Is metro travel safe in Paris

I think your resource is paranoid, lol. I'm a senior female solo traveler with not much in the way of city smarts (see my location, hahaha!). I was in Paris for 2 weeks in October 2024 and will be back for about 3 weeks September in to October. I will be using the Metro a lot.

Your resource is wrong in this case AND things have changed -- not an either/or situation.

Public transport system in Paris is prolly above average for comparable metro areas w/r/t safety.

I would NOT give two hoots to such advice regarding the Metro. The basic question what are you afraid of?

I took the Metro night and day this time since the bus stops in the Paris Nord and Est area were affected by all the construction work, etc, it was easier to locate the Metro stations instead...never felt unsafe or feel on heightened alert (what for?)

Like Pam, I am also an older woman and on my last trip I had my two grandkids with me. We never had any problems. I don’t know where you heard that but I would discount it.

My first question would be - who is this someone, and on what basis are you giving their "advice" credence? I am by any definition a little old lady, who even uses a cane. And i have never felt unsafe anywhere in Paris, including the metro. Except for that summer when there was a heatwave and the metro were saunas. But that,was really about comfort, not personal safety.

Silly. As a certified little old lady, who visits Paris for several weeks twice a year, I use the metro extensively. We always stay near the edges of Paris and we have friends across town -- so we are using the metro 3 or 4 times on a typical day. I have in all this time never once felt nervous on the metro. It is hopping till late with groups, couples etc.

I bet wherever the OP is from is a lot more dangerous than Paris.

Pickpockets. You protect yourself by being pickpocket proof -- but violent crime especially against tourists is very rare.

Nonsense, public transportation is closely monitored by hundreds of cameras and patrolled by a 2000 man, special police force. However, pickpockets continue to be a concern.

Well, I would probably land somewhere in the middle between your source who believes that the Metro is "unsafe" in general and those who see no problems at all.

It's important to keep in mind that ALL large cities, including those in the USA, have some areas of town that are safer than others. I don't think the problem is the Metro in general, but rather the particular Metro stops at which you might enter or exit. The travel vloggers Les Frenchies have a useful episode on this exact topic which you might want to check out.

Recently some one told me to not use because they have become unsafe.

Generally, "safe" is one of those "it depends" situations where only YOU can decide what is safe for YOU. In general, pretty much everywhere in the touristed parts of Paris is statistically safer than almost anywhere in the US. But that doesn't matter if you (or that other someone) isn't comfortable in a foreign environment.

We all have our comfort zones. Riding a metro in any city is usually one of those "thousands of folks do it safely every day" sorts of situations, so if it's a matter of "feeling" safe vs actually "being" safe, you will be relatively safe riding the Paris Metro, but depending on your personal perspective, you might feel unsafe. Same with the NYC subway, the DC Metro, or any other mass transit system.

Is metro travel safe in Paris? YES - especially based upon, "I have always used the public transport system there without difficulty."

That Frenchies episode on metros to avoid was beyond silly. You can be pickpocketed anywhere it is crowded i.e. ALL metros but your best chance of being picked is at the Louvre or Musee d'Orsay or Eiffel Tower -- especially in lines. You protect yourself by not having valuables in pockets, backpacks or carelessly held purses.

We have stayed in over half the arrondissements including in areas with a fair amount of social housing; we have taken metros from one end of Paris to another. There is no reason besides weak knees for avoiding the metro.

I actually thought that Les Frenchies episode on what Metro stations to avoid was fairly good and I generally don't watch or like their stuff. There fortunately is no eating/chewing in this episode.

Antoine starts with Les Halles which I avoid too - way too confusing for me, lol. Another they mention and I avoid is Bir Hakeim which my guide for my RS Paris tour told us to avoid and that was 2014. Les F mentions Tuileries because Colleen got picked there but I don't mind that station at all. She is right about bottlenecks there and there being lots of tourists going in/out. I got picked possibly at La Motte Picquet-Grenelle or Odeon but I don't avoid them I just make sure I'm aware and "zipped" before I approach the station. (They only got my toiletries bag with my chapstick and good hand cream!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJPuLM4N2vE

I'll also add that even when I know to discount someone's opinion, sometimes some doubt wriggles its way in to my brain. I'm glad the OP asked "us" for opinions and I'm hopeful we allayed their concerns.

Pam, I used the RER station at Bir Hakeim in April, no issues during the day and no nefarious individuals hanging about. I don't know the situation at the metro station.

There fortunately is no eating/chewing in this episode.

Pam!! lmao!

What is this terrible thing that is going to happen at Bir HaKeim which I have used many times without fear? There are stations where you see a lot of immigrant minority men hanging about selling cigarettes or Eiffel Towers -- I just ignore them unless I am in the market for a sparkling Eiffel tower. I try to buy all my sparkling Eiffel Towers from these guys who are desperately trying to support themselves and maybe families. So far I have been pleased with the product as have my grandkids. Even Barbes where there are lots of these guys hanging about, you just walk through them and about your business. I have never been hassled and certainly never touched or frightened by them.

Chatelet -- well yeah this is a terrible station which we also avoid because of the long walks and couple dozen exits but it isn't dangerous.

Pickpocketing is less likely to happen in the scary part of town with immigrants than in the posh part of town with tourists -- and especially the museums where I think many tourists feel they are 'safe'.

I'm 65 and in Paris 3-4 days at a time 2-3 times a year. I use the metro a lot. I also walk a lot, even at night. And while I have noticed more people sleeping on the ground in the metro and on the streets over the past 4-5 years I have never been worried about being accosted. Frankly Strasbourg seems to be less stabile, but that's probably because the police and military are much more obvious there, probably due to the EU administrative presence.

That Frenchies episode on metros to avoid was beyond silly.

The Frencies are in the business of attracting followers, usually people who have little to no experience in Paris, more than they are concerned about objective opinion. Overall, I find them overly sensational and just difficult to watch.

There are pickpockets anywhere there are groups of people, not just in the métro.

Mr. E's linked article gives good, practical advice entirely consistent with what I saw in Barcelona in 1999, felt in London walking through Leicester Square that same year, and that I felt here in Seattle, just two days ago.

Paris and the saga of lost phones and wallets
(EDITED for clarity - to eliminate the author’s unfortunate choice of words mugging and mugged or muggers - in light of later comments below; I don’t think her original words meant the same to her as they mean to most Americans.)

Losing phones or having your wallet stolen in Paris is now considered a bitter rite of passage by some. And it is not an exaggeration! I know so many people personally who have lost both during their Paris metro transit. One time, I even saw a bunch of kids rushing out of the metro, just as an elderly lady inside realised her phone had been stolen by one of them. It was too late though, as the metro doors
closed and the train got moving already.

The only way to avoid being [pickpocketed or having your purse or phone or bag grabbed] is by being more careful. But honestly, with how dexterous some of these pickpockets are, all they need is the slightest bit of lax behaviour, to prevail. And they seem to have the innate ability to smell out the tourists. This is also why most of the [theft] happens in metro lines that run between touristy Paris spots. Here are some things to remember:

Always put your bag with your valuables in front of you. Ensure all buckles and zippers are closed. If your phone is in your pocket, double check that it’s not easily reachable. Do not scroll your phone while standing next to a metro door. You’re just asking for someone to grab it and run. If you see someone check you out in the metro, beware, it’s not a romantic French move. It might just be a [thief] sizing you up. Sigh!

What I saw in Barcelona 25+ years ago on the Metro was that locals wore their 'backpacks' so that the bag was in front of them. Women's purses, sported by locals, had zippers in the straps, so one strap was over each shoulder and the bags were held in front. What I "felt" in London in Leicester Square on that night in 1999 was a crowded "scene," so I moved my wallet from my back pocket to my front pocket. And I did the same here in Seattle on the waterfront, just two days ago, not that I was really afraid about having my pocket picked, but it just seemed wise. And, of course, Rick suggests the 'money belt,' where I tend to carry my passport ... even if it is a little hard on it. Next month, we're off to Germany & France, and we will finish in Paris. I am taking 'cargo pants' with zippered pockets for my phone and other items that I don't want to lose, as well as the RS 'money belt.'

Travel safe, travel smart, and don't travel with a target on your back. Be situationally aware. That said, don't fret, go forth and enjoy.

Took too long for this thread to mention Leicester Square.

It's not just the local yobs, either -- the excitement of coming into town combined with high test(osterone) fuel brings out the best in a lot of folks.

Sorry if I’m being thick here, but what has Leicester Square got to do with safety on the Paris metro?

In general, as life has become much safer over the past 60 years, people have ironically become more fearful. When I was a kid my parents let me free-range, the only rule being home when the street lights came on. Parents with this approach today would give up their children to municipal children's services.

Risk is measured by a very different yardstick today. Not an entirely positive development IMO.

I don't know who Mr. E is or what his credentials are as far as public transport in Paris goes. But I do know there's a big difference between mugging and having your pockets picked.

Mugging implies the danger of physical assault and injury.

If your pocket is picked, on the Paris métro or eleswhere, you won't even know it happened until you go to look for your wallet or phone. They're not interested in hurting you physically. And if you take even reasonable precautions, you don't need to worry about it.

The Paris metro is still generally safe and widely used by locals and tourists every day. Like any big city, there are occasional issues pickpocketing is the main concern, especially on busy lines or at major stations. Just stay aware of your surroundings and keep valuables secure. If you’ve used it before without trouble, you’ll likely be fine now too. Your source may be overreacting a bit

Emma and Happy to Be Here …

Emma, Leicester Sq has nothing and everything to do with riding the Paris Metro. The point is that there is a risk of having your stuff swiped anywhere you go. On the Paris Metro, the NY subway, London’s tube or at home. So, don’t make it easy by having your cell phone sticking out of your back pocket or by holding it out in your hand when you’re standing by the open door of a Metro car that has stopped in the station.

Happy…, I agree that the cited (and quoted) article excerpt probably should have used the word theft (or ripped-off), rather than mugging. Read it again with that edit in mind.

My point is: Don’t make it easy for someone to rip you off. We can all take minimal efforts to enjoy a safe trip on the Metro and while walking through central Paris, central Prague, and central anywhere.

Well, I would probably land somewhere in the middle between your source who believes that the Metro is "unsafe" in general and those who see no problems at all.

I am with Linda on this...

In recent months I have seen reports on French TV news about sexual harassment and assault of women in the Paris Metro and on metro busses. It happens there, as it happens in other cities.

Mr. E, my quibble is with your wording. A mugging is simply not the same as being pickpocketed. Anyone who's never been to Paris may read "mugging" and think they'll be harmed.

I'm sorry Mr. E you're right . Whoever wrote the post with mugging all over it referring to having your pocket picked. It's not mugging.

My wife and I use the Metro exclusively. Very safe. Good travels.

When you take the Metro and see all these locals doing likewise day in and day out, I wonder if it occurs to them if the Metro is "safe" Maybe their attitude on the perceived safety or the lack of it is different.

Even if were unsafe, however that is defined, what am I going to do? Not go to Paris...not an option, out of the question. In such case I still take Metro and use the buses as a combination, very efficient

In some ways the Navigo card is even better than paper metro tickets for riding the bus and the metro. I used to carry around when out and about a dozen or si Metro tickets, carefully keeping track of used ones from those unused....no such concern with Navigo card.

I use 3 of them , load them up and use them with ease. The card always works allowing you to pass unless that card has run dry, so to speak, in which case pull out the reserve Navigo card for that very purpose.

I always laugh a bit when this perennial question pops up. It is the 'American Question' since so many places in America are unsafe. The 'British question' is 'how much is a pint of lager in XXX?' Americans have trouble imagining places where gun violence and muggings are not a constant fear.