Bus, Metro, RER, Noctilien & Vélib' in Paris

• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Railways & Train Travel in Ile de France & France
• See also AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Paris Airport Transfers & Connections

RATP is the public transport authority for Paris. It operates the Metro (subway) lines (14 lines identified by colour), the RER (Réseau Express Régional) suburban express railway (lines A, B, C, D and E), the Noctilien (night buses), Orlyval airport rail connections and Montmartre funicular. 

The RER connects Paris and the Ile de France regions with the Metro system and the SNCF (Société National des Chemins de Fer) main-line railway.

• Maison de la RATP (enquiries)
  At: 54 quai de la Râpée
  Tel: 32 46 Monday to Friday 07:00-21:00. Weekends 09:00-17:00. Recorded message (in French) outside these times. 
  Website

Tickets

Tickets and passes are sold in all Metro and RER stations, and can be bought at a ticket counter or from a vending machine. Newsagents (presse), bookshops and tobacconists (tabacs) displaying the RATP logo also sell tickets. 

Tickets are sold singly, in books of 10, as a weekly card, a seniors or juniors card or any variety of other ways including Paris Visite visitors pass which allows for travel on all transport for a fixed period. Full details of all ticket options are available on the RATP website. 

Each ticket is valid for a single trip on the bus, Metro, RER or tramway within zones 1 and 2. The ticket allows for as many transfers as necessary once first entering the metro turnstile; the used ticket is void on exit. 

Children under 4 ride free when accompanied by an adult. Half-price fare applies to children ages 4 to 11 years. To determine which pass is needed, refer to a zone map.

Paris transport passes: the t+ ticket

The Paris t+ ticket allows for travel on:

• the entire metro system and the Montmartre funicular
• the RER (RATP and SNCF-run lines) in Paris
• the Parisian and suburban RATP buses (except lines with special rates such as the Orlybus and Roissybus)
• most bus lines belonging to the Optile network (a group of private bus companies serving the larger suburban area)
• the Noctilien night bus service (transfers not included)
• to transfer from one bus to another or from buses to trams
• to transfer from one line to another on the metro and RER system within Paris

The ticket is stamped for each bus or tram journey. The ticket allows for one or several transfers to be made during an hour and half between the first and last validation of a ticket

• For full details, in English, on the t+ ticket: Click here 

Public Transport Tips

• If you travel to the suburbs, check the zone of your destination and make sure that you pay the appropriate fare before you board. Failure to do so may leave you stuck at the turnstile on exit.
• All tickets must be validated. This is done automatically upon entering the metro turnstile. Buses are equipped with ticket punching machines at the front of the vehicle.

Take the:

• Metro for trips to Paris and nearby suburbs
• RER for Paris and suburbs
• SNCF for suburban Paris and intercity connections

Save proof of payment, the RATP fare inspectors make frequent visits on bus, metro and RER lines. Fines must be paid if a passenger fails to produce proof of payment. Other infractions include: smoking where prohibited; unauthorised filming or taking of photographs; and vandalism.

Timetables: Bus, RER, Métro, Tramway, Noctilien, Airport

In January 2007 the public transportation system hours were extended by one hour at night. 

Detailed timetables available (see "horaires") online in French for: 

• RER
• Bus
• Métro
• Tramway
• Noctilien (night line)
• Airport connections

Traffic

CitéFutée: is an interactive map showing train traffic flow, congestion and delays on the Paris rail lines.

Metro

• Interactive and metro maps are available on the RATP website 

(Metro stations Liège (line 13) and Rennes (line 4) close at 20:00.)

Metro "How to"

• At the turnstile/barrier, insert your ticket in the first slot and recover it from the second.
• Follow the signs to the appropriate line and platform. Blue boards indicate the line number, direction, next stations and interchanges.
• To board a train, simply lift the handle or press the green button on the door (newer models have automated doors).
• Track your itinerary using the station maps displayed inside each wagon. If you transfer to another line, look for the sign marked CORRESPONDANCE.
• At your destination, follow the sign marked SORTIE. Larger stations have multiple exits each usually distinguished by a street name. An area map is posted near each exit.

Note:

• Line 7: fork at Maison Blanche: Service for each direction alternates, but lights on the front of the train indicate the destination
• Line 7bis: one-way service: Limited service for stations after Botzaris
• Line 10: one-way service: Limited service for certain stations between Eglise d'Ateuil and Mirabeau
• Line 13: fork at La Fourche: Service for each direction alternates, but lights on the front of the train indicate the destination
• Métro Timetable

RER

In Paris proper, riding the RER can be faster than the riding the Metro because of the limited number of stations. 

Signs on the platform indicated the direction and monitors on the platform indicate the next departures. Trains to the suburbs, don't necessarily stop at all stations on the line. Lighted boards on the platform indicate the next train's route; routes for all other trains are posted on RER schedules near the ticket windows. There is no specific first-class seating.

• RER Timetable

Bus

Buses run from approximately 07:00-20:00. Exact hours vary according to each bus line with some operating until 00:30. Many do not run Sundays or holidays. 

Bus route maps are posted at the bus stops. A single ticket is required to ride most bus lines. An additional ticket is required for each transfer. Special fares apply to Orlybus, Roissybus, Noctilien and Balabus. 

The city's periphery is served by 3 bus lines that make up the Petite Ceinture (Little Belt), or PC. A single ticket is required to ride any one of these. On Sunday and holidays, Balabus departs from the Gare de Lyon for a 2-hour tour of the city terminating at the Grande Arche de la Défense. 

• Bus Timetable

Noctilien

The Noctilien night bus network of buses runs on 35 lines throughout Ile-de-France. 

For bus times: 

• Call 08 92 68 77 14* state your departure location and destination and the voice server will provide bus details. 
• SMS: 61064**. 
• WAP
• Search bus times (note that after the search, the timetable opens in a new window - click to activate)
• Noctilien website

Tramway

A suburban light rail service runs between La Défense and Issy-les-Moulineaux, as well as between Gare de Saint-Denis and Noisy-le-Sec. Only one ticket is required.

• Tramway Timetable

Batôbus

Batôbus is a "bus boat" which serves eight stops along the River Seine and operates nearly year-round, with a break in January. Boats leave every 15 to 20 minutes. Stops include the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysées, Musée d'Orsay, Musée du Louvre, St-Germain-des-Prés, Notre-Dame, Hôtel de Ville and Jardin des Plantes.

• Batôbus
  At: Port de la Bourdonnais (Arr 7). Metro: Bir-Hakeim
  Tel: 01 44 11 33 99
  Website

Bicycles

Vélib' (free bike) is a bike rental system operating in Paris. Bicycles are available for rental 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from "bike dispensing" depots throughout the city. Bikes have protective mudguards, handlebar baskets and lights for night riding. Helmets are not provided.

Use the touch screen at a bike station (station Vélib') to pay for and release a bike. Return the bike to any depot across. Subscription cards are available for one day, seven days or a year; these provide a discount.

• For details of pricing: Click here (in French)
• To find a bike station: Click here
• Vélib' website