How-To: Navigate the Métro
Paris has one the world’s oldest métro systems. It has slowly developed a complex and dense network throughout the city in 14 intersecting web of lines. As you use the métro, you'll notice the wide discrepancies between the different lines. Some have twisty door knobs to open them. Others open automatically. Some trains are manually operated. Others are automatic. They all regularly break down and are under construction.
Our hotel has two stations close by: Richard Lenoir and Breguet-Sabin, which are on line 5. By using the métro, you will have an understanding of which lines to take that aren’t under construction and which stations to avoid transfers.
A good app to download is the Paris Métro, where you can input a starting and final destination. You can also prioritize the fastest time or fewest transfers and it will give you an estimated travel time. It does not require internet to operate. Of course, this also means that it is not a reliable source because it does not update for break downs and closures.
To use the métro, I recommend getting the Navigo Week Pass instead of the booklet with 10 tickets. It's a lot cheaper, faster and it can take you to places outside of Paris without the extra cost. Just as the name states, the pass lasts for a week. There is a 5€ fee for card itself PLUS:
21,25€ to travel within central Paris and all Zones 1-5
includes Airport CDG (in Zone 5)
Disneyland Paris
Chateau de Versailles
covers ORY Airport (Orly) using the Orlyval bus (not Orlyval train from Antony station)
You can buy a Navigo Pass at any Métro station that has a train ticket window. Then, you’ll need to write your name and use one of the passport size photos you brought to be used on the pass. If you don't have a photo available, there’s nearly always a photo booth nearby the ticket windows at major stations, costing 5€ for a set of four pictures or you can use the photocopied picture of your passport as well. Once that's done, you're all set and ready to go!