Do you want to know everything about the Paris Metro? Would you like to learn about its history, stops, coverage, lines, and so much more? In this article, we explain everything you need to know, whether you live in Paris or are planning a visit.
In this section, we’ll cover everything so your stay in the City of Light is as pleasant and efficient as possible. Paris is a sprawling metropolis with countless attractions, and if you choose to travel by metro to avoid traffic jams, we want you to be fully prepared to enjoy smooth, stress-free journeys. So join us on this virtual journey as we explore the underground world of Paris.
NOTE: In addition to the metro, here are some options for getting around Paris:
- Private transfer to/from Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Private transfer to/from Orly Airport
- Private transfer to/from Disneyland Paris
- Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
- Magical Shuttle: Transport between Disneyland and CDG/ORY airports
Paris Metro Map
Paris is one of the world’s largest and most visited cities, so its metro system has to meet high standards, and today, it does just that.
To understand the importance of the City of Light’s metro, it’s worth noting that it’s the third-largest metro network in the European Union, trailing only London and Madrid. This ensures fast and safe transportation across France’s capital.
Here’s the full Paris metro map:
You can download the high-resolution Paris transport map via this link. If you’re a tourist, it’s a good idea to print a copy for easier viewing or to save the file on your mobile phone for quick access whenever you need it.
Paris Metro Information
Now it’s time to review the most essential aspects of this transit system. If you’re planning to travel to and explore the City of Light, these basic but crucial details will help you get around like a local.
Paris Metro Schedule
Weekdays:
Monday to Thursday: The Paris metro opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 12:45 AM. This means that the first train departs at 6:00 AM from the initial station, and similarly, the last train also operates from the starting station by closing time. So, it’s recommended to avoid taking the metro after 12:30 AM, as it may have already stopped depending on your location.
Fridays and Saturdays: The metro operates from 6:00 AM to 1:45 AM, offering an extra 30 minutes before closing.
Holidays and Weekends:
The metro closes an hour later, with operating hours from 6:00 AM to 1:45 AM.
This flexibility on weekends allows visitors more freedom to enjoy the nightlife and late events around Paris.
The Paris Metro schedule for New Year’s Eve is excellent, as it remains open throughout the night. In fact, most forms of transportation, including the metro and trains, are free all night until noon the following day.
Metro Lines in Paris
The Paris metro network consists of the following lines: it has a total of 14 standard lines, plus two more, named 3bis and 7bis.
NOTE: Your best option is to purchase the Paris Pass since it gives you unlimited access to public transportation.
Each line is identified by a unique number and color, making it easy for both locals and tourists to navigate. Below is a summary of some of the most notable lines:
- Line 1 (Yellow): Crosses Paris from east to west. It’s one of the busiest lines, passing through iconic spots like the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
- Line 2 (Blue): Located in northern Paris, this line stops at major sites such as Montmartre and the Arc de Triomphe.
- Line 3 (Olive): Runs from the northwest to the southeast of the city.
- Line 4 (Fuchsia): The only line that travels north to south across Paris.
- Line 5 (Orange): Connects Place d’Italie with Bobigny – Pablo Picasso in the northeast.
- Line 6 (Light Green): Travels from Charles de Gaulle Airport into the city, with views of the Eiffel Tower along the way.
- Line 7 (Pink): Extends from southern Paris to the north, splitting towards Mairie d’Ivry and Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.
- Line 8 (Purple): Runs through southern Paris, serving areas like the Opera Garnier.
- Line 9 (Brown): Stretches from Pont de Sèvres in the west to Mairie de Montreuil in the east.
- Line 10 (Light Yellow): Connects Boulogne – Pont de Saint-Cloud in the west with Gare d’Austerlitz in the east.
- Line 11 (Light Brown): A short line from Châtelet in the center to Mairie des Lilas in the northeast.
- Line 12 (Dark Green): Runs north to south from Front Populaire to Mairie d’Issy.
- Line 13 (Light Blue): Known for its heavy daily usage, it travels from the north to Châtillon – Montrouge in the south.
- Line 14 (Purple): An automated line with no drivers on the trains.
Types of Tickets
In the Paris metro system, there are different types of tickets, and you’ll need to choose based on where you’re going.
However, the most common options (along with Paris metro fares) include:
- Ticket T+ = single ticket
These are valid for one trip on the metro, buses, trams, and RER within Zone 1. They allow unlimited transfers within a 90-minute period from the first time you use the ticket.
Individual T+ tickets cost approximately €2.10 each. There are also packs of 10 T+ tickets available at a reduced price: €17.35 for adults and €8.65 for children.
The Navigo Easy Card is a reloadable card that replaces traditional paper tickets. The card costs around €2, which is a one-time purchase. It’s a great option for tourists.
- Navigo Day Pass = one-day pass
This special pass offers unlimited travel for a full day. Prices vary by zone, starting at €8.65 for zones 1-2 and going up to €20.60 for all zones.
- Paris Visite Pass = multi-day passes
Ideal for tourists staying several days in Paris, this pass includes unlimited rides on the metro, buses, trams, and RER trains. It also offers some discounts at select tourist attractions. Prices start at €13.55 and increase based on the number of days and zones selected.
- Passe Navigo = weekly and monthly passes
Perfect for long stays in Paris, this pass offers unlimited travel across all zones. The weekly pass costs €22.80.
Having a pass allows you to explore freely without worrying about individual ticket purchases, making sightseeing more relaxed and convenient.
Here’s all the information you need to navigate the Paris Metro without any issues. We hope our guidance is useful because, in the end, that’s our goal.
If your trip is longer, like if you’re already planning what to see in Paris in 4 days, it’s best to get the daily passes, as they’ll be much more cost-effective.
History of the Paris Metro
To help you appreciate a bit of the Paris Metro’s essence, here’s a glimpse into its history. Like everything, the metro has roots, a gradual development, and a remarkable evolution. But for many years, this Parisian transportation system was far from what it is today.
Understandably so—the Paris Metro is one of the oldest in the European Union, meaning its growth over the years has been substantial. In fact, when it first opened, it revolutionized public transportation, as it was one of the few places in the world where people could experience underground rail travel.
In 1845, the Paris government and railway companies deemed it necessary to create a rail network in the capital to transport goods more efficiently, as existing methods of the time slowed down the import and export process.
Then, in 1871, during municipal elections, the idea was raised of establishing a local rail line in the city’s underground, aiming to meet both local and regional transportation needs.
However, this topic stirred conflicts within the Paris government of the time. Some wanted to meet the needs of the city’s residents, while others prioritized commercial interests.
As a result, left- and right-wing parties entered into significant debates (though not overly disruptive) over what would be best for the city.
Eventually, a compromise was reached, and construction on the Paris Metro finally began. The first line constructed was Line 1, with work starting on March 30, 1898 and completing on July 19, 1900—an impressively fast project, given that advanced technology was still in its infancy.
Construction of the Oldest Metro Lines
Line 1 was built to make travel easier for those attending the 1900 Olympic Games and was designed by architect Hector Guimard.
Once Line 1 of the Paris Metro was operational, residents quickly adopted it as a preferred mode of transport, appreciating the cost savings and efficiency it offered over traditional means like buses and trams.
However, during the construction of Line 2, a serious accident occurred due to a short circuit, resulting in the tragic loss of around 84 lives.
After this tragedy, Paris continued expanding its metro network, aiming to connect the entire city and surrounding areas for smoother, more efficient transportation.
Today, the Paris Metro boasts 16 lines, enabling passengers to travel throughout Paris efficiently and without long wait times, which is crucial in this bustling capital where rush hours can be extremely stressful for car commuters.
Thanks to these 16 lines, the Paris Metro has become a central model for subsequent metro developments in other cities and countries. It is also, as previously mentioned, the third-largest metro network in Europe.