Public Transport Guide in Paris

A Complete Guide to Parisian public transports, routes and ticket options for locals and travelers in Paris. Get easily from one place to another.

Paris has a very well-developed and efficient public transport system with an extensive metro, train (RER), bus, and tram network, serving the entire city and suburbs.

In this guide, learn about the different means of public transport, what tickets are available and which one you should buy for your trip, as well as other important details.

Other Recommended Articles:
Top 10 Things to do in Paris
Best Museums to Visit in Paris
Best Things to do with Kids in Paris
Best Places for Shopping in Paris
Best Restaurants in Paris

table of contents
1.
Which City Pass is worthwhile for Travelers in Paris?
2.
How does public transportation work in Paris?
3.
Which transport tickets should you buy in Paris ?
4.
Special Tickets
5.
Network of Paris lines
6.
The Transport App in Paris: RATP
7.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Which City Pass is worthwhile for Travelers in Paris?

Best City Card Options 

A city pass for Paris is a fantastic option for travelers who want to make the most of their trip. It offers discounted or even free access to the city's key attractions and activities, saving you both time and money. Having a city pass allows you to easily plan your itinerary and explore the rich culture and history of the French capital without breaking the bank.

Comparison Table for City Pass Options in Paris


PARIS WELCOME CARD

PARIS MUSEUM PASS

PARIS PASS

PARIS PASSLIB'

ALL INCLUSIVE PASS

PARIS EXPLORER PASS

PARIS CITY PASS

CITY PASSES

Paris Museum Pass
The Paris Pass
Paris Passlib
All Inclusive-Pass
Paris Explorer Pass
Paris City Pass (Turbopass)

A CATEGORY ATTRACTIONS

B CATEGORY ATTRACTIONS

C CATEGORY ATTRACTIONS

ATTRACTIONS THAT INCLUDED

Optional Selection

Optional Selection

Optional Selection

3-6

Optional Selection

3-7

60+

VALIDITY PERIOD

Flexible

2-6 Days

2-6 Days

1 Year

2-6 Days

60 Days

2-6 Days

DELIVERY METHOD

Digital Pass

Digital Pass / Airport Pick Up

Digital Pass

Digital Pass

Digital Pass

Digital Pass

Digital Pass

AIPORT TRANSFER

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

PRICE FOR ADULTS

From 12.00 €

BUY

From

55 to 85 €

BUY

From 89 to 229 €

BUY

From 35 to 189 €

BUY

From 89 to 229 €

BUY

From 119 to 189 €

BUY

From 110 to 210 €

BUY

Our Recommendation: We highly recommend the Paris Welcome Card, a budget-friendly city pass for exploring Paris. What sets it apart from other city card options is the flexibility to create your own personalized card by selecting only the activities you wish to experience. As a bonus, you are not restricted to a specific number of activities and can take full advantage of discounted ticket prices. 

Buy Your Paris Welcome Card Here

How does public transportation work in Paris?

In Paris, the urban transport consists of:

  • a metro network called Le Métro Parisien
  • a well-developed bus network called Réseau de bus RATP
  • a Paris suburban railway called Le RER
  • various tram lines called Tram 

Tariff: 

Ticket T+ single trip ticket costs €1.90. The 10-pack called "Carnet" costs €16.90. Single trip ticket for children between 4 and 10 costs €8.45. Children under 4 do not need a ticket.

Mobilis daily ticket costs €7.50.

Paris Visit ticket costs between €12 and €38.35 depending on the number of days you select.

One way regular transport tickets, called "Tickets T+", can be bought at all metro and RER stations in Paris, either at ticket offices or from ticket machines. They are single-usage for metros, bus and RER, but only inside Paris. 

There are 2 complementary ticket options available for travelers or locals:

  • The Mobilis tickets give you access to the zones you paid for during one whole day. The Zones to select for the center of Paris are Zone 1-2. This day ticket pays off from four single trips.
  • The Paris Visit tickets give you access to the zones you paid during the number of days you selected (1, 2, 3 or 5 days available). 

They are both available to buy in metro or RER stations at the ticket offices or from ticket machines. When you bought them, then you must stamped them at the turnstiles before you can access your train.

Means of Transport in Paris

  • Metro: Paris boasts 16 metro lines, spanning 220 kilometers with 304 stops. Its efficient network seamlessly connects neighborhoods and attractions, making it a convenient and cost-effective mode of transport to reach almost anywhere in Paris. Each line is identified by a distinct color and number, and metros are frequent, usually arriving every few minutes. This ensures easy and efficient transportation for both locals and visitors. Read More: How to use the Metro in Paris
  • RER: Paris's rapid-transit RER system consists of 5 lines, connecting the city center to suburbs. With bigger and faster trains than metros, it offers time-saving transportation for longer distances. Additionally, 8 TER lines further extend travel options for exploring destinations beyond Paris's immediate outskirts. Tourists frequently utilize the RER to conveniently travel to popular destinations like Versailles and Disneyland Paris.
  • Bus: Paris boasts 350 bus lines, providing extensive coverage throughout the city. While traffic may impact reliability, buses offer a scenic means of exploration and access to destinations beyond other modes of transport. There are night buses, which run from 12.30am to 5.30am, but their nighttime travel experience may vary in comfort and pleasantness.
  • Tram: Paris features 8 tram lines that primarily serve the city's outskirts, making them less attractive to visitors. Consequently, tourists tend to opt for alternative modes of transportation within the main areas of the city, rather than utilizing these tram lines
How to Use the Metro in Paris

Which transport tickets should you buy in Paris ?

Here you will find an overview of the most important tickets and their conditions.

Which one will suit your needs during your trip to Paris ?

  1. 1
    Single trip: The ticket is valid for 1.5 to 2 hours, you may change, but not interrupt. The ticket costs 1,90€. Paris is divided into zones, this price is valid for zones 1 and 3, the inner city area.
  2. 2
    One-Day ticket: Mobilis Tickets are valid for 24 hours from midnight to midnight. Any number of journeys is possible, you may change and interrupt the journey. The ticket is valid on all Parisian lines, except for the special connections to the airports. A one-day ticket costs €7.50. More information on RATP website.
  3. 3
    Day tickets for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days: Any number of journeys is possible, you may change and interrupt the journey. The ticket is valid on all Parisian lines, except for the special connections to the airports. For example, for zones 1 - 3, Paris Center, 5 days cost €38.35, while zones 1-5, which include Versailles and Disneyland Paris, cost 65,80 €. But I you will go to Versailles or Disney only one day, you can buy an extra ticket that goes to zone 5 only for that day. More information on RATP website.
  4. 4
    Ticket to the airports:  Shuttle buses run regularly to airports, both Charles de Gaulle and Orly, and Air France buses can also be used by guests of other airlines. Neither airport is located in the city center and a ticket for zones 1-5 is required. More information on RATP website.

For an additional overview, visit the Paris RATP site, which lists all special fares. Prices are generally increased annually on the 1st of January. 

Special Tickets

Here is an overview of special tickets for public transport in Paris. These include, for example, annual tickets, student tickets and senior tickets. 

  1. 1
    Weekly ticket: The ticket is valid for all zones in the metropolitan area of Paris and costs €22,80. You need a passport photo and a one-time issuing fee of €5,00 is charged. The weekly ticket is always valid from Monday to Sunday.
  2. 2
    Monthly ticket: The ticket is valid for all zones in the greater Paris area and costs €75,20. You need a passport photo and a one-time issuing fee of €5,00 is charged. The monthly ticket is always valid from the 1st day to the last day of a month.
  3. 3
    Reduced tickets: These include youth tickets, senior tickets, semester tickets and tax-deductible company tickets.

More information on the price of the individual tickets can be found on the webpage of the
Parisian public transport companies. It also contains an overview of tickets for supported groups of people. 

Network of Paris lines

The inner area of Paris is served by the metro, so all major sights are within easy reach. It is said that in Paris there is a metro stop every 300 meters. There is also a very well-developed bus network. The trams run in the suburbs of Paris.

An overview of the metro lines can be found here, an overview of the buses can be found under this link.    

Contact of the transport companies

The Transport App in Paris: RATP

Download the free transport App of Parisian Railway System called RATP and find your way easily in the French Capital.

DOWNLOAD RATP APP

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Where can I find the timetable of the Parisian public transport lines?

You can find the timetable of the Parisian public transport lines under the following link: Pariser Linien

Is there a one-day ticket in Paris?

Yes, there is a one-day ticket for travel on public transport. It becomes profitable from four trips on public transport in one day. 

Tickets for single trips are also sold in packs of ten, as so-called "carnet". Carnets are about 30% cheaper than normal single tickets. As they are not personal, several people can share a "carnet".

Is there a separate ticket for tourists in Paris?

The Paris Welcome Card is a card for public transport in combination with discounts at the entrance to sights, museums and attractions.

From how many trips does a day ticket become profitable?

The purchase of a one-day ticket becomes profitable in Paris from four single trips with the normal price. This applies to the entire public transport network.
Tickets for single journeys are also sold in packs of ten, known as "carnet". Carnets are about 30% cheaper than normal single tickets. As they are not personal, several people can share a "carnet".

Also interesting:

Best Areas to Stay in Paris

Guide to Gare du Nord Train Station in Paris

Disneyland Paris: Tickets, Rides, Hotels and Deals

Load More

Paris Welcome Card

by ParisTouristInformation.fr

Be Flexible and Independent. Create Your Own Digital Pass

Get it Now
>