Navigating Paris for beginners

So you’re planning a trip to Paris? I’m so excited for you to get to experience this amazing city!

Let’s start with the basics - how to get around and use the Metro. Make sure you also check out my Insiders Guide to Paris for where to stay, eat and must do’s in Paris!

Paris is actually pretty easy to navigate and get around, once you get used to the layout. I would familiarise yourself with the arrondissements (like suburbs) as you will often see the arrondissements marked out on maps. Each has it’s own unique character. The 1st arrondissement is considered ‘the heart’ with the rest spiralling out in a clockwise direction to the border of Paris, and you will often hear of ‘left bank’ (the side of the city on the left of the Seine) and ‘right bank’ (the side of the city on the right of the Seine).
I find the easiest way to get around is on foot, combined with the metro. On my first trip to Paris I spent a LOT of time walking which really helps you to get your bearings. For places a little further afield or getting from one side of Paris to the other, for sure use the metro. I get that it is a little intimidating, but I’m here to help as someone who has visited the city 10+ times and used every day.
I will put a metro map below, and also recommend cross referencing this with a map of Paris, so you can see how they correlate to one another.

This blog will focus on the Metro but there is also a decent Bus network if you prefer to be above ground, or the Batobus which go up and down the Seine. You are limited with where you can go with this obviously, but it is a super pretty way to travel!

The Metro In Paris:

Paris' train network consists of two separate but linked systems: the metro and the RER. The metro is the inner city system, and the RER is Paris’ Regional Express Network, you would use this service to go further out of the centre, like to Disneyland or Versailles. The Paris Metro is really simple to use once you get your head around the way it works. Below I’ll show you how to work the metro, price of tickets, some maps and have included some safety tips as well.

Here are the main points for using the Metro:

The lines are all colour coordinated (super handy) and numbered. Each line has a final destination station at either end to help you with what direction you’re going. This is the most important thing to know when you head down into the station - know what colour / number line you want, and the what the final destination is in the direction you are heading.

As you head down into the station and get your ticket (more below), just follow the signs that shows the COLOUR line you want (the sign will show a circle with the colour and number inside), and the destination station.
In some stations you might only have to make 1 or 2 turns until you are at the platform, but at some of the bigger stations you could be walking for 5-10 mins. Just keep an eye on the signs with the colour you’re wanting.
When you arrive where you are going, keep an eye out for with Sortie / Exit you want as there may be several. For the smaller stations there will just be one exit usually.
TRANSFERS. Your ticket enables you to transfer (if you need to change lines), assuming you are within 90mins of when you entered the first station. Again, just look for those signs with the colour and number line you want and know which direction you’re headed and they will lead you to the correct platform.

BUYING TICKETS:
Each station will have ticket vending machines which are easy to use and all have English available as an option. Use the scroller to select where you’re going, and how many tickets you want. I’m pretty sure all are also manned, so if you want to speak to someone you can.
TICKET PRICES:
If you’re in Paris for more than a few days, I would recommend buying a ‘carnet’ of tickets which is basically a booklet of 10 at discounted prices. A single ticket as of Jan 2024 is 2,50 € and a carnet is 17,35 €. After you buy your ticket you will see the turnstiles you need to walk through - insert your ticket into the machine, it will pop out the other side once you walk through.
SAFETY:
I’ve never had an issue on the metro, but I am hyper vigilant. Always keep your purse / wallet / bag close to your body with one hand holding on to it at all times. No phones or anything in your back pockets or bags swung around at your back. Bags in front at all times! Don’t engage with people asking for money or trying to sell you something or people trying to distract you.
I would also recommend that you know what line and direction you’re traveling in before you head down the stairs in to the station. Its a good safety precaution to look like you know where you’re going, and recommend having an app on your phone to refer to rather than paper map fore this reason.
Download a Metro Ap
I highly recommend downloading a paris metro ap that will help you with navigation, it makes it super easy. They all have a map you can refer to, or, a route guide where you just put in the station you are at and where you want to go and it will figure out the best route for you, and where to transfer etc. The one I have is just called Paris Metro Map & Routes
Consider Walking:
Keep in mind that sometimes it’s actualy quicker (and more pleasant) to just walk. Because some of the big stations are huge, it can actually be quicker to just walk above ground and enjoy the sights as you go. Some of the stations are also really close together so I wouldn’t waste your money on a metro ticket. So I would save the metro for the bigger rides.

If you have any questions about how to use the Metro, let me know in the comments below!