehicle. At train stations validate tickets at the yellow machines market ‘compostez votre billet’ before boarding the train. The date and validation code will appear on the rear of the ticket.

 

Metro

There are 14 lines on the Metro and two additional lines called 3bis and 7bis. Services run from 05:30-01:15 and until 02:15 on Friday and Saturday.

  • Metro maps are available on the RATP website. A PDF version can be downloaded onto a mobile device.

Metro "How to"

  • At the turnstile/barrier, insert your ticket in the first slot and recover it from the second
  • Follow the signs to the appropriate line and platform. Blue boards indicate the line number, direction, next stations and interchanges
  • To board a train, simply lift the handle or press the green button on the door (newer models have automated doors)
  • Track your itinerary using the station maps displayed inside each wagon. If you transfer to another line, look for the sign marked CORRESPONDANCE
  • At your destination, follow the sign marked SORTIE. Larger stations have multiple exits each usually distinguished by a street name. An area map is posted near each exit

Note:

  • Line 7: fork at Maison Blanche: Service for each direction alternates, but lights on the front of the train indicate the destination
  • Line 7bis: one-way service: Limited service for stations after Botzaris
  • Line 10: one-way service: Limited service for certain stations between Eglise d'Ateuil and Mirabeau
  • Line 13: fork at La Fourche: Service for each direction alternates, but lights on the front of the train indicate the destination
  • Search métro times

 

RER

In Paris proper, riding the RER can be faster than the riding the Metro because of the limited number of stations.

Signs on the platform indicated the direction and monitors on the platform indicate the next departures. Trains to the suburbs, don't necessarily stop at all stations on the line. Lighted boards on the platform indicate the next train's route; routes for all other trains are posted on RER schedules near the ticket windows. There is no specific first-class seating.

Bus

Buses run from approximately 07:00-20:30. Exact hours vary according to each bus line with some operating until 00:30. Many do not run Sundays or holidays.

Bus route maps are posted at the bus stops. Most bus stops have electronic displays indicating the waiting time for the next bus to arrive. Some are also equipped with USB ports for recharging mobile devices. A single ticket is required to ride most bus lines. An additional ticket is required for each transfer. Special fares apply to Orlybus, Roissybus, Noctilien and Balabus.

The city's periphery is served by 3 bus lines that make up the Petite Ceinture (Little Belt), or PC. A single ticket is required to ride any one of these. On Sunday and holidays, Balabus departs from the Gare de Lyon for a 2-hour tour of the city terminating at the Grande Arche de la Défense.

 

At bus stops, electronic displaysigns indicate the waiting time for the next bus to arrive. Bus stops are also sometimes equipped with USB ports for you to recharge your smartphone.

Noctilien

The Noctilien night bus network of buses runs from 00:30-05:30, on 47 lines throughout Ile-de-France.

For bus times:

 

Tramway

There are 7 tramway lines running between various points (see below). There are plans to introduce two more tramlines in 2020 and 2021. Tickets are the same as those used on the metro and RER in Paris

  • T1 Asnières - Gennevilliers - Les Courtilles ↔ Noisy-le-Sec
  • T2 Pont de Bezons ↔ Porte de Versailles
  • T3a Pont du Garigliano ↔ Porte de Vincennes
  • T3b Porte de Vincennes ↔ Porte de la Chapelle
  • T5 Marché de Saint-Denis ↔ Garges – Sarcelles
  • T6 Châtillon / Montrouge with Vélizy-Villacoublay
  • T7 Villejuif / Louis Aragon and Athis-Mons.
  • T8 Saint-Denis- Porte de Paris with Épinay – Orgemont.
  • Search tramway times

Batôbus

Batôbus is a "bus boat" which serves nine stops along the River Seine and operates all year-round. The Boats leave 20-45 minutes depending on the time of year. Stops include the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysées, Musée d'Orsay, Musée du Louvre, St-Germain-des-Prés, Notre-Dame, Hôtel de Ville, the Louvre, Beaugrenelle and Jardin des Plantes.

For more information visit Batôbus