Learning how to use the metro in Europe can be intimidating.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by thinking how you are going to get around to all the places you want to see and do on vacation? Add to that the crazy busy-ness of major cities and concerns about pickpockets and safety, and it is can be a big worry! I know I used to be…especially when having my little one with me.
But this guide will help you figure out how to use the metro when traveling in any major city in Europe (or most anywhere) so that you’ll feel confident to take it anywhere!!
Why use the metro? Isn’t a taxi easier?
It may be tempting to just call a cab when traveling to take you to exactly where you need to go. And, depending on the situation, it may still be your best option. But when you are traveling in a major European city the metro is going to be the best way to get around 90% of the time.
It’s faster. The metros run mostly underground and it’s one of the reasons that they are extremely reliable. You don’t get stuck in traffic, you aren’t really affected by the weather and each stop is fast and efficient. They are especially great in the winter. Read more about why you should visit Spain in the winter or the things to do in Paris in the winter.
You figure it out fast! At first, the metros can be confusing and intimidating. At some point you probably will end up on the wrong train or going in the wrong direction. But, if you learn how to figure you’re not going the right way quickly you’ll be able to hop off the wrong train and on the right one in no time!
You’ll quickly become a pro at using it in each city and by the end you’ll be jumping on to get home at the end of the day without even having to look at a map!
Me and Link waiting for the metro in Barcelona. He LOVED the trains as they came in and waved madly to everyone on the train, yelling “Lola!”
Important resources to help you out
A hardcopy map of the metro lines
These are not totally obsolete people! You will love how you can just whip it out when trying to figure out where to go and the stops along the way. They look VERY confusing to me the first time I look at them the first time in any city but quickly become familiar. It is so useful for using the metro when traveling in Europe. You should be able to get one at any tourist stand or sometimes at a metro stop for free.
This website is a great resource with specific info and maps that will help you know how to take the metro in any specific European city.
Google maps offline downloads
This is a free resource that is totally invaluable! Google maps in a free app you can download on any phone (or tablet) where you can put in where you are going and it will tell you how the best way to get there! You can choose how you want to travel (car, bus, metro, walking, biking, etc.) and it will tell you the best and fastest way to go. It has two particular features that make it a great resource for you when traveling, even if you don’t have an international service plan.
- If you start the navigation while you are in WIFI it will download the route so it will guide you the whole way even with no service as you go! As long as you don’t go too off the set track you will be able to follow it all the way there. This is such a great trick since so many places have free WIFI now!
- You can download the maps to cities so that you can search for places even with no service! I always download the city maps beforehand at home and then whenever we are looking for a museum or park or restaurant, we can search it and figure out how to get there! It will let you know where you are on the map but it won’t tell you what metro lines to take and when they leave (this is where the hardcopy map is super helpful!).
Buying metro tickets
Buying tickets to use the metro in Europe is pretty easy.
Many times if you buy a city pass all public transit is included along with your museum passes for a set time period. You can also buy passes just for public transit for unlimited rides in a set period of time. You can either get these ahead of time online or at a tourism office. (This is one of the ways we saved A LOT of money in Spain.)
You can also buy individual tickets or little books of 10 that save you a little money. Each person will need one ticket per ride. (Side note: you can transfer between metro stops all you want for free. But once you go through the turnstalls to leave, you’ll have to use another ticket.)
You can buy tickets from the people at the booth at some stations or the kiosks at every station. The kiosks are great because you can change them to whatever language you need and can pay in cash or card. Just be sure to use a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fee and get bonus points since it’s a travel expense! (Read more about how to pick the best travel credit card for you and start traveling for free!)
Using the metro well is just the combo of two things: getting on the right train and getting off at the right time. If you learn how to figure that out for yourself, you’ll be golden!
Getting on the right train
Getting on the right metro train in Europe is making sure you are:
- On the right line, meaning the right train that actually is going where you want to go
- Going the right direction (since each line goes in two opposite ways)
A metro stop (or station) can have one or many more lines running through it. Use your map to find a line (or a combo of lines) that goes from the stop you’re at, to a stop close to where you wan to go. Google maps will tell you what lines to take, when the trains leave and walking directions to your final destination.
So you know what line to get on, but how do you if you’re going in the right direction??
Every line will have two names for the direction it is going, the name is always the last stop in that direction. For example: the purple line might start at one end at location A and the last stop is B. So, if you get the train from platform for purple A you will be heading towards A if you get on the other side it will be the same line but headed the opposite direction towards B.
You can get off whenever you need but the last stop name lets you know the direction of the train.
Quick tip: the doors will not always open up automatically for you. In those cases, there will be either a button to push (it will light up when ready) or a lever on the door to pull. Do either and the door will open for you. This can be for either getting on or off.
HELP!! WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET ON THE WRONG TRAIN?!
We have all heard the story of people getting on the wrong train and getting lost. But it really is an easy problem to fix!
Pay attention to the stops that is coming up next and make sure it’s the right one. Your map (or there is always a map in the train) will have all the stops marked on the line see what the next one should be and look outside as the train comes into the next station to verify. If the next stop isn’t what it should be get off then and then hop on a train going back to your first stop and try again! Trains come so often that if you are paying attention and fix your mistake early it shouldn’t cost you very much time!!
The sign counts down time until the next train. They are usually a minute or less.
Getting off at the right time
Ok so you’re zooming along and all the stops are what you expect and you know you’re on the right train. Whew!!
Next comes the second important part of riding the metro in Europe, getting off at the right time!
If you are using Google Maps, it will tell you what stop to get off at. But whether you are using Google or a good ol’ map, make sure you already know what stop you need to get off at beforehand.
Be prepared one stop before so you can jump right off. That’s a good time to start getting up and moving towards the doors (you’ll especially need that time if you have little ones!). The doors can close pretty fast and you don’t want to be stuck behind a crowd and not make it off before the doors shut again! Know how to say “excuse me!” in the language of whatever country you are in.
Miss your stop? Don’t panic! Many times the stops are close enough together that it’s not too bad just to walk to your destination from one stop over. Otherwise, just hop on the same line going the opposite direction for one stop and viola you’re there!!
Notice how the lights are lit at the stops that we have already been at. That way you know what direction you are going, what stop is next and how many stops until yours comes!
Have you ever taken the metro before in Europe? What was your experiences?
