Is the Metro dangerous?

The Metro is safe, but pickpocketing is common in busy stations like Gare du Nord or Châtelet. Keep your phone in your pocket and your bag zipped and in front of you.

Does the Metro run all night?

No. Trains generally stop running between 1:15 AM and 5:30 AM. On Friday and Saturday nights, they run an hour later.

Do I need to keep my ticket after entering?

Yes. Keep it until you exit the station. Occasionally, transit police conduct spot checks, and you will be fined if you cannot present a valid, stamped ticket.

Navigating the Paris Metro like a local

Use the Citymapper or Île-de-France Mobilités app to map your route, and buy a Navigo Easy pass at any station kiosk to tap-in effortlessly. The system runs on line numbers and end-station names, so check the signs on the platform before boarding to ensure you are going the right direction.

Get a pass. Don't buy individual paper tickets. Purchase a 'Navigo Easy' card for €2 at a machine and load it with a 'carnet' of 10 rides (roughly €17.35). It saves money and prevents the magnetic strips on paper tickets from failing.
Find your line and direction. Look for the large map. Identify your line number (1-14). Look at the 'Terminus'—the final stop of the line in the direction you want to travel. Follow signs on the platform matching that final station name.
Navigate the transfer. Follow the pink 'Correspondance' signs to change lines. Be prepared to walk; some transfers between lines like Châtelet or Montparnasse-Bienvenüe take up to 10 minutes underground.
Exit properly. Look for the 'Sortie' (Exit) signs. If a station has multiple exits, check the map at the platform exit to see which street or monument is closest to your specific destination.

Is the Metro dangerous?: The Metro is safe, but pickpocketing is common in busy stations like Gare du Nord or Châtelet. Keep your phone in your pocket and your bag zipped and in front of you.
Does the Metro run all night?: No. Trains generally stop running between 1:15 AM and 5:30 AM. On Friday and Saturday nights, they run an hour later.
Do I need to keep my ticket after entering?: Yes. Keep it until you exit the station. Occasionally, transit police conduct spot checks, and you will be fined if you cannot present a valid, stamped ticket.