Paris Public Transport Guide
Paris has an extensive and efficient public transport system that makes it easy to get around the city. Whether you’re arriving at one of the major airports or navigating the Metro, this guide will help you travel smoothly.
How to Use Public Transport in Paris
Tickets & Payment Methods
The Navigo Card
Navigo: Easy Travel in Paris
Navigo offers flexible travel options for tourists and commuters, from pay-as-you-go to unlimited passes. Find the best Navigo card for your trip below! 🚇🎟️
Navigo Easy
✔ One-time cost: €2
✔ Load T+ tickets, day passes, or 10-pack
✔ No fare capping – reload when needed
📍 Buy at Metro/RER stations & kiosksNavigo Liberté+
✔ Pay-as-you-go with daily capping.
✔ Cheaper than single tickets per trip
✔ Linked to a bank account, billed monthly
📍 Registration requiredNavigo Découverte
Unlimited weekly/monthly travel across all zones.
✔ €31.60/week or €88.80/month
✔ Covers Metro, RER, buses, trams & airports
📍 Buy at ticket counters
Île-de-France Mobilités App
✔ Buy & reload Navigo Easy, Navigo Liberté+, or Navigo Découverte passes.
✔ Check your balance and see past trips.
✔ Plan routes and get real-time transit updates.
✔ Use your phone to validate tickets (if supported by your device).
Paper tickets in Paris are being phased out, but they are still available:
✔ Metro-Train-RER Ticket: €2.50 (€1.25 reduced fare) – valid on Metro, RER (Zone 1), and trains (excluding airport stations).
✔ Bus-Tram Ticket: €2.00 (€1.00 reduced fare) – valid on buses and trams (excluding OrlyBus, RoissyBus, and tram lines T11, T12, T13).
✔ No transfers between Metro & Bus/Tram – tickets are now mode-specific.
✔ Where to buy: Ticket machines, kiosks, and some bus drivers (cash not accepted on buses).
Transport Modes
🚇 Metro (Subway)
The fastest way to travel in Paris. Frequent service, extensive coverage, and easy transfers between lines.
🚆 RER (Regional Express Trains)
Connects Paris to the suburbs, including key destinations like Disneyland Paris, Versailles, and the airports.
🚌 Bus
A scenic and convenient way to travel through areas not served by the Metro. Great for night travel when the Metro is closed.
🚋 Tram
Modern tram lines operate around the city’s outer edges, ideal for getting to business districts and suburban areas.
🛳️ Batobus (River Bus)
A hop-on-hop-off Seine riverboat offering a unique way to see Paris from the water.
🚠 Montmartre Funicular
A short but iconic cable railway that takes visitors up Montmartre hill to Sacré-Cœur.
Zones & Fare System
Paris is divided into 5 fare zones for public transport.
- Zone 1: Covers central Paris, including most tourist attractions.
- Zones 1-3: Covers areas within the city and some nearby suburbs.
- Zones 1-5: Includes Disneyland Paris, Versailles, and airports (CDG & ORY).
- Fares: Based on distance traveled and transport type (Metro, RER, bus, tram).
- Peak vs. Off-Peak: No peak pricing on Metro or buses, but some RER & train fares vary.
- Daily Cap: Using a Navigo Liberté+ card ensures you never overpay after reaching the daily limit.
💡 Quick Tips
Always tap in when using the Metro, RER, buses, and trams. No need to tap out on the Metro.
In Buses no tap-out required. You don’t tap off for any forms of transport, except the RER
You can buy a bus ticket directly from your phone. Simply text “Bus” + your route number (e.g., “Bus29”) to 93100, and receive your ticket instantly. The fare is charged directly to your phone bill—no need for cash or a card.
Your daily fare is capped when using Navigo Liberté+ (contactless payment).
Avoid using the Metro during rush hours (8-10 AM & 5-7 PM)—it can get very crowded.
Cash is not accepted on buses (only in some instances and you should have the exact amount)—buy tickets in advance or use Navigo Easy.
Stand on the right side of escalators to let people pass on the left.
Boarding Tip: On buses, always enter through the front door and tap your card.
Night buses (Noctilien) operate when the Metro is closed (12:30 AM – 5:30 AM).
Paris offers several fast and affordable transport options to reach the city center from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY). Below are the best ways to get to central Paris using public transport.
✈️ Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Transport Options
| 🚆 RER B Train | 🚌 RoissyBus | 🚌 Bus 350 / 351 |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 €13 | 💰 €13 | 💰 €13 |
| 🕒 25-30 min | 🕒 60-75 min | 🕒 70-90 min |
| 📍 CDG ➝ Gare du Nord, Châtelet | 📍 CDG ➝ Opéra | 📍 350: CDG ➝ Gare de l'Est |
| 🎟️ Paris Region – Airports Ticket | 🎟️ RoissyBus Ticket | 🎟️ Paris Region – Airports Ticket |
| 🔗 Buy Ticket | 🔗 Buy Ticket | 🔗 Buy Ticket |
✈️ Orly (ORY) Transport Options
| 🚆 Orlyval + RER B | 🚌 OrlyBus | 🚋 Tram T7 + Metro 7 |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 €13 | 💰 €13 | 💰 €13 |
| 🕒 35 min | 🕒 30 min | 🕒 50 min |
| 📍 Orly ➝ Antony ➝ RER B | 📍 Orly ➝ Denfert-Rochereau | 📍 Orly ➝ Villejuif ➝ Metro 7 |
| 🎟️ Paris Region – Airports Ticket | 🎟️ OrlyBus Ticket | 🎟️ Paris Region – Airports Ticket |
| 🔗 Buy Ticket | 🔗 Buy Ticket | 🔗 Buy Ticket |
✈️ Beauvais (BVA) Transport Options
📍 Route: Beauvais Airport → Porte Maillot (West Paris)
🕒 Duration: ~75 minutes (depends on traffic)
💰 Fare: €16.90 (online) / €18 (on-site)
📅 Frequency: Every 20-25 minutes after each flight arrival
🎟️ Tickets: Buy online in advance or at the airport kiosk
📌 Where to arrive: Shuttle drops off at Porte Maillot, where you can connect to:
•Metro Line 1 (direct to central Paris)
• RER C
Tourist Travel Passes
Navigo Easy
✔ Affordable & flexible – a reloadable smart card replacing paper tickets.
✔ Load options:
•Metro & RER
•Buses & trams
• Day passes & 10-ticket packs
• Airport & long-distance RER tickets available
✔ Why it’s great for tourists: Easy to use, avoids paper tickets, and works across most transport modes.
📍 Where to buy: Metro/RER stations, kiosks.
❌ Cannot be shared – each traveler needs their own card.
Navigo Découverte
✔ Unlimited travel for 1 week (€31.60) or 1 month (€88.80).
✔ Covers all zones, including Metro, RER, buses, trams, and airport transfers (CDG, Orly).
✔ Why it’s great for tourists: Best value for a full week, especially for those visiting Versailles, Disneyland, or taking frequent trips.
📍 Where to buy: Metro/RER stations, ticket counters.
❌ The card is non-refundable and non – transferable
Paris Visite Pass
✔ Unlimited travel for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days.
✔ Ideal for: Tourists on short visits seeking hassle-free travel, with added benefits of discounts at select attractions.
✔ Includes discounts on tourist attractions.
✔ Covers Metro, RER, buses, trams, and optional airport access (Zones 1-5).
💰 €29.90 for 1 day
📍 Where to buy: Metro stations, airports, and online.
💡 The pass is personal and non-transferable; children aged 4-9 receive a 50% discount
Alternative Transport: Bikes & Boats 🚲 ⛴️
⛴️ Hop-on, hop-off boat service along the Seine.
🏙️ Enjoy stunning views of Paris landmarks like the Eiffel Tower & Notre-Dame.
💳 Tickets: €23 (1-day), €27 (2-day), available online or at docks.
🕒 Boats run every 25-40 minutes throughout the day. Operating hours may vary according to season.
Accessible Travel in Paris: A Guide for Everyone
Paris’s public transport system aims to accommodate all travelers, including those with mobility impairments, visual or hearing disabilities, and other accessibility needs. From step-free stations to audio announcements, here’s what you need to know for a smooth journey.
Step-Free Access 🚇
🚇 Metro & RER: Most RER stations have elevators, but the Metro is not fully accessible—only Line 14 and some stations on Line 1 have step-free access.
🚌 Buses: 100% accessible, with low-floor entry and priority seating.
🚋 Trams: Fully accessible, with level boarding at all stops.
Audio & Visual Announcements 🦻
📢 Metro & RER: Announcements provide station updates and delays.
📺 Digital displays show next stops and service status in stations and vehicles.
🚌 Buses & Trams: Stop names are announced visually and audibly.
Assistance Services 🆘
🚇 RATP Agents: Available at major stations for assistance.
📱 RATP Accessibility App: Offers real-time updates on elevator status & disruptions.
🚖 G7 Access Taxis: Wheelchair-accessible taxis available on request.
Contact & Help
For users needing additional assistance:
📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 Link: RATP Accessibility Guide
Top 5 Most Scenic Transport Routes
📌 Last Verified: February 2025 – Transport details may change. Check official sources for the latest updates. 🚍📅