Five Tips to Master the Paris Metro

The City of Lights, with its gorgeous 19th-century architecture and towering monuments, also boasts a rich subterranean world — and not just the famous city catacombs. The Paris Metro is one of the most user-friendly subways in the world. It offers affordable and consistent transportation across the city but, consider yourself warned, there is a Parisian etiquette for riding the Metro without sticking out like a sore thumb.

• Know there are two main train systems in Paris. The Metro (demarcated with large M signs) that serves most of central Paris, and the RER train, which serves the outlying areas. The RER is more expensive and probably not your first choice when touring Paris. Stick to the Metro and watch which entrances you use.
• Buy the right tickets for the zone you want to visit. If you will be there for more than a day, buy a book of 10 single-use tickets that will take you anywhere in the city on the Metro. Also be aware that many ticket machines only take coins and some will only take cards. Come prepared with many types of tender.
•  Hold onto your ticket during your Metro ride whatever you do. You will need it in order to leave the Metro station at your destination.
• Know when to stand up. If the train is packed during rush hour, avoid sitting in the seats that fold down next to the doors. Also watch for seniors and those with children who will expect you to give up your seat for them.
• Make a smart route plan before getting on the Metro. You should only have to transfer a couple of times if you plan ahead. The biggest tourist sites in Paris run along Line 1, like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.