Everything about the Paris metro and the new metro fares in 2025! How does the Paris metro work and where can I buy tickets online via the app? And should I choose individual metro tickets or is a Navigo day ticket cheaper? Paris is an excellent city to explore on foot, but also a big city. For the many famous sights, it is wiser to take the metro occasionally. Public transport is easily accessible throughout the city, as well as in the Parisian suburbs. The metro has extensive coverage and is easy to use once you know the different zones and lines. Are you coming with the Eurostar (Ex Thalys) from Brussels or Amsterdam? Then take the metro at Gare du Nord.
From 1 January 2025, public transport in Paris and the Île-de-France region will be greatly simplified with a fixed rate per single journey for metro, RER, bus and tram. Travel with one ticket (formerly t+ ticket) within zones 1 to 5, without extra costs when transferring between metro and RER. Travelling to Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports will cost you €13 for a single journey. The type of metro tickets and tickets you need to buy for the Paris metro depends on the length of your stay and how much you will be using public transport. Discover in this article all the information, prices of the Navigo Easy Pass, Paris Visite, metro day pass, Mobilis, official apps, metro map, facts and tips.
• Fun to do: Tickets Cruise on the Seine by Bateaux Mouches (1h) →
• Nice combo: Tickets Louvre Museum + Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor or Summit →
1. How to buy tickets online for the metro, RER, bus and tram in Paris from 1 January 2025 + apps
From 1 January 2025, a single ticket of €2.50 for the metro/RER and €2 for the bus/tram (or €2.50 if bought on the bus/tram) will replace the current fares for all journeys on the metro, RER and regional trains in Paris and the Île-de-France region, regardless of the number of zones crossed. This means that destinations such as Versailles and Disneyland Paris can now also be reached at this fixed rate!
Paper metro tickets (t+ ticket) are now disappearing completely and making way for buying tickets directly on your smartphone (Android and iPhone) or the rechargeable public transport pass (Navigo Easy Pass).
• What official apps are there to buy Paris metro tickets online?
A useful app with route planner is the Bonjour RATP app or Île-de-France Mobilités app for live timetables and updates. With these apps you can buy digital metro tickets online or charge the Navigo Easy pass digitally.
• The different options and rates for buying metro tickets and day passes online in Paris:
1) Fixed rate tickets: directly on your smartphone app or charge via the Navigo Easy Pass:
– Buy tickets online and charge on your smartphone via the official apps Bonjour RATP app or Île-de-France Mobilités app
– Navigo Easy Pass: this rechargeable, anonymous card costs €2 once (for sale in metro stations) and can be charged via the app or in metro stations with tickets for metro, RER, bus & tram
2) Navigo Jour / metro day pass: the new fixed rate for the Navigo Jour (this is an unlimited day pass) is €12. This does not include airports. This day pass can be interesting if you travel a lot within 1 day in Paris. Unlimited travel for a week? There is also a Navigo Semaine.
3) Navigo Liberté+: only €1.99 per metro and train ride, and €1.60 for the bus or tram. The card is personal (photo required) and also linked to your bank account for automatic payments. This option is therefore particularly useful if you travel to Paris very regularly.
4) Paris Visite: available for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days and with this you can also travel unlimitedly on public transport in Paris, including the airports. But not really interesting anymore, because it is now a lot more expensive than the Navigo day card.
• Good to know & useful tips:
– Children under 4 years old travel for free on public transport. For children from 4 to 9 years old there is a reduced rate (50%).
– In a few stations where the Navigo Easy Pass is not yet available, paper t+ tickets are still sold (completely phased out from the end of 2025)
– Au revoir ‘Le Carnet’: the end of the advantageous carnet of 10 tickets (which always cost 20% less than buying t+ tickets individually). Paper carnets were already discontinued a few years ago.
– If you transfer from the metro to the bus, or from the RER to the tram, you still need two tickets, as is already the case (a bit of a shame given the small price difference)
– Travelling to Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports will cost you €13 per single journey
– Do you still have old tickets on your phone or Navigo Easy Pass? You can still use them until 31 December 2025.
– The Mobilis day card is also no longer available, but you can opt for the Navigo day card or Paris visite for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days
2. Dowload a map of the metro and RER in Paris
Did you know that the Paris Metro is one of the oldest metro systems in the world? It first opened its doors to the general public in July 1900. Today, with over 300 stations, 16 metro lines (1-14 and 2 additional lines) and a distance of approximately 210 kilometers, the metro is the fastest way to travel around the City of Light. There are 16 metro lines, each with a color and number.
Some stations are connected to the RER. Don’t worry if you accidentally get on a train that is going the wrong way. You can get off at the next stop and get on the right train without having to buy a ticket.
Check out the map of the Paris Metro and the RER lines. Each line is numbered and colored so that it is easy to distinguish on a map. Knowing the names of the stations that interest you most is important to avoid making the wrong choices.
3. The different metro lines and zones of the Paris metro
There are currently 16 different metro lines (1-14 plus 2 additional lines) and over 300 metro stops in Paris. When you first look at a map of the Paris metro, you’ll notice that the city is divided into zones. Many popular tourist spots are in zone 1, while zones 2 and 3 include the suburbs bordering Paris. Zones 4 and 5 are home to Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, Disneyland and the Palace of Versailles.
The Paris metro is one of the oldest and most extensive metro networks in the world, and is the beating heart of public transport in the City of Light. With 16 lines, marked by different colours and numbers, the network provides connections to almost every neighbourhood and attraction. The first line opened in 1900, and since then it has become an essential part of Parisian life. The metro is characterised by its iconic Art Nouveau entrances, designed by Hector Guimard.
4. Difference between the metro and the RER
The RER (Réseau Express Régional) is a train that takes you to places just outside Paris (banlieu). The trains are bigger and longer than the city metro, they travel faster over greater distances and can therefore save you time.
There are five RER lines of which these are the 3 most important:
– Line A: to Disneyland Paris and one of the most popular ways to reach the park
– Line B: to Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports
– Line C: to the Palace of Versailles
5. Tips for taking the Paris metro/underground
• Always take the fastest route: get to know the Paris metro network and then plan your trip online. RATP (the Paris Transport Network Association) has a very useful route planner that allows you to choose the fastest metro lines, avoid certain stops or combine your trip with other modes of transport such as the RER.
• Peak hours in the Paris metro: With one of the busiest metro networks in Europe, it is best to travel on the metro outside of peak hours, namely between 8am and 10am and between 5pm and 8pm.
• Avoiding major station junctions: Châtelet, Nation, Gare de Lyon and also Montparnasse are stops and stations to avoid if you want to save time (and stress). These are very large stations and it can take well over 10 minutes to travel from one point to another. Little time? Then hop on the RER earlier to avoid extra stops.
• Beware of pickpockets: the Paris Metro is relatively safe, but still make sure you put all belongings and valuables in a secure bag and don’t let them out of sight. As in any metropolis, pickpockets can be active in busy metro stations and RER trains.
6. Use free Metro apps for the Parisian subway
Download the free Paris Metro app Citymapper. This app helps you plan your route and shows the nearest metro stations in the area. Another useful option is the Bonjour RATP app for live schedules and updates. You can also buy digital metro tickets via this app, provided you have already purchased a Navigo Easy pass. Furthermore, Google Maps is of course also great for finding your way in the Paris metro.
TIP: You can also still use the free metro tickets/leaflets that are available at most ticket counters in the metro stations.
7. These are the most beautiful metro stations in Paris
• Arts et Métiers is decorated in a style reminiscent of the novels of Jules Verne
• Cluny – La Sorbonne whose ceilings are decorated with beautiful mosaics
• Cité with beautiful lamps in retro style
• Louvre-Rivoli is decorated with copies of some of the most important works on display at the Louvre
• Abbesses has a beautiful fresco depicting a period in the history of France
8. Famous sights in Paris and associated metro stops
A first time to Paris? Then a visit to the top 10 places to visit in Paris should not be missed.
Find out below which metro stops you need to take to visit some famous attractions in Paris. Be sure to order your tickets online in advance to avoid the queues.
• The Eiffel Tower in Paris | Metro stop ‘Bir-Hakeim’ or ‘Ecole Militaire’ (book tickets Eiffel Tower)
• The Louvre | Metro stop ‘Palais-Royal’ or ‘Musée du Louvre’ (book tickets Louvre)
• Musée d’Orsay | Metro stop ‘Solférino’ (book tickes Musée d’Orsay)
• Arc de Triomphe | Metro stop ‘Charles de Gaulle-Etoile’ (book tickets Arc de Triomphe)
• Disneyland Paris | RER A ‘Marne la Vallée / Chessy’ (book tickets Disneyland Paris)
• Château de Versailles | RER C ‘Château Rive Gauche’ (book tickets Château de Versailles)
