Paris metro: how much does a ticket cost in 2026 and how late do trains run

Paris Métro opens at 5:30 a.m., and the last train leaves around 1:15 a.m. (according to the métro schedule). It is the fastest way to get from the train station to your hotel.

The métro, buses, trams, and RER are all part of one network. Within Paris, the fare does not depend on distance, so a short hop and a trip across the entire city cost the same (according to the Île-de-France fare overview).

Below, we will look at how to choose the right ticket for your trip, where to buy it, and how to avoid getting stuck at the exit.

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How the Paris métro works

💡 In short:

• A single Métro-Train-RER ticket is valid throughout Île-de-France, except for the airports. Buses and trams require a separate ticket.
• The métro runs from early morning until half past one at night, with longer hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Prices and operating hours: as of 09/2026, according to the métro operating schedule

Most stations are underground. The entrance is marked either by a "METROPOLITAIN" sign or by the letter M on a post. The oldest entrances still have their Art Nouveau wrought-iron canopies, and some of them are listed as historic monuments.

Each line is easy to identify by its number and color. Transfers are marked by signs on the walls of connecting corridors, and a network map hangs in the lobby of almost every station. You can go down with a suitcase almost everywhere, but elevators and ramps are far from available at all stations, so at some interchanges you will face stairs only.

The network is dense: neighboring stations are often just a five-minute walk apart. The Louvre, Montmartre, Notre-Dame, and the train stations are all within the city limits, and a single ticket covers the trip to them.

© DXR · CC BY-SAPhoto: DXR, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The métro connects to the suburban RER lines at major hubs. During the day, trains arrive every couple of minutes; late in the evening, the gap grows to ten (according to the métro schedule).

On Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of public holidays, service is extended: the last train reaches the end of the line around 2:15 a.m. On other days, including Sunday, the métro closes earlier (according to the métro schedule).

What tickets are available and how much they cost

© Cheng-en Cheng from Taichung City, Taiwan · CC BY-SAPhoto: Cheng-en Cheng from Taichung City, Taiwan, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Single tickets are sold at machines and ticket offices, but it is more cost-effective to choose a pass that fits your trip right away. Below are the fares for September 2026.

The day pass only pays off from the fifth ride, while the weekly pass is for those staying in the city longer (according to the pass comparison).

Children under four ride free, and school and university students get discounts with proof of status (according to the tourist ticket guide). The fine for riding without a valid ticket is issued on the spot, and inspectors work both on the lines and in the connecting corridors.

Some paper tickets still have fields to fill in. You write your last name and the date of your first trip by hand, otherwise the ticket is considered invalid.

You can top up a Navigo card both at ticket offices and at machines (according to the Île-de-France fare guide). For payment, use a bank card with a chip: machines do not accept cards with only a magnetic stripe.

How to buy and use a ticket

Buying takes a couple of minutes if you know where to find a machine and how to get through the turnstile.

© Chabe01 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chabe01, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Tickets are sold at RATP ticket offices or at machines in metro and RER stations. The machines accept coins and chip bank cards, and large bills may not go through.

Turnstiles control access to the platform. You insert the ticket with the magnetic stripe facing you into the lower slot and take it back from the upper slot. After a short beep and the message "Reprenez votre ticket", step closer to the doors so the sensor activates.

If you have a Navigo card, instead of a ticket, hold it against the purple reader at the top of the turnstile for a second. Then proceed the same way as with a regular ticket.

Keep your ticket until the end of your trip: at some stations you need it to exit as well.

Tickets for Paris's main sights in advance

The metro gets you to the main attractions without traffic or hunting for parking. For the most popular sights, it is better to buy tickets in advance, with a specific time slot: the walk-up ticket line in summer can stretch for a long time.

The same sights are connected by the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour: get on and off at any stop.

Exiting the metro

© Chabe01 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chabe01, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

All station exits are marked with a Sortie sign. The metro map in the concourse will help you pick the right exit: it shows which number leads to a street, train station, or museum.

Plan your route in advance: at large interchange hubs the corridors are long, and taking the wrong exit adds ten minutes of walking.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a metro ride in Paris cost?

A single Métro-Train-RER trip costs €2.55 (as of 09/2026, ticket guide for tourists). A Navigo Jour day pass costs €12.30 (as of 09/2026, Île-de-France fare guide) and only pays off from the fifth trip. Within the city, the price does not depend on distance, so you don't pay extra for kilometers.

How late does the Paris Métro run?

The first train leaves around 5:30, the last one arrives at the terminus around 1:15 (as of 09/2026, Métro timetable). On Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays, service is extended until 2:15. Check the exact time for your station on the schedule for the specific line.

Can I buy a ticket at the machine with a card?

Yes, the machines accept coins and chip bank cards (as of 09/2026, Île-de-France fare guide). Bank cards with only a magnetic stripe don't work, and large bills may also be rejected. You can top up a Navigo card both at machines and at ticket offices.

How do I get through the turnstile with a ticket?

Insert the ticket into the lower slot of the turnstile and collect it from the upper slot. For a Navigo card, just tap it on the purple reader.

Is a regular ticket enough to get to the airport?

A regular ticket is valid throughout Île-de-France, except to the airports. For the airports you need a separate fare or a Paris Visite pass covering all zones (as of 09/2026, ticket guide for tourists). With luggage, a transfer is more convenient: a car waits at the exit and the price is fixed.

In short: what to book

The Métro covers the transport side of the trip: a single ticket, Navigo or Paris Visite solves getting around for all your days. Book museum tickets and observation deck tickets in advance so you don't waste your morning in line.

Selection matrix:

• If you have one day in Paris: get a Navigo Jour and a Louvre ticket with a time slot.
• If you're going for a week: consider Navigo Semaine, it's cheaper than day passes.
• If you're flying with luggage: compare the Métro and an airport transfer.

Check Paris museum tickets on GetYourGuide in advance or book an airport transfer.