Hôtel des Métallos gives you Tips for riding Paris’s metros and buses

Paris’s public-transportation systems are so good that many Parisians go through life and never learn how to drive. Their wheels are trains, subways, trams, and buses (plus the occasional taxi). By riding with the locals, even you can take advantage of Paris’s convenient network of buses and rails.

Learning how to use the public-transportation system while travelling is a great way to save time and money. Instead of sitting in a taxi in Paris’ morning traffic, you can take the Metro to the Eiffel Tower, leaving all behind you the chaotic traffic and be among the first in line to climb to the top.

But before you hop aboard, it might be useful to collect some information. When you check in at Hôtel des Métallos, please help yourself with a transit map. To help you plot your travel, just ask at reception desk, we will be happy to help you.

It’s also important to find out what your ticket options are. Besides of single tickets, you can buy a « carnet » including 10 tickets you can use anytime and share with your friends. It is almost half cheaper than buying tickets one by one.

You can also buy passes that allow unlimited trips on all kinds of public transport for one day, one week, one month or even more. When buying those passes, be careful to pay for what you need in terms of geographical zones, it is useless to buy a 1-5 area pass if you’re planning to stay inside of Paris, and not go to the suburbs. Just buy the 1-2 area pass (the cheapest) which allow you to travel in Paris. If you need to go to Versailles or Disneyland, just buy the tickets when needed, you will save money.

You would rather buy tickets from automated ticket machines at stations. Otherwise, prepare yourself to spend a lot of time in line. In some stations, international credit cards might not work in the machines, so make sure you have enough coins and bills.

Before getting on a subway, you will usually need to insert your ticket into a slot on the turnstile, then retrieve it (and keep it—you might need it to exit as well). On buses, you need to validate the ticket by inserting it into an automated time-stamp box; or you may just have to show it to the driver. Observe what the locals do and act the same way.

Buying tickets and boarding is winning already half of the battle. Figuring out where to get off can be just as challenging. Subway trains are equipped with maps detailing their route—track the different stops as you ride. An automated voice usually announces which stop is next, and you’ll also see the names of each station as you roll through. Usually these are posted prominently on the platform or along the wall. When the train stops, the doors generally open automatically, though you may have to open them yourself by pushing a button or pulling a lever.

Buses offer fewer cues for stops, so it’s even more important to stay alert. Have a sense of how long the trip is going to take. As you ride, follow along the route on your map, looking for landmarks along the way: monuments, bridges, major cross streets, and so on. Some buses pull over at every stop, while others only stop by request. If in doubt, look for a a button with the local word “Arrêt” which is the French word for « stop. » You can also ask the driver to warn you when you arrive.

When riding on any public transportation, watch out for thieves. There are more pickpockets in Europe’s subway trains and buses than just about anywhere else. They can steal your belongings from your pocket or bag anytime or anywhere : on escalators, at turnstiles, inside of the trains… Wearing a money belt is the best way to avoid having pickpockets.

Despite some drawbacks, using public transit is efficient and economical. And with the proper attitude, it can also be a great cultural experience, integrating you into Parisian life more than anything.

If you need tips on how to get the most of your stay in Paris, check out our blog for museums and for findind the best places.