Fresh back from our brief jaunt in Paris, I thought I’d write a post with a few tips on getting around Paris on the subway (metro).
If you can do so, and avoid using cabs and walking TOO far, you can save alot of money and get alot more time for sight seeing while you’re there.
It can also be tougher if you don’t speak French, so I hope this is helpful.
1. Subway Tickets
Called “billets”, you can buy tickets for the Metro either in single or in bunches. You can buy a “carnet” which is 10 tickets for about 11 euros and is about the best value if you’re in the city for more than a couple of days.
There’s one thing you really need to remember which fortunately we were told, and that is that when you use a subway ticket for a single journey, and you get it back as you walk through the gate, it doesn’t look any different after it’s used than before it’s used. So you HAVE to make sure you keep separate your used tickets and your unused ones.
Furthermore, use of one ticket means putting it into the machine when you go into the station to take the train AND when you leave the other station that is your destination. So you HAVE to make sure your current ticket stays with the unused tickets and the USED tickets go in the bin or in another pocket.
Even knowing this, we had a number of times where we stood feeding numerous tickets into the gate trying to find which one hadn’t been used.
2. Which Line?
The main lines you’ll use are:
a) The yellow number 1. This is the main line that runs up and down parallel to the Champs Elysees (amongst other places) On it you can get to the Arc Du Triomphe (Charles De Gaule Etoile Station), The Louvre Museum (Louvre Rivoli Station), Hotel DeVille (Hotel DeVille Station), Chatelet (short walk from here across the bridge to the Notre Dame Cathedral) and many more. This line runs between (and you’ll see this on the signs) Ch. de Vincennes and La Defense.
b) The blue line number 2. This is the line that’ll take you from the train station (if you came in on the Eurostar or some other train) into town. After the Gare Du Nord stop (La Chapelle station) it passes along the Montmartre area (stops like Anvers and Pigalle) and by the Moulin Rouge (by the station called Blanche). This line runs between (keep a lookout on the signs) Nation and Port Dauphine.
c) Light green line number 6. This is the line with a stop closest to the Eiffel Tower, the Bir Hakeim station. You’ll also go to this station if you want to catch the C train over to Versailles (well worth the trip!). Light green line runs between Charles De Gaulle Etoile and Nation.
3. Stations Where Many Trains Pass Through = Helpful
There are certain stations you can use as guide points because many different lines pass through there.
Our hotel was very near to one such station, Charles De Gaulle Etoile. The yellow, light green, blue and red lines all run through this station (closest the Arc Du Triomphe) so if you’re ever lost you can find your way to this station and can get to almost anywhere else in town.
The station NATION is another one similar but at the other end of the city. Chatelet is another one that’s in the middle of the city, between those 2.
That’s probably all you need to know to get around Paris efficiently as a non French speaking Paris traveler.
Also
And may I add — Charles de Gaulle Etoile and Charles de Gaulle are two totally different stations.
If you make a mistake, you can actually back to the nearest interchange station (station where connections are possible), such as Charles de Gaulle Etoile or Chatelet. Assuming you haven’t gone out of the exit yet.
The French generally keep to themselves and give the impression of being aloof. But when we were there and we got lost several times, we asked for directions from various strangers and everyone was helpful. One time, a guy even kept the train doors open to give us time to jump off the train!
P.S. Tickets in carnets are the best way to go. You can also use the tickets for some buses.
Enjoy!
For more advice for visiting the French capital check out my Paris travel guide. I’ve written several articles about this city recently, and as you’ve probably guessed I love it! Here are some are some more useful tips:
• Best neighbourhoods to stay in Paris
• Cheap places to eat in Paris
• Local markets to visit in Paris
• Top rated language schools in Paris
