6 Causes Vacationers Getting Fined on the Paris Metro

Navigating the Paris Metro might sound daunting, particularly for vacationers. With a posh ticketing system, strict guidelines, and occasional language limitations, it’s straightforward to make easy errors that would result in sudden fines.

That will help you keep away from these frequent pitfalls, I’ve put collectively a information that particulars the highest causes vacationers find yourself paying extra than simply their fare whereas exploring Paris by Metro.

Salut, I’m Lena – journey planning skilled and parisienne since 2006 🩷

6 Causes you get fined on the Metro

From understanding ticket sorts to realizing correct metro etiquette, right here’s every thing that you must know earlier than you go to maintain your journey easy and penalty-free.

The identical guidelines apply as effectively for buses and trams!

Additionally learn my full information on How To Use The Parisian Metro in 2024

#1 You Purchase the Flawed Metro Ticket

When utilizing the Metro, or any public transportation in Paris, you see your self confronted with varied ticket choices. And right here’s the issue: a typical motive to get fined is just that you just purchased the incorrect ticket.

• Senior’s: Many suppose the tarif réduit ticket covers older folks. It doesn’t.
• Child’s: A tarif réduit baby ticket is just for children as much as 9 years previous. In case your baby is older, you want a full ticket. Older means from 10 years on.
• Vacation spot Combine-up: Tickets just like the billet + are for central Paris and adjoining suburbs solely. Heading to Versailles, Disneyland, or the airport? You’ll want a distinct ticket.

#2 You Trash Your Metro Ticket

Validating your ticket and placing it within the bin? That’s a really secure manner in case you are aiming to get tremendous. It’s essential to preserve your ticket till you exit the metro station. For those who throw it away after coming into, and there’s a spot test, you’ll face a tremendous for not with the ability to present proof of cost.

And no different proof of cost is accepted than your ticket.

#3 You Don’t Validate Your Metro Ticket

Some guests both neglect or don’t notice they should validate their tickets earlier than coming into the metro.

This rule applies even when the turnstiles! Which certainly would possibly recommend that validation isn’t needed. However the truth is, it’s. Ask an worker on the ticket sales space to validate your ticket for you.

If there’s no person round to assist, take a photograph from the station or higher, a video, and be aware down the station identify.

It occurs much less on Metros and RER trains as a result of that you must validate your ticket to get via the turnstiles. However slips simpler when you’re touring by bus or tram.

#4 You Don’t Respect the Guidelines

A easy however usually costly mistake is disrespecting the metro’s guidelines. Just lately, I learn surprisingly usually posts from folks complaining about impolite controllers fining them for one thing so minor as putting their ft on the seat.

It ought to be frequent sense, however when you’re caught doing this, you’ll be fined. And this counts as effectively in your children. Sustaining correct decorum helps make sure that everybody’s journey is snug and nice.

#5 Your Ticket Is Not Crammed Out

Most tickets don’t require you something to do, however for some tickets, some motion is perhaps required. So in case your ticket has a line so that you can write the date or a reputation on, or a subject to stay a photograph, it’s not non-compulsory. If the data is lacking, you’re fined.

#6 You Purchased A Ticket from A Scammer

Whole bummer, nevertheless it occurs and in the long run it’s you who pays the tremendous, so be careful for this rip-off:

Faux ticket brokers who look very official provide their assist shopping for your ticket on the ticket machines. After which they both have you ever pay for every week ticket however hand you a ticket+ legitimate for a single journey, or a youngsters’s ticket as a substitute of a full fare ticket.

What to do when you get fined?

Firstly, don’t panic, keep calm after which… there’s not a lot you are able to do about it besides to pay your tremendous. The tremendous is normally between €35 and €60.

So, if you end up surrounded (and intimidated) by a staff of 5 RATP Brokers, it’s not a rip-off they usually don’t goal vacationers. Frankly, the difficulty is in 99% of instances one of many 6 causes above.

The way to pay your Paris Metro tremendous?

The best method to pay your tremendous is on the spot in both money or by bank card. It’s additionally cheaper as you profit from a discount. I’m penning this right here as a result of I usually learn that individuals really feel scammed by precisely that: Pay straight away, and it is going to be cheaper. However that’s the way it works.

Alternatively, and in case you are not dwelling overseas, you’ll be able to have your invoice despatched to your own home deal with. For this, you want to have the ability to present a legitimate ID that states your deal with.

For those who can’t do both, pay on the spot nor present a French deal with, they could name the police.

There may be one exception:

In case you are 100% positive that you just adopted each recommendation that I listed above, and your ticket have to be right, the “RATP brokers” is perhaps pretend brokers. It’s VERY uncommon, however in case you are suspicious, ask for his or her ID and request the police.

If they’re pretend, they may attempt to stress you into paying, however in the end allow you to go earlier than you name the police.

Parisienne since 2006 🩷

Professional in: Parisian Life &

French Tradition, Journey

Planning, Crochet & Meals and Drinks

Be part of me on Fb for updates and information about Paris.