How to use the Paris Metro (underground/subway)
One thing that can be a bit overwhelming your first time in Paris is the metro system. If you live in New York or London (or anywhere else with a decent underground) then you’re likely to gain your bearings really quickly, but if you’re like the rest of us who have never been on a train, let alone one that goes under a city, then hopefully this video will be of some use. I’ve posted some extra thoughts and graphics below, in case the video goes too fast, but consider this more of a familiarization than anything in any case. You’ll get the hang of it when you get here in person.
There are two different train systems running through Paris, which I didn’t really have time (or need) to mention. One is the Metro, signified by the “M” in a circle, and the other is the RER.
The RER is a regional express train that goes out into the suburbs, and is unreliable if you’re on a timetable. It is, however, a fast way to get all the way from one end of town to the other, and it is the only way out to places like Versailles (RER C).
Just a refresher, in case this part was a bit quick: when you get on the metro you aren’t looking for directions like north or south, you’re looking for their terminal stations. So when you look at a line, you see where it is in relation to your current stop, and then the end of the line beyond your desired stop is the direction you want to go. So in this instance if you wanted to head to the Louvre from Charles de Gaulle, Etoile, you’d have to go east (or right) towards Chateau de Vincennes. This means your direction is going to be “Chateau de Vincennes.”
Also important is tickets. There are automated ticket machines at almost every station, and in some stations you can buy them from the counter. If the sign above the counter is yellow/orange and says “Information,” then it’s just an information booth. But if it’s blue and says “Vente,” then you can buy them there so long as they aren’t asleep.
I hope this helps. If I missed anything please let me know in the comments and I’ll be sure to add it, or at the very least answer your questions. Happy traveling!
Be sure to join me tomorrow as I do the “big six” attractions in Paris in under three hours. Why? So if you’re short on time, you can too.
