6 Tips for How to Survive the Parisian Metro
As Centenary’s resident Girl Scout and a student who went on the 2022 May Module to Paris, I have a few tips regarding public transportation in Paris. When it comes to kinds of navigating the city, you have a few options when it comes to using your daily tickets! The most obvious choice is the metro, as it’s what your professors and you will be using most of the time. However, the metro is not the only option, and sometimes the better (or more accessible) option is the bus system. Some of the tips and tricks shared here apply to both systems, but each is a little different!
Tip 1: Know your home stop and line!
If you get anything out of this list, please remember the name of the stop where you get off and the line number of your home stop. The line number is the name of the specific route and includes the list of stops taken by those trains. By remembering this information, it will be much easier to guide yourself (and your friends) back to home base!
Tip 2: Up close and personal!
Trains (and buses) tend to be the most crowded during the times we normally think of as “rush hour,” so mostly weekday mornings and late afternoons! You might try to avoid them at this time, especially if you aren’t a fan of being smushed close to a bunch of strangers.
Also, sometimes it’s not worth getting on that super crowded train. Your feet might hurt a lot from walking (I know mine did), but it’s better to walk than to leave a friend behind. Plus, sometimes a 15-minute walk can show you some cool things in Paris that you might miss otherwise!
Tip 3: Use your resources wisely (Google Maps)!
For me, my maps app was a savior. The maps app can be particularly helpful when you are heading to somewhere you have never been before. It can tell you which lines to take, in what direction, and what stops to get off. It can also be an indicator of if a bus might be faster or more straightforward than the metro.
Tip 4: Know your directions!
One of the things to double-check before you get on a train is if you are going in the right direction or not. The list of stops in each direction found within the metro stations on the way to the platforms is particularly helpful in confirming this! Just make sure your desired destination is on the list of stops in the direction you are heading, and you are good to go!
Tip 5: Watch your stuff!
Unfortunately, pickpockets are a thing in Paris, as they are anywhere else. On the metro, specifically on more crowded trains, make sure you are aware of where your bag is. It’s good practice to make sure you have eyes on it, or one of your friends does.
If you have a cross-body, messenger, or tote bag, those tend to work pretty well in the more populated areas. Avoid keeping your phone or wallet in your back pocket or easily accessible parts of your backpack. Ideally, the harder you make it for people to take things from you, the fewer things will get taken from you.
Tip 6: No one is left behind!
Image from mymodernmet.com
I’m sure that you’ve heard of sticking to a group of 3 or 4. But what if someone gets separated? If that happens, the right course of action might depend on the situation. My biggest tip is the following: make a plan with your group ahead of time. Consider things like how many of your group have access to texting and calling. Consider how you might minimize the amount that someone is wandering around Paris on their own. If someone doesn’t get on a train in time and the next one is only a few minutes away, you have them get on the next one and meet the group at the agreed-upon stop. Or, if you need to, you could go back for the person who got separated. Every situation is different, but if you have a plan or a designated meeting spot, that can help the panic that might come with losing track of a group member.
I hope these tips prove to be helpful to you as you enjoy Paris and learn how to move within the city! Be safe and have fun!
Your Girl Scout Guide,
Mackenzie Newlan
