Living in Paris means having to take the subway. Even if you drive your own car in the city, there will be some instances that you have no choice but to commute. And if it's your first time taking the subway, there's a big chance you'll commit a mistake if you're not careful. You wouldn't want that to happen, would you? Of course not! So to help you out, here are some tips you need to follow when navigating the Paris subway. Trust that they'll help you avoid any possible mistake you might make along the way!
Learn A Bit of French
You probably don't need anyone to tell you that an easier way to navigate Paris as a whole is to learn the language here. And this comes in handy more than you know! When simply taking the subway, even when you don't speak to the people around you, understanding French helps you pay attention to the signs, listen more closely to the announcements, and more. You don't have to be as fluent as a native speaker of anything; just learning the basics can be enough (at least when taking the subway!). Don't worry! Paris has
a ton of great language schools you can enroll in.
Avoid The Rush Hour
Before anything else, you might want to take note of the rush hours here in Paris. Typically, they go from 08:00 am to 10:00 am in the morning and around 17:00 (5:00) pm to 20:00 (8:00) pm in the early evening. You'd do well in avoiding the Paris subway during these times. In fact, you'd do well in avoiding most of
the city's public transport during rush hours. At these specific times, the subway is the most crowded. Locals are going to and from work, kids are commuting to school, and the like. You wouldn't want to get stuck on these times!
Get A Travel Pass
Although Paris rush hours are the worst, the city's subway system is usually crowded no matter what time of the day it is. It's just that it's during the rush hours that the crowds tend to get overwhelming. But even in the middle of the day, the subway will still board a lot of commuters. And to avoid getting in their way, buy a travel pass. This will help you gain instant access to the subway, and other public transport systems for that matter, without having to fall in line to buy a ticket. A great option would be the Paris Travel Card, good for six days and only costs €50.35.
Know The Station in Your Destination
More often than not, you'll need to change trains in order to get to your destination. At times, you'll have to do it so often that you'll likely forget which station you have to get to in the first place. In order to avoid that dire situation, memorize the station in your destination. A great way to do it is with the help of a
transportation app, specifically a journey-planning app. On such platforms, simply put in your current location and your destination and they will show you the best routes to take. And yes, this includes the station in your destination within the city.
Be Wary of The Train Doors
When you've gone inside the train, know that its doors aren't always operating properly. For one thing, there are instances that they won't open automatically even when the train has stopped in the station. If this happens to you, simply push the button on the side to open them up. On the flip side, if you go inside a crowded car and you have no choice but to stay near the table, don't lean on it too much. If you do and you didn't notice that you're already in the next station, there's a big chance you'll fall into a pretty bad accident.
Keep Moving
Now, if you do get inside the subway and there's still ample space inside, keep moving further into the train. Not only is it common courtesy, but you risk getting the people behind you annoyed if you don't. Unless your stop is the next station, there's no reason for you to stay near the door of the train. You're expected to move to the center so that the train can board as many passengers as possible. And in this regard, avoid bringing large luggage and other objects with you when you take the subway. Else, it might be better to take a cab instead!
Although the Paris subway is one of the most efficient ways to get around, it's not going to be easy if you don't know how to navigate it properly. There's a lot you need to learn when it comes to commuting by subway in the French capital.
When you've become an expert on the Paris subway system, it'll be easier for you to get around the city. You'll be heading off to work and returning to your
luxury home every day in no time!
