The Montmartre funicular at a glance
The Funiculaire de Montmartre is a short cable railway on the hillside below the basilica. It saves you the climb up the outer steps, and it runs from early morning until well after the basilica has closed. The ride takes just over a minute. Allow a minute to a minute and a half for the ride itself, and add the time you wait at the station.
It is part of the Paris public transport network, which means a normal transport ticket works. It does not include any entry to the basilica. If you want to go up inside the dome as well, read about the Sacré-Cœur dome climb and tickets before you set your day.
Funicular tickets and how to pay
Prices and rules for 2026.
The single ticket
A Métro-Train-RER single ticket costs €2.55 in 2026, and €1.30 at the reduced rate. It is valid on the funicular, but with one limit: it gives no onward connection. If you ride the funicular, you need a new ticket for the next metro or bus journey.
Phone or Navigo Easy
You can buy the ticket through an app on your smartphone, or load it onto a Navigo Easy card. The Navigo Easy card is only the carrier. An empty card is not a free ride, so load a valid ticket on it first.
Contactless bank card
Since 9 July 2026 you can pay at the funicular directly with a contactless bank card, at €2.55 per ride. You do not need any additional card for this way of paying.
Children
The reduced fare applies to children from 4 up to, but not including, 10 years. A ten-year-old pays the full fare.
Our pick: the other way up
The little tourist train starts at the basilica forecourt; it is a separate ride, not the funicular.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Montmartre tours and Sacré-Cœur dome tickets
Walking tours of the hill, dome entry with a guide, food tours and a night out, with live prices and availability.
Funicular or steps?
Three ways up the hill, compared.
| Way up | Cost | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Funicular | €2.55 single, €1.30 reduced | About one minute, daily 06:00–00:45 |
| Outer steps | No ticket needed | About 220 to 222 steps |
| Bus 40 | €2.05 single, €1.05 reduced | Crosses the hill; a different ticket from the funicular |
For most visitors the funicular is the better way up and the steps are the better way down. The ride saves your legs for the dome or the walk through the streets, and the way down on foot goes at your own pace.
If you travel with young children, luggage or tired legs, ride up. If you want the streets and the view on the way back, walk down. You can combine both on one day, because the funicular runs from early morning into the night.
The outer steps are a different structure from the stairs inside the dome. The dome staircase has its own count, 280 to 300 steps depending on the count, so do not add the two together.
At the station
The stations have ticket gates, so have your ticket or card ready before you reach the barrier. If you pay with a phone or a contactless card, keep it where you can reach it.
Works, hours and access
What to check before you go.
Inspection work in 2026
A major inspection ran from mid-January to mid-June 2026, with mostly one cabin in service. That period is over, but check the current status before you plan around the ride.
Waiting times
There is no fixed timetable to quote, so do not plan to the minute. If the queue looks long and you are fit, the outer steps are always an option.
Step-free access to the basilica
The basilica has a lift entrance at the back, at 35 rue du Chevalier de la Barre. Its hours run from 08:30 to 18:30 or 19:00, so check the latest. There is no lift to the dome. Ask before you travel about step-free access to the funicular itself.
A calm note on bracelets
Near the entrance to the Square Louise-Michel, strangers have been known to grab a visitor's wrist, tie a bracelet on and then ask for money. Keep your hands free, say no clearly, keep walking and keep your bag closed in front of you.
Plan the rest of your visit
Getting to the hill and what to do once you are up.
Montmartre funicular: frequently asked questions
How much does the Montmartre funicular cost?
A single ticket costs €2.55 in 2026, and €1.30 at the reduced rate. You can also pay with a contactless bank card at €2.55 per ride since 9 July 2026.
Can I use my metro ticket on the funicular?
Yes, the single ticket is valid on the funicular. It gives no connection to another journey, so you need a new ticket afterwards. A Navigo Easy card is only a carrier for a ticket, not a free pass.
When does the funicular run?
Daily from 06:00 to 00:45. Hours can change for works, so check before a late trip.
How long is the ride and how many steps does it save?
The ride takes just over a minute. The outer staircase beside it has about 220 to 222 steps.
Is the funicular the same as the dome climb?
No. The funicular takes you up the hill. The dome has its own entrance, its own ticket and its own staircase, with no lift.
Is this the official Sacré-Cœur or funicular website?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not connected to the basilica, the archdiocese or the public transport operator. Check the current status with them before you travel.