What if I lose my Metro ticket?

You'll need to buy a new one. Inspectors fine €50+ for no ticket. Keep your ticket in a secure pocket and don't throw it away until you're completely outside the station.

How do I know which Metro exit to take?

Check Citymapper before boarding—it shows which exit gets you closest to your destination. Look for blue exit signs with street names. Major stations have maps showing what's near each exit.

Is the Metro safe at night?

Generally safe until about 11pm in tourist areas. After that, stick to well-lit central lines (1, 4, 6, 9, 14). Avoid Line 13 late at night and empty stations after midnight.

Can I use the same ticket for buses?

No, Metro tickets don't work on buses or trams. You need separate tickets (€2.15 each) or a Navigo pass that covers all transport. RER trains in central Paris zones use Metro tickets.

How to navigate the Paris Metro efficiently

Buy a Navigo weekly pass or individual tickets, download the Citymapper app for real-time directions, and always keep your ticket until you exit the station. The Metro runs 5:30am-1:15am (2:15am weekends) with trains every 2-7 minutes.

Get your tickets sorted before you travel. Buy a Navigo weekly pass (costs €30) if staying 4+ days, or individual tickets (€2.15 each) for shorter trips. Avoid tourist passes unless you're doing heavy sightseeing. Buy from machines at any station using contactless payment or cash.
Download Citymapper and check your route. Citymapper gives real-time delays, platform changes, and walking directions to entrances. Check which exit you need before boarding—some stations have 10+ exits and you'll save 10 minutes by picking the right one.
Find your direction using end stations. Paris Metro lines are named by their end stations, not numbers. Look for signs showing the final destination in your direction. Example: Line 1 to Vincennes goes east, Line 1 to Château de Vincennes goes west.
Board strategically and keep moving. Let people exit first, then board quickly. Move to the center of the car to avoid door crowds. On escalators, stand right, walk left. Keep your ticket until you're completely out of the station—inspectors check randomly.
Navigate transfers efficiently. Follow orange 'Correspondance' signs for transfers. Major interchange stations like Châtelet-Les Halles can take 10+ minutes to walk through. Check your app for the fastest connection route before you start walking.

What if I lose my Metro ticket?: You'll need to buy a new one. Inspectors fine €50+ for no ticket. Keep your ticket in a secure pocket and don't throw it away until you're completely outside the station.
How do I know which Metro exit to take?: Check Citymapper before boarding—it shows which exit gets you closest to your destination. Look for blue exit signs with street names. Major stations have maps showing what's near each exit.
Is the Metro safe at night?: Generally safe until about 11pm in tourist areas. After that, stick to well-lit central lines (1, 4, 6, 9, 14). Avoid Line 13 late at night and empty stations after midnight.
Can I use the same ticket for buses?: No, Metro tickets don't work on buses or trams. You need separate tickets (€2.15 each) or a Navigo pass that covers all transport. RER trains in central Paris zones use Metro tickets.