The Paris Metro is one of the best ways to get around the city—but only if you know how to use it properly. 😬
Many first-time visitors make costly mistakes that lead to wasted time, fines, or unnecessary frustration.
Before you step onto your first Metro train, avoid these common mistakes and make your Paris trip smooth, efficient, and stress-free!
🚫 1. Buying Single Tickets Instead of a Pass
🛑 Why It’s a Mistake:
Many tourists buy a single-use ticket (t+ ticket) for every trip, not realizing that it’s far more expensive in the long run.
💸 The Costly Mistake:
- A single t+ ticket costs €2.15 per ride.
- If you plan to take the Metro multiple times a day, this adds up FAST!
- Plus, paper tickets can get lost or demagnetized, forcing you to buy more.
✅ What to Do Instead: Get a Navigo Easy Pass or Paris Visite Pass
- Navigo Easy Pass: A rechargeable card that lets you buy discounted t+ tickets in bulk. Perfect for short trips!
- Paris Visite Pass: Offers unlimited travel for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days, plus discounts on attractions.
- Navigo Découverte (Weekly Pass): Best for stays of 4+ days—unlimited travel in ALL zones for just €30.20/week!
👉 Where to Get It: Buy passes at Metro station ticket machines, from RATP service counters at the station, or directly on your phone via the BonjourRATP app.
🚫 2. Not Validating Your Ticket (and Getting Fined!)
🛑 Why It’s a Mistake:
Some visitors forget to validate their ticket (especially when using paper t+ tickets) and get caught in random inspections.
💸 The Costly Mistake:
- Metro ticket inspectors (known as “les contrôleurs”) randomly check tickets.
- If you’re caught without a validated ticket, the fine is €35-€50 ON THE SPOT!
- Even if you have a ticket in your pocket, you’ll still get fined if it wasn’t validated at the turnstile.
✅ What to Do Instead:
- Always insert your ticket into the turnstile before boarding.
- If you have a Navigo pass, make sure to scan it at the gate—even if it’s already loaded.
- Never jump over or slip through gates—Metro inspectors don’t tolerate fare evasion!
👉 Bonus Tip: Metro inspectors often target tourists around major attractions like the Eiffel Tower (Bir-Hakeim), Louvre (Palais Royal), and Champs-Élysées (George V). Be extra careful in these areas!
🚫 3. Taking the Metro When Walking is Faster
🛑 Why It’s a Mistake:
Some tourists overuse the Metro, hopping on for one or two stops when walking would be faster and more scenic!
💸 The Costly Mistake:
- Metro stations are not always close together. Walking between them can take less than 10 minutes!
- You’ll miss out on Paris’ beautiful streets and hidden gems.
- Some Metro stations require long transfers (like Châtelet or Montparnasse), wasting even more time.
✅ What to Do Instead: Check the walking distance first!
- Use Google Maps or Citymapper to compare walking vs. Metro times.
- For short distances (1-2 stops), just walk! You’ll see more of Paris and avoid unnecessary crowds.
- Best Areas to Walk Instead of Taking the Metro:
- Louvre to Notre-Dame (10 min walk)
- Eiffel Tower to Champs-Élysées (20 min walk, great views!)
- Le Marais to Bastille (12 min walk through historic streets)
Related Read: How to Use the Paris Metro Like A Pro
🚫 4. Using the Wrong Exit at Large Stations
🛑 Why It’s a Mistake:
Some Metro stations (like Châtelet, Montparnasse, and Gare du Nord) are HUGE with multiple exits. If you take the wrong one, you could end up 5-10 minutes away from your destination!
💸 The Costly Mistake:
- You’ll waste time walking in circles trying to find the right street.
- At night, you could end up in a sketchy area by mistake.
✅ What to Do Instead: Follow the exit numbers (Sortie) carefully!
- Before exiting the train, check the station map on the platform to find the closest exit to your destination.
- Follow Sortie (Exit) numbers—they’re usually marked with the street names.
- If you’re unsure, check Google Maps before exiting.
👉 Bonus Tip: At large Metro hubs like Châtelet and Montparnasse, look for color-coded signs to guide you to the right exit faster.
🚫 5. Taking the Metro at Rush Hour (and Getting Stuck!)
🛑 Why It’s a Mistake:
Avoid the Metro between 8:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM. Locals use it to commute, and some lines are unbearably packed.
💸 The Costly Mistake:
- You’ll be crammed inside trains like sardines (especially on Line 1, 4, and 13).
- Some stations get so crowded that you might have to wait for multiple trains before fitting inside.
- Pickpockets love rush hour because it’s easy to steal from distracted tourists.
✅ What to Do Instead:
- Travel before 8 AM or after 9:30 AM in the morning to avoid the rush.
- If you must take the Metro during peak hours, use alternative routes (or buses!).
- Hold your bag in front of you—pickpockets target crowded trains!
👉 Bonus Tip: Avoid Line 13 at all costs during rush hour. It’s the most crowded Metro line in Paris!
Related Read: Does the Paris Metro run 24/7?
🚀 Final Tips for a Smooth Paris Metro Experience
✅ Buy a travel pass instead of single tickets.
✅ Always validate your ticket to avoid fines.
✅ Check if walking is faster than the Metro.
✅ Use the correct exit at big stations.
✅ Avoid rush hour if possible.
This 10-page Paris travel guide includes:
- Practical tips for visiting Paris
- The best foods to eat in Paris
- The best restaurants in Paris (my top picks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- The top things to do and see in Paris (including day trips, scenic tours, museums, attractions, and more)
- The best (and worst) places to stay in Paris, including my top picks for hotels in each area
All links in this PDF are clickable so you can book your tours and hotels directly!