The Paris metro is one of the oldest subway systems in the world, but the recent work that has been done on it makes it feel like a modern and brand new system. Don’t be afraid of the metro, it is safe and the easiest way to get around Paris.
The cost of a metro ticket is about 1.40 €. If you plan on using the metro multiple times, it is more economical to buy a “carnet”, which costs 10.90€ for travel within the confines of Paris itself. If you go to the suburbs the ticket will be a little more.
Another option is to buy a “carte orange hebdomadaire” which is a metro pass valid for one week, from Monday – Sunday. This pass allows unlimited travel on the metro, RER and bus in the zones that you purchase (zones 1 and 2 will cover everything you will need). This includes the funiculaire of Montmartre. Be sure to bring a passport size photo with you, which you must attach to the pass. There are photo booths in some metro stations as well. Hold onto the pass and the ticket, as you only get one ticket that you re-use all week. The carte orange costs about 16€ for central Paris. NOTE: THE CARTE ORANGE IS SOON TO BE REPLACED BY THE NAVIGO CARD, WHICH IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF PARIS.
There is also a “Paris Visite” pass which is valid for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days. You can buy this at any metro station, but be sure to write your name and the ticket number on the card. You buy this for the zone you will need, and the more zones you need the more expensive it is. Zones 1-3 should be enough for you, although Versailles is in zone 4. Prices range from 8.50€ for one day in zones 1-3 to 46.60€ for five days zones 1-5.
Using the metro:
First, you should be armed with a good metro map. Use the one from this site, from your map of Paris or from your hotel. It will be indispensable.
Some people get very intimidated by the subway system in Paris. It is, in fact, a very easy and efficient means of transportation. It just takes practice. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Once you purchase your ticket, put it through the slot on the turnstile and come through, being sure to collect the ticket on the other side.
Don’t discard your ticket before exiting the metro, as you may be asked to present it at any time.
To find the correct train be sure to consult the many maps available on the walls of the metro station (or if you have one of your own). Locate the station you are at, and the one you want to go to. Look at the number of the line that station is on, and then look at the name of the end of the line in the direction you are traveling. That’s the number and direction of the train you want to use.
If you must make a transfer, find the best route to take from the line you are on to the line that your desired station is on. Follow the directions above until you arrive at the station you need. Be sure to follow the “correspondance” signs, not the “sortie” signs. “Correspondance” will keep you in the subway, and “sortie” will take you outside.
THE METRO IS GENERALLY SAFE, but be sure not to make yourself a victim. Hold onto bags, be attentive, don’t speak loud English in trains. Be careful on line 4 at night, especially up in the Montmartre area.
To use the RER: The RER is what you will use if you plan to go to Versailles or EuroDisney. It works much like the metro, although the trains are faster and there are fewer stops. Be sure to keep your ticket, as you must re-introduce it into a turnstile in order to exit the RER.
