8 Easy Steps to Master France’s Train and Metro Systems

Getting around France is easy once you understand how the trains and metro work. Follow these steps to travel like a pro!

1. Where to Get Your Train Tickets

The train system in France is split into two main networks: SNCF (the historic Société Nationale des Chemin de Fer) handles national and regional trains, while metros operate within individual cities like Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse.

Within SNCF, TGV (Trains Grande Vitesse) trains are high-speed connecting cities. They require reservations. Regional trains (TER) are slower but more flexible – prices vary based on time.

Metro (subway) systems in major cities include zones that determine ticket prices. For example, Paris has five metro zones that extend from the city center to suburbs and major airports like Charles de Gaulle. Lyon has two metro zones, while Marseille’s system covers one continuous zone.

2. Choose the Right Ticket

For city metros, you should compare single tickets, day passes, or multi-journey packs. Lyon users use the TCL card, Marseille has RTM tickets, and Paris has the Navigo card.

For trains, you should book TGV tickets in advance to save money. TER tickets don’t require reservations and can be bought on the day of travel.

Consider passes like the Carte Liberté for frequent train travel, or the Interrail pass if traveling across multiple regions.

3. Use Maps and Apps

Download apps specific to your destination. Paris travelers can use the RATP app, while Lyon offers TCL’s app and Marseille the RTM’s app for real-time updates.

Citymapper is a popular app in France for multiple cities, with real-time route planning, metro and train schedules, and alerts for service disruptions. In Paris, it’s especially helpful for figuring out complex metro connections and finding the best RER routes to places like Versailles or Charles de Gaulle Airport.

In Lyon and Marseille, it provides seamless integration of metro, bus, and tram options, which makes transfers simpler.

For trains, use the SNCF Connect app to check schedules, book tickets, and find your platform. In stations, look for large maps that detail train and metro connections. It’s a good idea to carry a physical map for backup, especially in smaller towns where app coverage might be spotty.

4. Getting Around Train Stations

Large stations like Gare du Nord in Paris, Part-Dieu in Lyon, or Saint-Charles in Marseille can be busy and confusing. Arrive early, especially in unfamiliar stations. Look for “départs” (departures) and “arrivées” (arrivals) boards to find your train.

Platforms (“voies”) are usually announced 15-20 minutes before departure. TER ticket holders must validate their tickets in yellow machines before boarding. Smaller stations often have simpler layouts but may lack English signage.

5. Follow Metro Etiquette

Etiquette is basically the same across cities. Always keep your ticket until the end of your trip, as inspectors frequently check.

Stand on the right side of escalators to let others pass. Let passengers exit before boarding, and avoid blocking doors. During peak hours, move to the center of the carriage to make space.

Eating, loud conversations, or playing music without headphones is frowned upon across all metro systems.

6. Handle Transfers Like a Pro

Transfers vary by city. In Paris, hubs like Châtelet-Les Halles or Montparnasse-Bienvenue are large and complex, while Lyon’s Perrache and Marseille’s Castellane are easier to navigate. Follow the clear signage for your next line or platform.

When connecting to trains, use apps like SNCF Connect to check platform updates in real-time. The app provides live notifications about delays, cancellations, and platform changes. For metro transfers, use the RATP (Régie Autonome de Transports Parisiens) app for Paris or TCL (Transport en Commun Lyonnais) app for Lyon.

If your transfer involves buses, plan ahead as some cities (e.g. Toulouse and Bordeaux) have longer waits between connections.

7. Avoid Common Mistakes

Don’t assume all trains or metro lines on the same platform go to the same destination. Check train numbers and departure boards. If you’re unsure about a platform or connection, staff are usually helpful but may not always speak fluent English, so basic French phrases can be useful.

Validate paper tickets at the machines, even for short trips – fines for unvalidated tickets are common! Stay vigilant about belongings in crowded stations or during busy hours.

8. Save Money

Book TGV tickets well in advance for discounts. In cities, weekly or monthly metro passes are usually cheaper than buying single tickets daily. Check for group or family discounts in Lyon and Marseille. Students and seniors can often get reduced fares with proper ID.

Avoid expensive taxis from airports; most cities have direct connections via train or metro. For example, use the Rhône Express in Lyon or TER trains from Marseille’s Provence airport to reach the city center affordably.

With these detailed tips, navigating trains and metros in any French city becomes a straightforward process.