By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com
You can’t fully experience Paris unless you ride its Metro. It as as much part of the city as sidewalk cafes and the Eiffel Tower.
To come – especially to Americans who have no public transportation where they live and drive everywhere they go – it can be intimidating. But toss those worries aside like an old pair of shoes, for riding the Metro in Paris is easy and after a couple of trips you will (almost) have it down like a local.
So here are tips and important things to know about riding the Metro in Paris. If you are going for the 2024 Summer Games, then also read these tips for getting aound Paris during the Olympics.
Basic Paris Metro Information And Facts
You can buy an all-day Metro pass for about 9 Euros at any station (this is for Zones 1, 2 & 3, which covers all the areas you need). For rookies, I suggest bypassing the machines and buying a ticket at a window, which are staffed by people who will take care of you. I know, because I rely on them to help me. In addition to selling you a ticket, they will kindly point you in the correct direction on the train.
I’ve seen people on TikTok recommending people to download an App, but I never needed one. Just buy the ticket at a window. Plus, for an App, you need a WiFi connection and if you’re like me, I had my phone on Airplane Mode the entire time to avoid expensive overseas roaming charges. Pro’s tip: The “flippers” at the entrance on the Metro do not open automatically when you insert your ticket; you have to push them open.
Paris Metro Main Lines & Stops
There are several Metro lines. For the Eiffel Tower, example, line Line 9 (exit the Trocadéro Station Line 6 to Bir-Hakeim Station or Line 8to the École-Militaire Station. For the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triumph, Metro lines 1, 2, 6 go there; exit at the Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile station. Line 1 is a main line of the Metro with stops that include the Louvre.
What Is It Like Riding On The Paris Metro?
One of the first things you will learn about the Paris Metro is that a seat is a luxury item. Mostly you will be standing, swaying a bit with other passengers while holding onto a pole or other object you can find to brace yourself. Don’t worry, tho, for most rides are only a few stops and last between five an 15 minutes.
Pro’s Tip: Try and stand near a door because above it there is a map of the Metro stops, so you can easily know when to get off at your stop. Some even have lights that turn off as you pass a station showing you the upcoming stops. This is helpful in two ways: you can easily see how many stops the Metro has left before your exit and it provides an assurance that you are headed in the right direction. If you’re not – and that happened to me a few times – simply get off at the next stop and get on the same train going in the opposite direction.
Exiting The Metro
This may seem to be the easiest part of it but it’s not, really. This is because the stations have long tunnels to the exit and you can come out on any of four sides of the stop.
More than once, I found myself popping out onto the street only to be scratching my head as to where I was at the time. It is not uncommon at all to be a two-minute walk from where your destination but it might take you and hour to find it because you came out of the wrong exit. Add to the fact that there are at least a half-dozen streets going at all angles with street names and addresses that are sometimes – but not always – on the side of buildings rather than on street signs, and you’ll be standing there like me, walking aimlessly in some direction hoping you will stumble upon your destination.
Now you might think finding a landmark like the Louve or Eiffel Tower is a no-brainer but Paris is full of so many gigantic buildings that it’s easy to quickly get disoriented. Take the Paris Opera, for instance. It is huge, the size of some small-town neighborhoods. There are several other big buildings around it. I was looking for the famous Harry’s New York Bar, creator of the Bloody Mary and other cocktails, which is a mere two minutes from the Opera exit. It took me more than an hour to find the place.
Things like that happen all the time. I just chuckle and figure I’m getting to see more of Paris than I had originally planned, and that’s a good thing.
Frankly, I don’t have any tips here other than politely to ask someone. Most people, tho, are moving at a pace that makes you wonder if there’s a fire or flood in the tunnel so you may be on your own until you get onto a street.
Avoiding Crime On The Paris Metro
I’ve riden the Metro several times and never had a problem and most people don’t either. Still, it is important to be alert and to be aware of your surroundings because the Paris Metro is notorious for theft to the point that there are regular announcements made while you are waiting on the platform.
Here are ways signs to look for when it comes to pickpocketing:
• They usually operate in groups of two. One will make the initial move and while you are focused on them, the other will commit the crime.
• They will create a distraction, such as rudely bumping into you, touching you or making a loud noise. When this happens, put your hand on your wallet or hold your puse extra tight.
• They prefer packed trains.
• The operate primarily in the most heavily visited areas so be extra keen to things at stops involving the Eiffel Tower, Louve and Champs-Élysées.
I had a friend whose bag was stolen in the Metro when the thief made a loud banging noise. He let his guard down and his duffle bag was gone within seconds, taken by the accomplice. The thiefs were probably quite disappointed to discover that all they had stolen was a bag of dirty socks and underwear – serves them right! – but my friend was suddenly out some clothes and a bag to hold them.
Overall, tho, the Paris Metro is safe, reliable and a great way to get around the City of Lights.