Transport: This upcoming Grand Paris Express line will be one of the fastest metros in the world

Did you know? The Grand Paris Express is set to open one of the fastest metro lines in the world this fall! Here’s more about Line 18, which recently hit speeds of 110 km/h during testing, running manually.

While many Parisians have switched to cycling for their daily commutes across the city, a large number still rely on the metro. The Île-de-France Mobilités network boasts 14 metro lines serving Paris and its surrounding suburbs. This makes traveling to various parts of the capital quick and convenient, thanks to this essential public transport system. Coming soon, four new metro lines are set to open, starting with the Line 18. This upcoming segment of the Grand Paris Express, managed by the Grand Projects Company, is expected to welcome its first passengers in October 2026, connecting Massy-Palaiseau and Christ de Saclay.

Line 18: the first of four new Grand Paris Express lines set to open in 2026
Good news for future users of the Grand Paris Express Line 18! The first tests kicked off on December 18 on the line's elevated section between Massy-Palaiseau and Saclay stations. Once operational later this year, this segment will mark the opening of the first of the four new lines in the Grand Paris Express network, ahead of lines 15, 16, and 17. [Read more]

Meanwhile, testing continues on line 18, including the 6.7 km viaduct section. On March 12th, the metro reached a top speed of 110 km/h during testing—making it one of the fastest metro systems in the world!

"A train reached 110 km/h manually — its top speed during initial testing scheduled for October 2026. The next milestone: reaching 110 km/h automatically, without a driver", according to updates from the Grand Paris Express.

It's worth noting that the average speed of the Paris metro is estimated between 21 and 27 km/h. Currently, the fastest line in the network is Line 14. It can reach speeds up to 80 km/h during peak times and averages around 40 km/h. However, with the advent of the Grand Paris Express, these figures are set to change significantly. Thanks to its design and station spacing, trains on the Grand Paris Express will typically run at an average speed between 55 and 65 km/h, with a maximum speed of 110 km/h on Line 18. Of course, that 110 km/h figure represents the peak speed. Overall, trains on Line 18 are expected to operate at an average speed of approximately 65 km/h.

Transport: This upcoming Grand Paris Express line will be one of the fastest metros in the world

Calendar

_