Paris public transportation guide for Galileo Global Education students
Paris offers one of the most efficient and affordable public transportation networks in Europe, making it easy for Galileo Global Education students to explore the city, commute to campus, and enjoy all that French culture has to offer.
Whether you’re attending classes at one of Galileo’s schools in central Paris or exploring nearby suburbs, you’ll benefit from an extensive system of metro, bus, tram, and regional trains, complemented by cycling and international travel options.
Public transportation in Paris
Paris’s local transport system, operated by RATP, includes the metro, bus, and tram, as well as RER suburban trains. These systems cover all of Paris and its surrounding Île-de-France region, organized into zones.
- Regular service runs daily between 5:30 AM and 1:00 AM (extended to 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights on the metro).
- The RER is faster than the metro but typically ends service slightly earlier.
- For maps and schedules, visit the RATP website or use apps like CityMapper.
Student transport passes in Paris
Metro tickets
Students may opt to buy a single metro ticket or a "carnet" of 10 tickets at a reduced price. The price of the ticket depends on the zone you need to go to. A single ticket is valid for only one direction and can be used to make a transfer within the metro system. However, it is not valid for a transfer from bus to metro or metro to bus; another ticket is needed.
Refer to the RATP website for any transportation inquiries. They also have a great interactive metro and bus map.
Navigo pass
This is a monthly pass, allowing you to benefit from unlimited travel within Paris and the suburbs. The pass is valid for any public transportation, including buses and the metro. When purchasing the card, pay close attention to the number of zones you will need access to, as the price varies accordingly.
The Navigo also offers an annual option, where one can pay in monthly installments. This type of pass is that it can be replaced at no additional fee if lost.
For more information, visit an RATP Agency near you.
Imagine'R card
If you’re under 26, the Imagine’R card offers an annual student pass at 50% off the regular Navigo price. It includes unlimited travel across all Île-de-France (Paris and suburbs) on weekends, public holidays, and school vacations, plus discounts at cinemas and select stores.
The subscription is open from August to January, aligning with the French academic year. To apply, pick up a form at any metro station or download it online, and provide a photo ID, proof of enrollment, and your bank account details (RIB).
This option is especially recommended for students enrolled for both fall and spring semesters.
Types of transportation in Paris
Metro system
Fast and easy to use, it stops all over Paris and offers many connections. When traveling in Paris, ask for the name of the closest "Métro" station. Check a map for the line number and find out which direction you need to take. The Parisian metro has 14 lines, each with its own number and color for easy identification.
You can also download and use the CityMapper app. It will tell you in detail which metro line you need to take to arrive at your destination. It's a very practical and safe way to travel.
RER transportation
Faster than the Métro, the RER is the express train for Paris. It has fewer stops than the Métro, but it also serves suburban cities. The RER has five lines, each with its own letter (A to E) and color.
Vélib bicycles
Vélib is a program sponsored by the City of Paris, where anyone can rent bicycles for 29 euros per year or 1 euro per day (without a subscription). All it takes is a deposit of 150 euros, which you will get back if you return the bike in the same condition. You can use the bicycle for the first 30 minutes for free.
There are many Vélib stations around Paris and even similar programs in nearby suburbs. Visit the Vélib website for more details.
Paris: a hub of international connections
For Galileo students with global ambitions, Paris is more than just well connected locally, it’s one of the best-connected cities in the world.
From Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Orly Airport (ORY), you can reach nearly any major city worldwide. Nonstop flights link Paris to iconic international destinations such as:
New York, London, Tokyo, Dubai, Shanghai, Toronto, Mexico City, Johannesburg, and Sydney.
Both airports are accessible by RER, bus, or shuttle from central Paris, making it easy for Galileo students to visit home, travel during breaks, or pursue international internships and study opportunities.
Can Galileo students use Vélib’ bikes with their Navigo pass?
Yes! Once your Navigo pass is linked to Vélib’ (by entering its number in the Vélib’ system), you can unlock bikes directly using your Navigo card—no need to type codes each time and it saves time at the station.
Is there a contract length for a Navigo monthly pass? Can it be canceled anytime?
The standard Navigo monthly pass has no long-term commitment, you can cancel anytime. Only the annual subscription includes a one-year commitment.
Which Paris airports are directly accessible via public transport from Galileo campuses?
Galileo students can conveniently reach both Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY) Airports using Paris’s RER, metro, bus, and shuttle networks, perfect for travel during breaks or for internships abroad.
