Night Metro in Paris 2025: Can You Travel After Midnight?

Night Metro in Paris 2025: Can You Travel After Midnight?

Night Metro in Paris 2025: Can You Travel After Midnight?

Paris, the City of Light, attracts millions of night owls every year. But what about public transportation after midnight? Unlike other metropolises like New York or London, Paris does not offer a fully operational night metro on a regular basis. However, there are some exceptions. Here is everything you need to know about getting around after midnight in 2025.


Is the Paris Metro Open All Night?

Currently, the Paris metro does not operate continuously throughout the night. However, schedules have been extended to make nighttime travel easier. You can now take the metro:

  • Monday to Thursday and Sunday: until around 1:15 AM.
  • Friday, Saturday, and the night before public holidays: until around 2:15 AM.

There are also exceptional nights when the metro operates all night.


Nights When the Metro Runs All Night

  • New Year’s Eve: Every year, several metro and RER lines remain open for free all night to allow Parisians and visitors to celebrate without transportation worries.
  • Fête de la Musique (June 21): Some lines generally stay open later or are reinforced to facilitate nighttime travel.
  • Special Events: Depending on major upcoming events (Olympics, large concerts, festivals, etc.), certain lines may extend their services. It is recommended to check official RATP announcements.

What Are the Other Transportation Options After Midnight?

1. Noctilien: Night Buses

Noctilien buses take over from the metro and RER between 12:30 AM and 5:30 AM. These routes cover both central Paris and the suburbs.

  • N01 and N02: Circle Paris, following the routes of Metro lines 1 and 2.
  • N11 to N16: Connect different districts within Paris.
  • N21 to N154: Provide connections to train stations and suburban areas.

2. RER and Transilien

The RER and Transilien train lines generally close around 12:30 AM, but additional trains may be scheduled for major events.

3. Shared Mobility Options

  • Vélib’: Available 24/7, this bike-sharing service remains an economical option for short trips.
  • Electric Scooters and Mopeds: Several companies offer electric scooters for short-distance travel within Paris.
  • Taxis and Ride-Sharing Services: Uber, Bolt, and G7 remain accessible options for nighttime trips.

Future Plans: A Fully Operational Night Metro in Paris?

The idea of a night metro service has been discussed by authorities and candidates in municipal elections on multiple occasions. However, due to maintenance work and the high costs involved, RATP currently favors expanding RER and Noctilien services rather than running the metro overnight.

However, with the upcoming Grand Paris Express expansions and increasing demand for nighttime mobility, some decisions may evolve in the coming years.


train-compressor

Conclusion

As of 2025, the Paris metro still does not run all night, except on special dates such as New Year’s Eve and the Fête de la Musique. However, several alternatives allow for easy travel after midnight, including Noctilien buses, shared mobility options like bikes and scooters, and taxis/rideshares.

If you plan on staying out late, be sure to check transportation schedules and plan your return trip in advance!


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