Paris has one of the most extensive urban transit networks in the world, and knowing how to use it will save you both time and money. Whether you are arriving at one of the airports, heading to Versailles, or simply hopping between neighbourhoods, the city's integrated system of Metro, RER suburban trains, buses, and bike share covers virtually every corner of the capital and its surroundings.

This guide walks you through every mode of transport available to visitors, the 2026 fares you need to know, and practical tips for navigating Île-de-France with confidence. Whether you are planning a short city break or a longer stay in France, understanding Paris's transit options will make your trip far smoother.

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The Métro is the backbone of Paris's public transport system and the mode most visitors use most often. The network comprises 16 lines — numbered 1 to 14, plus the two branch lines 3bis and 7bis — with trains running through the city centre and into the inner suburbs. Lines 1 and 14 are fully automated, meaning they run without drivers and offer some of the most frequent service on the network.

Service hours run from approximately 05:30 to 01:15 on weekdays, with trains running until around 02:15 on Friday and Saturday nights. Frequencies vary by line and time of day, but during peak hours most central lines run every two to three minutes. The network is dense enough that on foot in central Paris you are rarely more than a ten-minute walk from a station.

Line 1 runs east to west along the Seine, connecting the Louvre, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Bastille. It is one of the busiest and most useful lines for sightseers. Line 4 runs north to south through the heart of the city, passing through Montmartre in the north and the Latin Quarter in the south. Line 6, elevated for much of its route, offers some of the most scenic urban riding in Europe, with clear views of the Eiffel Tower as it crosses the Seine.

Line 14 is the express backbone of the system — fast, automated, and running from the northern suburbs all the way to Orly Airport at its southern terminus. For visitors landing at Orly, Line 14 now offers a direct, transfer-free connection to central Paris in around 25 minutes for €14.

Metro maps are posted in every station and available for free at information points. The Île-de-France Mobilités app provides real-time journey planning across all modes including the Metro, RER, buses, and trams. Stations are announced by audio as well as displayed on screens inside newer trains. Keep your ticket or tap your card until you exit through the barriers — inspectors check tickets on the platform as well as at the gate.

The RER (Réseau Express Régional) is a five-line suburban rail network that runs through the city centre and extends far into the surrounding Île-de-France region. Lines are labelled A through E. While the Metro is designed for short hops within Paris, the RER is faster over longer distances and is the best option for reaching both airports, visiting Versailles, or heading to Disneyland Paris.

Within the city centre, RER lines share interchange stations with the Metro at major hubs including Châtelet-Les Halles and Gare du Nord. A standard Metro-train-RER ticket valid within the central zones is sufficient for most in-city RER journeys. For travel beyond the central area — including to either airport — a separate airport fare applies.

RER B is the direct rail link between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and central Paris. Trains depart from Terminals 2 and 3 and stop at Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, and Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, among other central stations. The journey from CDG to Gare du Nord takes approximately 35 minutes. The 2026 fare for the airport train ticket is €14 for adults, loaded onto a Navigo Easy card at the airport or central station machines.

Trains run from early morning until around midnight, with departures every 10 to 15 minutes. The service is reliable and significantly cheaper than a taxi for solo and duo travellers. A pre-booked airport transfer is worth considering if you are travelling as a group, arriving late at night, or carrying significant luggage.

RER A is the busiest line in the network and runs east to west, connecting the western suburbs (including Versailles-Rive Gauche) with the eastern suburbs where Disneyland Paris is located. Day-trippers to Versailles board at central stations such as Châtelet or Nation and ride to the Versailles-Rive Gauche terminus in about 40 minutes. For Disneyland, the journey from central Paris to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy takes approximately 40 minutes as well.

RER C also serves Versailles via the Versailles-Château-Rive Gauche station, which is the closest RER stop to the Palace of Versailles. The C line originates from stations on the Left Bank of Paris, including Gare d'Austerlitz and Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, making it convenient for visitors staying in the southern arrondissements. Journey time to Versailles from central Paris is around 35 to 40 minutes.

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Paris overhauled its ticketing system significantly in 2025 and 2026. Physical paper tickets have been phased out completely since November 2025. All tickets are now loaded onto contactless cards or validated via smartphone. Understanding your options before you arrive will save you time at the machines.

A single Metro-train-RER ride costs €2.55 in 2026. This flat fare covers travel within the central area across the Metro and in-zone RER journeys — there are no longer separate zone charges for central Paris travel. Bus and tram journeys are priced separately at €2.05 per trip. Neither ticket type allows transfers between bus and Metro on the same fare.

The Navigo Easy is the recommended card for most visitors. The card itself costs €2 and is reloadable with up to 20 single Metro-train-RER tickets or bus-tram tickets. You load credit at station ticket machines, then tap the card on yellow validators at barriers and on bus poles. It is accepted across the Metro, RER, buses, trams, and airport services, and there is no expiry on the tickets loaded onto it, so any unused value carries over to your next trip.

A one-day Navigo pass valid for unlimited travel across all modes costs €12.30. This is the best-value option if you plan to make five or more journeys in a day. It covers all zones, meaning a single day pass is valid for a day trip to both airports, Versailles, and Disneyland Paris without any extra fare.

Paris Visite is the dedicated multi-day tourist pass, available in 1, 2, 3, or 5-day versions covering all five zones. Prices in 2026 run from €30.60 for one day to €78.00 for five days. The pass includes unlimited travel on the Metro, RER, buses, and trams across all zones — including both airports — and offers discounts at certain museums and attractions. It is loaded onto a Navigo Easy card and available at airport stations and main central stations.

Paris operates an extensive bus network with over 300 routes covering areas the Metro does not reach directly, including many riverside and cross-neighbourhood routes that are genuinely useful for sightseeing. Buses run from approximately 05:30 to 00:30, with a night bus network (Noctilien) operating on key routes through the night. Bus stops display timetables and route maps, and the Île-de-France Mobilités app shows real-time arrivals.

Boarding is at the front of the bus, and you tap your Navigo Easy card on the validator as you board. A bus-tram ticket costs €2.05 and is separate from the Metro ticket — you cannot transfer from a bus to the Metro on the same fare. That said, bus journeys within a single trip do allow transfers within 90 minutes, so you can change bus lines without paying again. Riding the bus on surface routes like the 69 along the Seine or the 82 near the Eiffel Tower gives you a ground-level view of Paris that you simply do not get underground.

RER B is the fastest and most affordable rail option from CDG to central Paris. Platforms are located at Terminals 2E/2F and Terminal 3, with a free CDGVAL automated shuttle connecting the other terminals. The journey to Gare du Nord takes around 35 minutes and the 2026 airport train fare is €14, loaded onto a Navigo Easy card. Ticket machines at the airport accept contactless cards and have English menus.

Taxis from CDG operate at flat rates: €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank. Journey times vary with traffic but typically run 45 to 60 minutes outside peak hours. If you are travelling in a group or with heavy bags, a pre-booked private car or shared airport transfer often works out to be the most convenient choice.

Metro Line 14 now offers the most direct rail route from Orly to central Paris. The line connects directly to the Orly Airport station and runs to Châtelet in approximately 25 minutes for a fare of €14. Alternatively, the Orlyval automated shuttle connects Orly's terminals to Antony station on RER B, from which you continue into the city. The combined Orlyval and RER B ticket costs €14.50. Flat-rate taxis from Orly are €36 to the Left Bank and €45 to the Right Bank.

Vélib' Métropole is Paris's city-wide bike share scheme, with over 20,000 bicycles — both mechanical and electric — distributed across more than 1,480 docking stations throughout the metropolitan area. Docking points are spaced approximately 300 metres apart, so there is almost always a station within easy walking distance. The scheme is an excellent way to cover short distances between tourist sites, especially along the Seine and through the central arrondissements where cycling infrastructure has expanded significantly.

Visitors can purchase a 24-hour pass for €5 (classic bikes) or €10 (including electric bikes), or a 3-day pass for €20. The V-ticket single-ride option costs €3 and includes the first 45 minutes free. Passes are purchased via the Vélib' app or at docking stations using a contactless card. Helmets are not provided, so bring your own if you plan to ride for extended periods.

The Île-de-France Mobilités app is the official journey planner for the entire network and includes real-time disruption alerts, timetables, and an integrated ticketing function for smartphones that support NFC. Download it before you arrive so you are not caught without a data connection at the airport. The app covers Metro, RER, buses, trams, and regional trains on a single interface.

Always tap your card on the yellow validator at barriers before boarding the Metro or RER, and at the pole reader when boarding a bus or tram. Inspectors check for valid tickets throughout the network, and a failure to validate even a loaded card counts as travelling without a valid ticket. Fines start at €50 on the spot.

Ongoing expansion of the Grand Paris Express means periodic weekend closures on individual Metro and RER lines in 2026. Check the Île-de-France Mobilités website or app for planned maintenance before any major day trip, particularly if you are travelling to an airport or to Versailles on a weekend.

For stays of two to three days with moderate transit use, loading ten single tickets onto a Navigo Easy card (ten trips at €2.55 each) is often more flexible than a Paris Visite day pass. If you plan to make more than five journeys in a single day, the €12.30 Navigo day pass delivers better value. Matching your ticket choice to your actual itinerary is the simplest way to avoid overspending on transport.

The RER and regional trains cover most popular day trips from Paris, but some destinations in the Loire Valley, Champagne region, or Normandy coast are more accessible by road. Car rental options across France are available on Traveloka, letting you compare rates and pick up from central Paris or either airport.

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