Paris Transportation Tips by Beausoleil

How do I figure out the Metro? Métro Review

Update: March 2013
If you don't have a Metro map current as of February or March 2013, you need to get a new map. All the maps in guidebooks are now incorrect because they have extended four of the Metro lines. After you read the following directions, you will know you need the name of the last station on the line to find the train. The last station has changed for four lines. You can downloat a new Metro map at: Paris Metro Map and click on download the guide.

Original Tip:
Don't be shy about using the subway (Metro) in Paris. It is incredibly easy to navigate. If I can do it; anyone can do it. They have set it up so you can go anyplace and not get lost.

Get a free Metro map at any ticket window. They are usually sitting on a shelf and you don't even have to ask. That said, I much prefer my map booklet "Paris Pratique par Arrondissement" that has each district (arrondissement) of Paris on a separate page with the Metro stops marked. There is a full Metro map at the beginning of the book so you can put it all together. Buy at a news stand, tabac or bookstore.

You know the Metro station where you are. You know which Metro station you want. The other information you need is the name of the station at the end of the line in the direction you want to go. Example: You are Jussieu Metro station in the Latin Quarter and you want to visit the Louvre. You look at your map and find Jussieu and notice lines #10 and #7 go through there. You want to go to the Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre stop and that is line #7 (pink on most maps). Follow line #7 to the end and you will see the last stop is La Courneuve. That is your magic key.

Go into the Metro and follow signs pointing to La Courneuve until you get to the tracks. The rest is easy. When the train arrives, hop on and relax. The line is on a map above the doors so you can watch where you are and see where you are going. Each station is very well marked so you can tick them off in your mind. Make a note of the station right before your Louvre station and start to get ready to get off. (Pont Neuf is right before Louvre). When you see the signs for Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre, get off and follow exit signs (and all the other people) to the Louvre. You can go into the museum right from the station and skip most of the lines!

It gets more complicated if you have to change trains, but as long as you remember to look for the last station on your line, you are okay. Change (Correspondence) example: Let's say you are at La Tour Maubourg station and you want to go to the Louvre. You will take line #8 (the only one available at Maubourg) and go in the direction of Creteil-Prefecture but will get off at the Concorde station to change trains. (That is the 2nd stop for you) You stay underground and simply follow signs to Chateau de Vincennes (line #1) to get to your next train. You will go up and down stairs and have lots of company but every time there is a turn or stair, you will see signs. Keep following Chateau de Vincennes until you come to the train tracks. Wait for your train, get on and go to the Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre stop (the stop before is Tuileries) and get off and you are at the Louvre.

As long as you know the last station in the direction you are going, you can't get lost. If you go the wrong direction, simply get off at the next station and follow signs to that last station again and you'll be fine.

You may want to download an Interactive Metro map at the website below. Print it out and practice a few trips before you go. You will be addicted to the fast, easy train system in Paris.

Here is a web site for trip planning that is in English. Interactive Paris Metro Map in English They have "improved" this web site and it's only about half in English and not nearly as easy to use as it used to be. If you just keep searching on the Metro web offerings, you eventually work it out. The Metro is easy to use; the web site is not.

Keep in mind there are often several ways to get from one place to another. You can use your Metro tickets on the Metro, RER within the Peripherique, trams, buses and the Montmartre funicular. We buy a carnet of 10 Metro tickets for 13.30 euros and share the tickets.

Enjoy Paris.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Subway/Metro

Website: http://www.ratp.fr

Want to take a cruise in Paris? Seine Review

There are a lot of different boat trips on the Seine and on the canals in Paris. You will surely find one to suit your budget. I've listed several below. They all have slightly different offerings and wildly different budgets. Check them all to find one to suit your needs.

When you get to the web site, if it's not in your language, search for the flag of your country and click on it. If you want English, click on the British flag.

Here are the web sites:
Bateaux Parisiens
Vedettes du Pont Neuf
Bateaux Mouches
Vedettes de Paris (click on the British flag for English)
Canauxrama Canal Tours

We haven't been on any of these although we've seen them cruising the river as we walked by. The one we love is the Batobus. It is a bus on the river. There is no commentary and it's not a cruise. It is a boat trip on the Seine and they do announce the stops so you know what you are seeing. We get a pass and use it for transportation for the day (or two days) just for fun. If you want a budget cruise, Batobus is lots of fun and a substitute for the Metro for a lot of Paris sightseeing. Here is the web site: http://www.batobus.com/

I have a separate Tip on the Batobus at: There Is a Boat Bus in Paris by Beausoleil

Mode: AROUND

Other Contact: See text for other web sites

Type: Ship/Boat

Website: http://www.bateauxmouches.com/

Trying to decide how to get to/from the airport? From the Airports to Paris Review

Trying to decide if you want a taxi, shuttle or train into Paris from the airport? I posted this on the Forum and it may help you consider. Someone asked if there was a problem booking a taxi. Normally we take the RER train into Paris and back out to the airport. If we have a very early flight and the trains are not running, we book a shared shuttle and have never had a problem. When we travel with our daughters, we book a limo since the four of us can share the cost. Once, I hurt my foot and we used a taxi. All of these serve the purpose. You will want to consider cost (your budget), convenience (luggage, children, handicaps) and time.

You can book with other people in a van for 8 people with luggage which is what we have done a few times for very early flights. You can also book a shuttle just for yourselves (a private shuttle) and that will cost more but probably not as much as a taxi.

Here is the web site for the shuttle we use and we share with other people so it's not a private shuttle. They do offer the private service. Paris Blue Shuttle Web Site

Here is a web site for a limousine service we have used twice. It is quite reasonable. FIrst Way Limousine Service

Here is a site that will give you the cost of a taxi. World Taxi Meter Web Site

And finally, here is the RER train web site, our preferred mode of travel. Paris Metro Official Web Site

Hope this helps and that you enjoy your day in Paris.

Mode: TO

Other Contact: http://www.paris-blue-airport-sh

Phone: +33 (0)1 4863-7437

Type: Other

Website: http://www.worldtaximeter.com

Paris Blue Shuttle From the Airports to Paris Review

We occasionally have to deal with a very early morning flight out of Paris and the Metro is not available that early. Once our hotel booked a shuttle service for us. We loved it and have used it for those early morning flights ever since. The drivers have always spoken English and they have always arrived on schedule. We have always made the flight with no drama and it's much cheaper and easier than a taxi. Paris Blue Shuttle Web Site

Unless you are willing to pay extra, you will share the shuttle so be prepared to be picked up a little early if you are first on their list and be prepared to drive around Paris a little getting the other passengers. We look at it as a little extra tour before leaving and enjoy the ride. Occasionally we are the only passengers that early so we get a private van without paying extra. Of course then you drive straight to the airport and miss the little extra tour. LOL

The hard part is leaving Paris . . .

Mode: TO

Type: Other

Website: http://www.paris-blue-airport-shuttle.fr/prices_en.php

How about that Paris Viste Pass? Métro Review

There is some misconception about the Paris Viste Pass. It is a pass for transportation; it is not a museum pass. It will not get you past any lines in the Louvre nor get you into any museum free (unless the museum is free already). There will be a small booklet of coupons included with the pass and these offer discounts to several attractions. This varies year to year but as an example for 2012 the discounts were as follows:

20% off admission to the Arc de Triomphe, 4 euros off Espace Dali, 20% off admission to the Pantheon, 2.50 euros off admission to Musee Branly, 20% off Musée de la Armée-Hotel National des Invalides, 2 euros off the Air and Space Museum, 20% off the Pantheon, 25% off guided cruise on Bateaux Parisiens, 4 euros off Open Tour Bus, 2 euros off Fontainebleau Castle, 20% off Vincennes Castle, 20% off a one-day/two-park ticket to Disneyland Paris, 30% off France Miniature, 30% off Musee Grevin Wax Museum, 2 euros off Cite des Sciences, 4.40 euros off UNESCO World Heritage Center in Provins, 30% off the Montparnasse Tower, 10% off a purchase at Galeries Lafayette plus a shopping bag and 20 euros off Champagne Show at Paradis Latin (club).

We aren't interested in any of the above so these discounts are meaningless to us. If they interest you, consider the Paris Viste Pass. Keep in mind that like all passes, you must buy one for each member of your party and it must be used on consecutive days. Following are the prices for the various Paris Viste options, updated January 4, 2013. You can always check prices at Paris Metro Web Site for Tourists

Paris Viste Pass - you need a pass for each person in your group (no photo needed)
10.55 euros for zones 1-3 for one day (age 4-10 will be half price)
22.20 euros for zones 1-5 for one day (age 4-10 will be half price)

17.15 euros for zones 1-3 for two days (only consecutive days)
33.70 euros for zones 1-5 for two days (only consecutive days)

23.40 euros for zones 1-3 for three days (only consecutive days)
47.25 euros for zones 1-5 for three days (only consecutive days)

33.70 euros for zones 1-3 for five days (only consecutive days)
57.75 euros for zones 1-5 for five days (only consecutive days)

Mode: AROUND

Other Contact: http://www.ratp.info/touristes/

Type: Subway/Metro

Website: http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61654/parisvisite/

Staying out near Disneyland Paris? RER (Regional Trains) Review

If you are staying out in the Disney area, you are in Paris transportation zone 5, the farthest and most expensive. There are various passes that include these zones but they are expensive and each person in your party needs their own pass.

Much cheaper is the carnet of 10 tickets. Nearly everyone knows they can get a carnet of regular T-Tickets for use in the inner zones of Paris, but few know you can buy carnets for the outer zones. Here are some prices for comparison for zone 1 to 5: (Prices have gone up but the Paris Metro official web site is not updated yet so add a little to the prices below.)

From central Paris to CDG airport (zone 5)
one ticket is 9.50 euros Adult and 6.50 euros Child
carnet of 10 tickets is 74.00 euros Adult and 52.00 euros Child

From central Paris to Disneyland Paris (zone 5)
one ticket is 7.10 euros Adult and 3.55 euros Child
carnet of 10 tickets is 56.80 euros Adult and 28.40 euros Child

From central Paris to Tournan (zone 5)
one ticket is 6.40 euros Adult and 3.20 euros Child
carnet of 10 tickets is 51.20 euros Adult and 25.60 euros Child

Navigo Découverte Pass zone 1-5 costs 34.40 euros plus 5 euros for the card plus a passport-sized photo for each person (good only Monday through Sunday; then you must buy another pass) If you are there Monday through Sunday, this may be a good choice. (price current January 2013)

Paris Viste Pass zone 1-5 costs 57.75 euros for five days (consecutive days only and each person needs their own pass. (Price current January 2013)

Mobilis Pass zone 1-5 costs 15.65 euros but is only good for one day and each person needs their own pass. (Price current January 2013)

If you combine the zone 1-5 carnet for travel to and from Paris with a regular zone 1-2 carnet (13.30 euros) for travel inside central Paris, you will have all the transportation you need for a very reasonable price; you can share the tickets and they are good on any day . . . including on your next trip to Paris if you have any left over.

Mode: AROUND

Other Contact: http://www.ratp.fr/informer/tari

Type: Train

Website: http://www.ratp.fr/

Metro Passes and Prices Métro Review

Newest update: Prices went up again January 1, 2013; this reflects the higher prices.

When you want to get from one place to another quickly, the Metro can't be beat.

We don't use any of the passes. We buy a carnet of 10 Metro tickets. (Ask for a "carnay") This is a package of 10 individual Metro tickets. It costs 13.30 euros and you can share them. If you get a pass, you each have to get your own pass and that adds up quickly. (One ticket is 1.70 euros so you save 3.70 euros with the carnet.) Kids under 4 ride free. Age 4 to 10 half price.

PRICES: (of various Metro Passes) Updated January 4, 2013

Paris Viste Pass - you need a pass for each person in your group (no photo needed)
Cost is 10.55 euros for zones 1-3 (all you will probably need) for one day
22.20 euros for zones 1-5 for one day (age 4-10 half price)

17.15 euros for zones 1-3 for two days (only consecutive days)
33.70 euros for zones 1-5 for two days (only consecutive days)

23.40 euros for zones 1-3 for three days (only consecutive days)
47.25 euros for zones 1-5 for three days (only consecutive days)

33.70 euros for zones 1-3 for five days (only consecutive days)
57.75 euros for zones 1-5 for five days (only consecutive days)

Carte Orange (Carte Orange was replaced by the Navigo Pass July 2007)

Navigo Découverte is the Navigo Pass for visitors to Paris. You start by paying 5 euros for the pass and then you can put credit on it (somewhat like the Oyster in London but not as flexible). The Navigo is either a one week or one month pass. It is bought for Monday to Sunday and cannot be purchased Friday for that week since the week is nearly over. If you have a split week in Paris, you would have to purchase two full weeks to make use of it. That's why we don't use it; we tend to fly in on Wedneday or Thursdays. You will need a passport-size photo for this pass.

Weekly costs (Mon.-Sunday inclusive) The FIRST time you pay an additional 5 euros for the card.
19.80 euros each for zones 1-2 (plus cost of photo)
25.65 euros each for zones 1-3 (plus cost of photo)
31.05 euros each for zones 1-4 (plus cost of photo)
34.40 euros each for zones 1-5 (plus cost of photo)
Other zone combinations are different costs, i.e. 2-3 is 18.70 euros (plus cost of photo)
Check the RATP web site for these combinations. Not terribly useful for tourists who only need zone 1-2. http://vianavigo.com/fr/titres-et-tarifs/les-forfaits/le-forfait-navigo-semaine/

Monthly costs (full month only) The FIRST time you pay 5 euros for the card.
65.10 euros each for zones 1-2 (plus cost of photo)
84.10 euros each for zones 1-3 (plus cost of photo)
102.30 euros each for zones 1-4 (plus cost of photo)
113.20 euros each for zones 1-5 (plus cost of photo)

Mobilis Pass - this is a one-day pass so you need to get a new one each day (no photo)
If you get this pass, you need one pass for each person in your group.
6.60 euros for zones 1-2 (probably all you will need)
8.80 euros for zones 1-3
10.85 euros for zones 1-4
15.65 euros for zones 1-5

I hope this is all correct but you may wish to check prices at http://www.ratp.fr/
You can search Metro routes in English at http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php

Mode: AROUND

Other Contact: http://www.ratp.fr/

Type: Subway/Metro

Website: http://www.transilien.com/web/site/accueil/guide-du-voyageur/billets-abonnements/carte-orange-hebdomadaire/lang/en

There is a Boat Bus in Paris, the Batobus Seine Review

We love the Batobus. It's a boat bus that plies the river Seine. It stops at eight different Paris tourist sites and gives access to many more. When we stay near the Eiffel Tower, we get our passes there. If we're in the Latin Quarter or St. Germain, we usually get the passes at the Notre Dame stop.

The Batobus stops at The Eiffel Tower, St. Germain des Pres, the Jardin des Plantes, the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre Dame, the Hotel de Ville and the Champs-Elysées. You can hop on and hop off or just take the tour. If you are just going to zip around once, like a boat tour, buy a single ride ticket. If you want the hop-on hop-off capability, get a pass for a day or two. Look for sales as they have them often.

Prices updated January 4, 2013
A one-day pass is 15 euros, 7 euros for children under age 16
A two-day pass is 18 euros, 9 euros for children under age 16
A five-day pass is 21 euros, 10 euros for children under age 16
A full year pass is 60 euros, 38 euros for children under age 16

Students, seniors and other pass holders may take a small discount. If you have another pass, ask if you can get a discount on the Batobus. It never hurts to ask. Also, there are occasional sales and you might get lucky. We have a couple times. Enjoy!

Mode: AROUND

Other Contact: FAX: +33 (0)1 4062-7510

Phone: +33 (0)8 2505-0101

Type: Ship/Boat

Website: http://www.batobus.com

Don't get lost in Paris!

Want to see Paris without the tour group but you're afraid of getting lost? Don't worry; do what the Parisians do. Use a small discreet booklet map. Paris taxi drivers use this map!

I highly recommend the "Paris Pratique Par Arrondissement" which is a dark blue 5 x 7 inch booklet map that has a complete index. An arrondissement is a district so each page is a distinct district of Paris. Each arrondissement is on a separate page (larger districts on two pages) and there is a Metro map, an RER map, bus map and emergency phone numbers for Paris. You can't possibly get lost with this little booklet. It fits into a pocket or purse and is easy to open and view even in close quarters (like the Metro).

You can get the little booklet at most news stands, tabacs, bookstores, FNAC stores or at Amazon.com online. We update at a news stand because there are so many on the street. The last time I checked amazon.com it was $14.15 so I'd recommend waiting and buying it in Paris or getting a used one. Try to get 2009 or later because a couple street names were changed and won't be in, for instance, the 2007 edition. When the trip is over, it's a great souvenir.

Mode: AROUND

Other Contact: http://www.amazon.com

Type: Other

Website: http://livre.fnac.com/a1019764/Collectif-Paris-pratique-par-arrondissement

Car and Driver . . . van or limo if you like From the Airports to Paris Review

First Way is the name of the company.

They offer tours of Paris and tours all over France in addition to confidential mail delivery if you are interested in these things. This is mainly a Tip for airport shuttle service.

We usually take the RER from the airports into town and if our flight arrives or leaves at a very early or late hour, we have taken a shuttle. On our last trip we were renting an apartment and the agent suggested a limo company and I decided to look at their web site. I thought it would be terribly expensive and with just the two of us it would have been. However, our daughters were traveling with us so we could split the cost 4 ways and it suddenly became very affordable so we signed up via e-mail for a van and driver.

Great idea! The driver met us with a huge sign bearing my husband's name; ushered us out to the waiting van; packed our luggage into the van; telephoned the apartment manager to tell her when we would arrive and drove us through Paris to our apartment near the Eiffel Tower.

Nine days later when the girls were going home to work (ha ha ha), the driver picked us up at our apartment, packed us and our luggage into the van and drove us back out to the airport. It was all so easy! (We then picked up our own car and set off on another French adventure but that's many other Tips.)

This company (First Way) is wonderful and very well run. We highly recommend them and any time we are more than 2, we will use them.

Phone: +33 (0)1 4863-7437 (or see the number below)

Mode: TO

Other Contact: contact@firstway.fr

Phone: +33 (0)1 3453-7290

Type: Other

Website: http://www.firstway.fr/location-voiture-avec-chauffeur/voitures-chauffeur/home-us.php