By Taylor Oddino
With a city as rich and historic as Paris, there is a whole lot to see. From Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur in the north, to the Pantheon in the south, a trip to Paris is bound to be full of sightseeing. A great resource for successfully traversing the city is the Paris Metro system, also known as the Metro de Paris, which is far cheaper than taxis and far easier on your feet than walking. Here are some tips on using the Metro like a pro.
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Metro vs. RER
The public transportation organization by the name of RATP Group operates various forms of public transportation in Paris, including the Metro, tram and bus services. RATP Group also operates the RER. The RER is like the Metro system, but it is faster and stops less frequently. The RER is useful for trips across town. You will know the difference when looking at a map because the metro lines are numbered and the RER lines are labeled with letters, A through E. Metro stops will have an “M” sign above them whereas RER stops will not. Navigating both systems is similar in process and using them in conjunction with each other offers a wider variety of destinations you can get to.
Download the Apps
RATP Group offers two apps that are incredibly useful. The first app, Visit Paris by Metro, is more practical: It includes a Metro map, offers possible routes to desired destinations (the app can geolocate you!) and alerts you about issues going on within the Metro. The RATP Group website also offers information such as Metro stop closures. The app is translated into a variety of languages, including English. The second app is more fun and is called J’aime Ma Ligne, which means “I love my line.” It is a trendy, social media-esque app where people can find interesting places to stop along each line. Whether it is a yummy eatery or a new boutique, the J’aime Ma Ligne app offers fun activities. This app will require some French skills. Both apps can be found on the RATP Group website. If you don’t want to download the apps, Google Maps is another great resource that can pinpoint your location and show various Metro routes.
Buying Your Tickets
The Metro system has ticket windows and kiosks where you can purchase your tickets. Various stores and stands around Paris also sell tickets. You can purchase them online as well. Tickets can be single-use, or you can buy passes that will last you a few days. Carnets, packets of ten tickets, are also a possibility and can be a great option for travelers.
Hold Your Ticket
Don’t throw away your ticket. Hold onto it the whole time so you can exit and show evidence of your ticket.
Act Smart
The Metro has cars running into the early hours of the morning. Be smart and be safe. Don’t ride the Metro alone late at night. Always be aware of your surroundings!
Never Get Lost
In cities with expansive subway systems–like Paris–one special perk is that once you learn to ride the subway, you no longer have to worry about getting lost. Not sure where you are? Keep walking and you’re likely to run into a Metro stop sooner or later, often sooner. All Metro stations have maps. Simply locate your home station, or the place you want to go, get on a train and make it happen.
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Photo credits:
Paris Metro Station: Fabrizio Sciami via Flickr
Metro Girl: Adrian Scottow via Flickr
Paris Metro Stop: Roman Lashkin via Flickr
Woman in Metro Underground: Rul Ornelas via Flickr
Metro Ticket Machines: jean-louis Zimmermann via Flickr
Paris Metro Entrance: zoetnet via Flickr