Paris metro and other Paris, France Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Since Paris is such a compact city (roughly 6 miles across), much of it can be covered on foot — especially the primary sightseeing spots in the city's center. There will be times, however, when a métro or bus ride is unavoidable — and even welcome
A word of caution: though a single-fare ticket is valid for an entire continuous trip — including connections — be sure to keep your ticket until you leave the system at your destination; being caught without it means an instant fine of €35, payable in cash on the spot (unless you wish to acquaint yourself intimately with the French judicial system).
Signage in Paris métro stations is abundant and easily followed: every station offers a big plan of the network outside the entrance and several inside. Lines are color-coded and numbered, and are also named according to the city gate — or porte — at the end of the line. For example, Line 4 running to the north will be indicated as going in the direction of Porte de Clignancourt, while southbound would be Porte d'Orléans. (Some lines may end a few stops beyond the Periphérique, into neighboring suburbs.) Numerous interchanges (correspondances) make it possible to travel throughout the city in a more or less straight line. Châtelet has the longest interconnecting passageway between lines, with a 600-foot long moving sidewalk.

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Website: http://www.ratp.fr

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: With only one line, the T3 tram, running within Paris city limits, coverage is still limited and concerns mainly south Paris, but the Paris tramway is expected to grow in the coming years.

You can ride the Paris tramway using regular metro tickets and passes.

For itineraries on the Paris tramway, consult the RATP itinerary-finder page.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Double-decker buses of L'OpenTour and Les Cars Rouges follow set routes with stops at leading museums and tourist attractions. For a fixed price, you can step off a bus, explore an attraction or neighborhood at your leisure, and catch another bus when you're ready to move on. As a bonus, you can put on headphones and listen to a running commentary between stops.

The green-and-yellow buses of L'OpenTour cover four sightseeing routes: "Paris Grand Tour," "Bastille-Bercy," "Montmartre-Grands Boulevards," and "Montparnasse-Saint Germain." A single pass gives you access to all four routes. In 2005, a one-day adult pass will cost you €24, and a two-day pass is only three euros more at €27. Children from 4 to 11 pay €12 for one or two days of travel. (You can book ahead through Viator if you wish, but it's just as easy to buy a pass on the bus or at one of L'OpenTour's sales outlets in Paris.)

The red-and-white buses of Les Cars Rouges cover only one route, which stops at nine locations in the city center. 2005 prices are €22 for a two-day adult pass and €11 for children between 4 and 12. You can buy your pass on the bus.

Language note: L'OpenTour's commentaries are in French and English; Les Cars Rouges has narrations in eight languages: French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese Russian and Chinese.

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