Paris Metro Guide (2026): How to Use It, Tickets, and Key Lines

The Paris metro has 16 lines and 302 stations. For first-timers, most of what you need is on lines 1, 4, 12, and 14. The system is easy once you understand the ticket setup, which changed in 2021 — the old paper Carnet no longer exists.

By Mara Vale for Eurly

How this guide was built: Ticket prices and line details verified against RATP official documentation and in-person testing at Paris metro stations in April 2026.

Last verified: 2026-04-18

Line 1 (Yellow) — The Essential Tourist Line

Line 1 runs east–west through central Paris and is the most useful single line for first-time visitors.

Key stops: La Défense · Champs-Élysées–Étoile (Arc de Triomphe) · Franklin D. Roosevelt · Concorde · Tuileries · Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre · Châtelet · Saint-Paul (Le Marais) · Bastille · Gare de Lyon

Use for: The Louvre, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Le Marais, and Bastille. The line is fully automated (no driver), runs every 2 minutes at peak hours, and is air-conditioned throughout.

Line 4 (Purple) — North–South Backbone

Line 4 is the main north–south artery through the heart of Paris.

Key stops: Porte de Clignancourt · Barbès-Rochechouart (Montmartre area) · Gare du Nord (RER B connection) · Réaumur-Sébastopol · Les Halles (Châtelet–Les Halles) · Saint-Michel (Notre-Dame) · Odéon (Saint-Germain) · Saint-Sulpice · Montrouge

Use for: Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame (alight at Saint-Michel), Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Gare du Nord connections.

Line 12 (Dark Green) — Best for Montmartre

Line 12 is the correct line for Montmartre. The stop to use is Abbesses, not Anvers.

Key stops: Abbesses · Pigalle · Notre-Dame-de-Lorette · Madeleine · Assemblée Nationale

Abbesses vs Anvers: Abbesses exits at street level with a shorter, more direct walk to Sacré-Cœur. Anvers has more stairs and deposits you further from the main approach. Always use Abbesses for Montmartre.

Line 14 (Purple/Grey) — Fastest Line in Paris

Line 14 is fully automated and the fastest line in the network.

Key stops: Olympiades · Bibliothèque François Mitterrand · Gare de Lyon · Bercy · Châtelet · Saint-Lazare · Saint-Denis Pleyel (future CDG connection)

Use for: Quick cross-city journeys, Saint-Lazare, and Gare de Lyon.

Line 6 (Light Green) — Elevated Views and the Eiffel Tower

Line 6 runs mostly elevated above street level, offering views unavailable on any other line.

Key stops: Nation · Daumesnil · Bercy · Quai de la Gare · Passy · Bir-Hakeim (Eiffel Tower) · Trocadéro · Étoile

Use for: The Eiffel Tower approach. Alight at Bir-Hakeim — the walk under the elevated Bir-Hakeim bridge toward the tower is one of the most photographed urban approaches in Paris.

RER Lines for Tourists

The RER (Réseau Express Régional) is the regional rail network that runs through central Paris and extends beyond the city. For tourists, three lines matter:

RER A — East–west through the centre. Connects Châtelet–Les Halles with Gare du Nord area. Essential for Disneyland Paris (terminus: Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy). Extremely busy during rush hours.

RER B — North–south, critical for airports. Key stops: CDG airport · Le Bourget · Gare du Nord · Châtelet · Saint-Michel · Denfert-Rochereau. Journey time from central Paris to CDG: approximately 35 minutes. Ticket: €11.80 (zone 4, purchased separately).

RER C — Runs along the Left Bank to Versailles Rive Gauche. Ticket: €4.60 one way. Journey time: approximately 35 minutes from Champ-de-Mars–Tour Eiffel station.

Common Mistakes

1. Buying a zone 1–2 ticket and trying to use it for CDG airport. The turnstile at the RER B airport platform will stop you. Airport travel requires a separate zone 4 ticket at €11.80.

2. Taking Anvers instead of Abbesses for Montmartre. Anvers has more stairs and exits further from the Sacré-Cœur approach. Always use Abbesses.

3. Not validating the ticket before entering. Tap the card to the yellow validator before the turnstile. The gate closes on unvalidated entries and a beep signals the error.

4. Getting lost at Châtelet–Les Halles. This is the largest underground station in the world. Follow the colour-coded line signs, not just general direction arrows. Allow 10 minutes for interchanges here.

5. Using old magnetic-strip paper tickets. The magnetic strip system has been phased out at most Paris metro stations. The network now requires Navigo cards at all major entry points.

Hours and Frequency

The metro runs approximately 5:30am to 1:15am Monday–Thursday and Sunday, and 5:30am to 2:15am Friday and Saturday.

Peak frequency on busy lines: every 2–4 minutes. Off-peak: every 5–8 minutes.

Night buses (Noctilien): 34 overnight routes operate after the metro closes. Look for the N prefix on bus stop signs. Standard t+ ticket (€2.15) is valid.

Accessibility

The Paris metro is not well adapted for mobility impairments. Line 14 is the only line with full lift access throughout. A small number of stations on other lines have been retrofitted with lifts — check the RATP accessibility map at accessible.ratp.fr before planning any journey.

RER A, B, and C stations in central Paris have better lift coverage than most metro stations. Bus lines marked with the accessibility symbol are the most reliable option for wheelchair users across the city.

FAQ

How do I get a metro ticket in Paris?

Go to any metro or RER station ticket machine. Buy a Navigo Easy card for €2, then load single t+ tickets at €2.15 each or a day pass onto it. The card taps on the yellow validators at turnstiles. Do not use a human counter for standard tickets — the machines are faster and support English.

What metro line goes to the Eiffel Tower?

Line 6, stop Bir-Hakeim. This gives you the best approach — walking under the elevated Bir-Hakeim bridge with the tower ahead. You can also use RER C (Champ-de-Mars–Tour Eiffel) or Line 9 (Trocadéro) for a different angle.

Is the Paris metro card the same as the Navigo?

No. “Navigo” refers to a family of cards. Navigo Easy is the standard reloadable card for tourists (no photo needed, €2 to buy). Navigo Découverte is the personalised card needed for the weekly pass (requires a photo). Navigo Liberté+ is a pay-as-you-go card with monthly billing. For most trips, Navigo Easy is all you need.

Can I use the Paris metro to get to CDG airport?

Not on a standard metro ticket. CDG airport is served by RER B, which requires a separate zone 4 ticket costing €11.80. Load this as a separate transaction on your Navigo Easy card or buy it at a dedicated airport ticket window. A zone 1–2 metro ticket will not open the RER B airport platform gates.

What is the best Paris metro pass for a 3-day trip?

For a 3-day trip, buy individual t+ tickets loaded on a Navigo Easy card unless you plan 8+ metro journeys per day — in which case add a day pass (€16.90) on high-activity days. The weekly Navigo (€30) is only worth it if your trip spans a full Monday-to-Sunday week. Paris Visite passes cost more than individual tickets for typical tourist usage patterns.

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