What if I lose my Navigo pass?

Report it immediately at any metro station ticket office. You'll pay €8 for a replacement but your remaining credit transfers over. This is why locals register their passes with names.

Do metro lines run all night?

Regular metro stops around 1:15am Sunday-Thursday, 2:15am Friday-Saturday. Night buses (Noctilien) take over, but they're slower and less frequent. Some RER lines run later.

Can I use my metro ticket on buses?

Yes, t+ tickets work on metro, buses, and trams within zones 1-2. Transfer between metro/bus/tram is free within 90 minutes, but you can't transfer between two metro lines or two bus lines with the same ticket.

How do I know if there are delays?

Check digital screens on platforms, listen for announcements, or use Citymapper. Strike days (grève) are announced in advance - metro service can be severely limited or stopped completely.

What about luggage on the metro?

Large suitcases are allowed but awkward during rush hour. No elevators at many stations - expect stairs. RER B to airports has more luggage space than regular metro lines.

How to navigate the Paris Metro like a local

Buy a Navigo weekly pass, learn the line colors and end stations, and always stand right on escalators. Download the Citymapper app for real-time updates and keep your ticket until you exit the station.

Get the right ticket or pass. Buy a Navigo weekly pass (€30) if staying 4+ days, or individual t+ tickets (€2.15 each) for shorter trips. Avoid tourist day passes - they're overpriced. Get your Navigo at any metro station with a passport photo.
Learn the line system. Paris Metro has 14 numbered lines, each with a color. Find your destination station, identify which line it's on, then follow signs for the direction (terminus station name). Example: To reach Châtelet from République, take Line 11 direction Mairie des Lilas.
Download Citymapper. This app shows real-time delays, platform changes, and fastest routes including walking connections. Locals use it constantly. Works offline too.
Platform etiquette. Stand right on escalators, walk left. Let passengers exit before boarding. Move to the center of cars. Don't block doors even if you're getting off soon - step out and back in if needed.
Keep your ticket. Hold onto your ticket until you completely exit the station. Random inspections happen, and you'll be fined €60 without a valid ticket. Some exits require scanning your ticket again.
Learn the shortcuts. Use correspondance (connection) tunnels to change lines without exiting. Follow blue signs with line numbers. At major stations like Châtelet-Les Halles, these tunnels can be long - factor in 5-10 minutes for complex transfers.

What if I lose my Navigo pass?: Report it immediately at any metro station ticket office. You'll pay €8 for a replacement but your remaining credit transfers over. This is why locals register their passes with names.
Do metro lines run all night?: Regular metro stops around 1:15am Sunday-Thursday, 2:15am Friday-Saturday. Night buses (Noctilien) take over, but they're slower and less frequent. Some RER lines run later.
Can I use my metro ticket on buses?: Yes, t+ tickets work on metro, buses, and trams within zones 1-2. Transfer between metro/bus/tram is free within 90 minutes, but you can't transfer between two metro lines or two bus lines with the same ticket.
How do I know if there are delays?: Check digital screens on platforms, listen for announcements, or use Citymapper. Strike days (grève) are announced in advance - metro service can be severely limited or stopped completely.
What about luggage on the metro?: Large suitcases are allowed but awkward during rush hour. No elevators at many stations - expect stairs. RER B to airports has more luggage space than regular metro lines.