Paris Metro With Kids: Everything Parents Need to Know

If you’re planning a family trip to Paris, figuring out how you’re actually going to get around the city can feel a little overwhelming. The Paris Metro might look confusing at first, especially if you’re traveling with kids, luggage or a stroller, but once you understand how it works, you’ll find it’s the easiest and most cost-efficient way to get around the city.

When we’re in Paris, we use the Metro all the time with our three kids. It’s usually one of the fastest and most affordable ways to get around the city, and after a few rides, navigating it becomes much easier.

There are a few things that you need to know before your first Metro ride. Everything from which tickets to buy, to figuring out which direction to go, to navigating all those stairs with a stroller. I’m breaking everything down here so you know exactly what to expect.

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Is the Paris Metro Easy to Use With Kids?

I wouldn’t say it’s easy, but it’s definitely doable once you understand how the system works. For us, it’s the most affordable option to get our family from one part of the city to another. As a family of 5 we can’t just hop in a quick Uber or taxi so the Metro is the best option for us.

There are 16 Metro lines running throughout Paris, and because there are stations all over the city, you can usually get fairly close to wherever you’re trying to go.

The biggest thing to understand is that Metro directions aren’t labeled north, south, east or west. Instead, you’ll look for the Metro line number and the name of the last station on the line in the direction you’re traveling.

For example, if your directions tell you to take Metro Line 6 toward Nation, simply follow the signs for Line 6 – Nation. On your return trip, you might take that same Metro line in the opposite direction toward Charles de Gaulle–Étoile. There are plenty of signs to help you navigate your way.

Apps to Download Before Your Trip

There are a few apps to help you navigate your way through the Metro. These will be essential as sometimes you have to make a switch to a different line and you’ll need to know your exact route. I suggest downloading these apps before your trip to get familiar with them.

Our favorite app for navigating the Metro is Citymapper. This app will give you the best real time accuracy on delays and transit disruptions. It will also tell you which station exit to use upon arrival.

GoogleMaps is another favorite app of ours. I feel like this one is better for walking around the city or finding your way to a certain attraction or restaurant. It will work for the Metro too if you only want to rely on one app.

You’re going to want to download the official Bonjour RATP app. This is where you will purchase your tickets and pay securely with either ApplePay or a credit card. It’s easy to reload tickets through the app and if you are traveling with children who also need a ticket you can add them to your account.

How to Ride the Paris Metro

If you’ve never used the Metro before, here’s the basic process:

1. Enter your destination into Citymapper or Google Maps.
2. Find the Metro station and line number you need.
3. Look for the final station on the line to determine which direction you need to travel.
4. Tap your Metro ticket, Navigo card or phone at the entrance gate.
5. Follow the signs to your Metro line and direction.
6. If you need to change Metro lines, follow the Correspondance signs.
7. When you arrive at your destination, follow the Sortie signs to exit the station.

A few French words you’ll see constantly are:

Sortie = Exit

Correspondance = Connection/Transfer

You really don’t need to speak French to navigate the Metro. The line numbers, station names and signs make it fairly straightforward.

And don’t panic if you accidentally miss your train. Another one will usually arrive shortly.

Paris Metro Tickets for Kids and Families

Paris simplified its public transportation fares, which makes buying tickets a little easier for visitors.

As of 2026, a standard Metro-Train-RER ticket costs €2.55 per trip and can be used throughout the Île-de-France region on the Metro, train and RER, excluding airport trips. Children ages 4 through 9 qualify for a reduced €1.30 fare, and children under age 4 travel free.

If you’re traveling with younger children, make sure you purchase the reduced-fare ticket rather than paying the full adult fare. Trust me, this will add up if you use the Metro frequently during your stay.

Using a Navigo Easy Card

Another option for visitors is the Navigo Easy card, which is a reusable contactless card that you load with tickets.

Because Paris has phased out traditional cardboard tickets, this reusable, anonymous smart card serves as your ticket. You can purchase the card itself at any Metro or RER station ticket counter, as well as select multi-use vending machines. The cost is €2.00 per ticket in addition to the fares you will need to add.

One important thing families should know is that you cannot use one Navigo Easy card for your entire family. Each person needs their own ticket or pass when traveling.

If you have multiple kids, having a separate card for everyone can take a little organization at the Metro gates, so keep everyone’s cards somewhere easy to reach and have them ready to go before entering the station. Some Metro stops are extremely busy and it can be very stressful to find everyone’s cards quickly. You can write everyone’s names on the cards with black marker or use a small colored sticker or something to easily identify who’s ticket is who’s.

Using Your Phone

This is the easiest option in my opinion. Download the official Bonjour RATP app and you can purchase tickets on here.

You will just tap in and out of the Metro and not worry about using a physical card or ticket.

This can make traveling around Paris much easier, but you’ll want to be sure you are scanning everyone’s tickets within the app as they go through the turnstile.

Using the Paris Metro With a Stroller

The Paris Metro is incredibly convenient with kids.

Unfortunately, it is not particularly stroller-friendly.

The Metro is an old transportation system, and many stations have stairs, long hallways and limited elevator access. As of 2026, Line 14 is still the only Paris Metro line that is fully accessible with elevators.

That doesn’t mean you can’t use the Metro with a stroller, but it does mean that you will be carrying that stroller up and down a lot of stairs. So just know that going into your trip so there are no surprises.

If you are traveling with both parents you can work together to carry the stroller with a young child up and down the stairs. We have done this with all 3 of our children. As the kids get older it gets a little easier because they can get out and walk up and down the stairs and the stroller is much lighter to carry on it’s own.

Bring a Lightweight Stroller

The absolute best investment you can make traveling with kids is to invest in a good travel stroller. You’ll thank yourself later I promise!

Our favorite travel stroller is the Stokke YOYO. It folds up small, is light weight and easily fits in the overhead on planes and trains. We could not travel Europe the way we do without this stroller. We love it so much we have two!

Riding the Metro With Young Kids

Traveling through a busy Metro station with multiple kids can feel chaotic at first, so having a system helps. Make sure you talk to your kids ahead of time about staying together and what to expect through your journey. Make it fun for them and let them help you find the Metro numbers on the signs or quiz them on which way you go.

Before you reach the gate, make sure everyone knows who they’re staying with and have your tickets ready.

With younger children, I also like to make sure everyone is ready before we reach our stop instead of realizing at the last second that it’s time to get off. Let the kids know quietly how many stops until you get off and let them help you keep track.

Trains can get very crowded and doors don’t stay open for long. Gather your kids, bags and stroller before your stop so everyone can get off quickly.

Try to Avoid Rush Hour

Timing is everything with the Paris Metro. Try to avoid riding during morning or evening rush hour if you are traveling with kids. It’s honestly so busy that it’s too stressful.

Save yourself the stress and use the bus or an Uber if you have to travel somewhere during that specific time of day.

Is the Paris Metro Safe With Kids?

We take the Metro all the time as a family and feel comfortable using it with our kids.

We never let our kids stand close to the door and instead keep them back and right with us.

Like any public transportation system in a major city, though, you always need to be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your personal belongings.

Keep purses and backpacks zipped and in front of you at all times. Do not put your phone in your pockets for any reason at any time. Unfortunately you do need to be aware of pickpockets in the city but especially on the Metro.

When we were in Paris this summer a pickpocket reached into my husbands pocket to try and grab his phone just as the Metro doors were opening and everyone was trying to exit. Thankfully my husband was aware of what was happening, but this is why you always need to be aware.

I don’t think families need to be afraid of using the Metro because of pickpockets. Just use the same common sense you would in any busy city.

Metro vs. Bus vs. Uber With Kids

Just because the Metro is usually our preferred way to get around Paris doesn’t mean it’s always the best choice.

Take the Metro When:

The Metro is usually my first choice when we’re traveling a longer distance across Paris and want to get somewhere quickly.

It’s inexpensive, trains run frequently and there are stations throughout the city.

Walk When:

Don’t underestimate how walkable Paris is.

It’s the absolute best way to get around Paris and enjoy all the beauty of the city. It’s by far the easiest way to get around with kids too.

Take the Bus When:

The bus can be a great alternative if you’re traveling with a stroller or if you just want to see more of the city while you’re getting from one place to another.

Paris buses are much more accessible than the Metro. Just be sure you tap in to validate your tickets. There is usually a set area for strollers and wheelchairs too which is nice.

Take an Uber When:

Sometimes the easiest choice with kids is just getting in a car.

If everyone is exhausted after a long sightseeing day, you have luggage with you, you’re traveling very early or late, or the Metro route involves several transfers, paying a little more for an Uber is worth it.

We don’t use taxis in Paris, but we use Ubers all the time and it’s an easy way to get from place to place but it can be tricky if you are traveling with kids that need car seats.

Don’t Miss the Eiffel Tower View From Metro Line 6

There’s one Metro ride I recommend taking even if you don’t actually need it to get anywhere.

Metro Line 6 has one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Part of Line 6 runs above ground, and as the train crosses the Seine between Passy and Bir-Hakeim, you’ll get an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower right from the Metro.

The view happens quickly, so you’ll want to be on the correct side of the train and have your camera ready.

Read my prior post: Paris Metro Line 6: The Best Eiffel Tower View From the Metro

It’s such a fun and easy thing to do with kids!

Final Thoughts on Using the Paris Metro With Kids

The Paris Metro can seem confusing at first, but don’t let that stop you from using it. It really is an affordable way for a family to get around to all the different Arrondissements in Paris.

Once you understand how to look for your Metro line number and direction, the system becomes much easier to navigate. We’ve used it all over Paris with our three kids, and it’s still one of the best ways to get around the city.

Expect lots of stairs, bring a lightweight stroller, download your maps before your trip and give yourself a couple of rides to get comfortable with the system.

Before long, you’ll be hopping on and off the Paris Metro like a pro.

Planning a Trip to Paris With Kids?

If you’re planning your own family trip to Paris, you’ll find more helpful tips and itineraries here to make planning easier.

Start with:

• Where to Stay in Paris with Kids: Best Affordable Family Hotels
• Things to Do Near the Eiffel Tower With Kids: A Family Guide
• The Champs de Mars Playground: The Best Playground Near the Eiffel Tower

And if you want everything in one place, my Paris With Kids Guide includes our favorite things to do, restaurants, playgrounds, family-friendly tips, day trips and more to help you spend less time planning and more time enjoying Paris with your family.