Little-known luggage rule could land you a £126 fine on Europe's busiest tube
If you're heading to Paris this summer, there's a little-known luggage rule you'll need to be aware of, or risk ending up €150 (£126.82) out of pocket.
According to the RATP (Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens, the state-owned transport network), suitcases, backpacks and even packages over 75cm aren't allowed on the city's Metro network.
It's pretty strict — given that airlines, including British Airways, allow checked baggage up to 90cm in length — and breaking the rules carries a hefty fine of €150.
There are rules in place for other larger items too, including prams, which are 'preferably folded' while on board, and parcels and packages aren't allowed to exceed 2m in length.
The fine — which is higher than that for fare dodging (which carries on an the spot fee of €35, which is around £29.61) — has actually been in place for years, but has made headlines recently on social media.
Last month, a Parisian journalist took to X after she was handed a €150 fine, not for a large suitcase, but for taking an exotic plant on board.
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'I had the (un)pleasure of receiving a €150 fine for having…carried a plant (admittedly quite tall) on the Tube,' Salome Ferraris penned on X.
After her Navigo pass and ID were seized by Metro staff and several minutes passed without an explanation, Salome was told that her new houseplant was considered an offence because it was too 'bulky.'
'She had the nerve to tell us that we should just take another type of transport next time,' Salome added after she was fined.
'This is super eco-friendly to have to rent a car to transport a simple plant. €70 of plant and €150 of fine. Numbers are not good.'
Once she'd stumped up the cash, Salome learned that she could actually contest the fine – and once she did, she was refunded the money.
Is the Paris Metro's luggage policy actually enforced?
Following the plant debacle, RATP told French publication Le Figaro that it doesn't impose 'any specific dimensions concerning suitcases' – despite the fact that the 75cm rule still appears on the website.
And Parisian travellers say there's outrage over nothing, as the rule is rarely enforced.
'Big up to the tourists, they're gonna love it,' one local says (Picture: Getty Images)
One local, who has lived in the city for five years, tells Metro that they've 'never heard' of the luggage policy.
'I'm English, so I've often got a big case with me as I head to and from the Eurostar to go back to the UK. I've never been fined for travelling with a large suitcase,' she says. 'Neither have any of my friends here.
'However, some of the tubes are so busy sometimes, that you wouldn't actually be able to squeeze a big case on even if you wanted to.'
Paris' Metro is actually the busiest in Europe, according to a 2024 study (after Moscow, which was not included in the analysis), which found that the system carries close to 4.1 million passengers every day.
The travellers says she has experienced hefty fines for a different reason.
'They have zero mercy if you buy the wrong ticket, or if you don't write your name on your ticket if you have an annual pass,' she shares.
Others agreed that they've never had trouble lugging around big bags on the Metro.
Just last week @timbomcchoi admitted to carrying 'a full-length IKEA mirror on the Métro.'
Meanwhile, @Rc72 joked: 'You can tell how seriously the RATP takes its own rules when you see that the stations have gates specifically designed for large suitcases.'
Regardless, other travellers say it's not okay to have the policy in place, whether enforced or not.
Over on the r/France Subreddit, @Elena_4815 labelled it 'completely stupid.'
@Electronic-Ear-5509 suggested that the network 'wants to charge us for every single thing we do,' joking that 'breathing's gonna cost extra too?'
Metro has contacted RATP for comment.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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