Paris Metro
Paris metro or Métropolitain as it is called in France, is one of the oldest metro systems in the world. Paris metro has more than 300 stations and Châtelet-les-Halles is the largest metro station in the world. Paris metro carries 4.5 million passengers every day.
Notwithstanding its size and complexity, Paris metro is well signposted and quite easy to use. Clear and detailed maps are posted at all stations. Metro lines are numbered and marked with different colours. Once you find the correct train line, you only need to figure out which direction you need to travel to, which you can identify by the name of the final station of that particular line.
A standard ticket for Paris metro is valid for 90 minutes and entitles you to unlimited number of changes of metro lines. It is called t+ and costs €1.70. Tickets are available from machines or ticket windows at every metro station. If you plan to use Paris metro often, it is worth getting 'carnet', a book of 10 tickets which costs only €12.50, a saving of €4.50 in comparison to buying single tickets t+.
Changing lines in Paris metro
Chances are that whenever you travel by Paris metro, you will need to change metro lines. In order to save time in doing so, try to stick to one simple rule: if it is possible at all, try to change lines at stations where only two metro lines intersect. Metro stations in Paris serving 3 or 4 lines are usually gigantic, which means that in order to get to another metro line, you will need to navigate through a maze of endless corridors and staircases. An underground walk from one line to another could take as long as 10 minutes! This is the reason that sometimes it is better to take a slightly longer metro journey and change trains at a smaller station. You will reach your destination quicker and less tired that way.
More information on Paris metro: RATP Transports en île de France.
Those of you who don't like public transport and have a little bit of an adventurer spirit can explore Paris by bicycle - for as little as €1.70 per day!