Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Métro & Trains, Paris
Search:

Home » Travel Guides » Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris » Warnings or Dangers » Métro & Trains Reviews

Paris Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Métro & Trains, Paris

Métro & Trains tips posted by real travelers and Paris locals.
• 30 Photos
• 95 Reviews

See all Paris Warnings or Dangers
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Métro & Trains: Don't forget the ticket
  • Tip Rating:
  • mariev
  • Updated By mariev on March 25, 2006
  • Paris Page by mariev
  • one of the oldest metro entry style - Paris
    one of the oldest metro entry
    style
    by mariev
    Whenever you push your metro ticket (or any other point to point ticket) through the turnstile, don't forget to take it back and to keep it until you exit your arrival station.

    You will have to present it if a control occurs (and to be fined is not fine).

    Oh! and an another "risk" for your beloved transport pass : when taking the bus, you have to punch the metro ticket/ticket t/Optile ticket (all the point to point tickets), but don't punch your pass (Paris Visite, Mobilis, Carte Orange, ...) as it won't work anymore then (just present it to the bus driver).

    Leave a Comment

  • Website: www.ratp.fr
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Paris?

    Read reviews about Paris Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Métro & Trains: Express trains to the airports
  • Tip Rating:
  • goy
  • Updated By goy on June 13, 2004
  • Paris Page by goy
  • you should be very careful taking the RER-B trains, if you are planning to leave Zone 1-2. check the board that states on which stations will the next train stop. they are on every RER platform, stating all the upcoming stations, with a little yellow light in front of the name, if the train stops there.

    if you don't check, you can easily find yourself on an express train to the airport (CDG or Orly). as this is with a special fare, you are very likely to get a fine (I got one two weeks ago - 42 euros) for travelling without a valid ticket.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Métro & Trains: Problems when buying Carte Orange/Tourist Card
  • Tip Rating:
  • Diana75
  • Updated By Diana75 on February 16, 2006
  • Paris Page by Diana75
  • Everybody recommended us to buy Carte Orange as the best option for transportation in Paris, from all points of view, including the price.

    But when we arrived in Paris trying to buy it from a couple of Metro stations was really an adventure.

    Understanding that we are tourists some of the sellers were quite aggressive and rude when explaining that the only pass we are allowed to buy is the Tourist Pass, which obviously was almost 50% more expensive than Carte Orange.

    At the end we succeeded to buy it from a smaller, not so "ouristy" metro station, but not without a lot of useless efforts.

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Métro & Trains: Inspector Javert and the Metro Ticket Police
  • Tip Rating:
  • Roadquill
  • By Roadquill on January 24, 2005
  • Paris Page by Roadquill
  • Those pesky ticket inspectors pop up at the most unexpected times so be sure you keep your stamped metro ticket on hand for the entire ride. I took the funicular to the top of MontMartre at 7:45 in the morning and waiting at the top was Ticket Inspector Javert and three of his deputies. Then on the RER back to CDG, zee Ticket Inspector again (with three of his deputies) checked for tickets. The young man across the seat didn't even try to use the "but it was in my pocket" routine. Apparently his second violation and a 72 euro fine.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Métro & Trains: Metro Pick-Pockets
  • Tip Rating:
  • Jozzzef
  • By Jozzzef on March 4, 2004
  • Paris Page by Jozzzef
  • We arrived at Paris at the train station Paris North and we almost got our luggage stollen imedeatly! The gates through which you gain entry to the metrosystem are real traps! These are two flaps and you have to push yourself through. Always push your luggage through first or the flaps close in between you and your luggage behind you! Pick-pockets are literary waiting for that to happen. They are totally unashamed and will simply keep pulling it from your hand untill you let go while you are trapped behind the gates!

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Paris?

    Read reviews about Paris Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Métro & Trains: Crowded Metro
  • Tip Rating:
  • Pieter11
  • By Pieter11 on February 7, 2005
  • Paris Page by Pieter11
  • Métro & Trains - Paris
    by Pieter11
    The Metro of Paris can be a very crowded place. Especially line 1 can be very chaotic. To avoid that you´ll lose you travel company, you have to make one agreement before using the Metro:
    If the doors of the Metro close and not everybody is inside, you step out the forthcoming station and wait for the next ones. Then you can never lose eachother.
    Not necessary, you´ll find out yourself!

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Métro & Trains: Metro
  • Tip Rating:
  • nhcram
  • Updated By nhcram on January 16, 2004
  • Paris Page by nhcram
  • Be careful when on the metro especially in rush hours and at busy times as there are (as there are in many other places) many pickpockets. They are very clever and quite often (like my father) people don't even know they have had their pockets picked.
    I always keep my bag in front of me when travelling as a precaution.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Métro & Trains: What to do in an emergency!
  • Tip Rating:
  • shrimp56
  • Updated By shrimp56 on May 21, 2006
  • Paris Page by shrimp56
  • Only to use if someone falls on the tracks - Paris
    Only to use if someone falls
    on the tracks
    by shrimp56
    Recent visitors to Paris will note the appearance of these "in case of emergency break glass" things. They are to meet a very specific need. The rough translation is "In case of someone falling on the track" -- what happens if you pull the handle inside is that it stops the power to the third rail for that side of the platform. It continues "and in this case alone ... all abuse will be punished"
    .
    I asked a friend of mine resident in Paris what was up and he said that there are often train stoppages from people committing suicide on the tracks, so these were installed.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Métro & Trains: Sure they're entertaining...
  • Tip Rating:
  • TimDaoust
  • Updated By TimDaoust on June 5, 2006
  • Paris Page by TimDaoust
  • Accordian players - Paris
    Accordian players
    by TimDaoust
    I've heard that these guys that jump on the metros and play you accordian music are only after tips and will corner you if you look like you're enjoying their playing. I don't know if it's true. I've never had it happen to me. I presume all they would do is just be mad at you if you didn't tip them. Just thought I'd share because I have this great picture a friend of mine took. I also have a picture of some guys, an accordian and trumpet player, in Angers, France that used to come into the restaurants and play for tips. On the last trip, there seemed to be even more performers everywhere we went...some were even selling CDs in the Montparnasse metro station.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Métro & Trains: Watch for METRO ticket scams
  • Tip Rating:
  • fototravels
  • By fototravels on November 3, 2004
  • Paris Page by fototravels
  • There is a scam that is going on that we got caught with concerning the Metro and we knew about it before we even got to Paris!.
    Official looking people, with matching jackets and patches, will offer to help you purchase your tickets and give you travle help. Be wary since some of these will only be looking to sell you a cheaper ticket for the correct fair higher price fair. It is difficult to detect since the METRO tickets all look the same. EVEYTHING they do to help you is correct and helpful until you realise you have been swindled. One tip off might be that they are looking around and will seem to want to hurry you along. Don't be rushed and don't believe that the ticket machine is broken. They will work in teams to make it all look true. Lucky for us we did get caught in this scam but did not lose any money.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    More Paris Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 2,053 - Photos: 1,652
    Things To Do
    Tips: 10,145 - Photos: 17,346
    Nightlife
    Tips: 873 - Photos: 806
    Transportation
    Tips: 1,633 - Photos: 1,378
    Restaurants
    Tips: 2,625 - Photos: 2,535
    Shopping
    Tips: 827 - Photos: 938
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 1,801 - Photos: 2,714
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 502 - Photos: 330
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 812 - Photos: 408
    Local Customs
    Tips: 833 - Photos: 736
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 274 - Photos: 157
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 110 - Photos: 130
    General Tips
    Tips: 2,457 - Photos: 2,445
    Flights
    Tips: 110 - Photos: 0

    Best Paris Travel Deals

    Newark NJ Hotel
    Brand New Facility & Shuttle Bus 11 Minutes from the Newark Airport!

    Hotel Lodging
    Up to 50% off Hotels at Expedia. No Expedia change or cancel fees!

    Hotel in Paris from $29
    1200+ Hotels up to 80% Discount! Book now and pay at the Hotel.

    Paris Studio Apartments
    Cheap Self Catering Accommodation District 10. From only €85/night.

    500 Hotels in Paris
    Find your hotel on a city-map All hotels with guest-reviews.

    Sponsored Links

    More Paris Travel Deals

    Paris 35€ per night
    Cool hotels, hostels, apartments Always 35€/night. Always central

    Paris Hotels Deals
    Up to 70% Off Paris Hotels. Find Discount Rates on Top Hotels!

    Visit Paris
    Let Us Help You Plan the Perfect Vacation to Paris.

    Sponsored Links


    Paris Hotels





    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.