| Métro tips and advice posted by real travelers and Paris locals. • 465 Photos
• 522 Reviews
See all Paris Transportation |
 | Paris Métro Reviews | 1 - 10 of 522 |  |
 Paris Metro Entrance by Beausoleil
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 11.40 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 1.60 euros.)
PRICES: (of various Metro Passes)
Paris Viste Pass - you need a pass for each person in your group (no photo needed)
Cost is 8.80 euros for zones 1-3 (all you will probably need) for one day
18.50 euros for zones 1-6 for one day
14.40 euros for zones 1-3 for two days (only consecutive days)
28.30 euros for zones 1-6 for two days (only consecutive days)
19.60 euros for zones 1-3 for three days (only consecutive days)
39.70 euros for zones 1-6 for three days (only consecutive days)
28.30 euros for zones 1-3 for five days (only consecutive days)
48.40 euros for zones 1-6 for five days (only consecutive days)
Carte Orange - you need a pass for each person and a passport-size photo
This pass may only be used for one week consecutively from Monday to Sunday. If your trip is midweek to midweek, you will need to purchase another set of passes on Monday. (Carte Orange was replaced by the Navigo Pass July 2007)
16.80 euros each for zones 1-2 (plus cost of photo)
22.30 euros each for zones 1-3 (plus cost of photo)
27.50 euros each for zones 1-4 (plus cost of photo)
33.00 euros each for zones 1-5 (plus cost of photo)
37.20 euros each for zones 1-6 (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.
5.80 euros for zones 1-2 (probably all you will need)
7.70 euros for zones 1-3
9.60 euros for zones 1-4
12.90 euros for zones 1-5
16.40 euros for zones 1-6
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 Leave a Comment Theme: Subway/MetroWebsite: http://www.ratp.fr Other Contact: http://www.ratp.info/informer/an
|
 | |  |
Visiting Paris?
Read reviews about Paris Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
This tip is intended for first time visitors to Paris, as simple advice on using the Métro. If you’re a seasoned Métro traveller, skip it!
- First step – get yourself a free map of Paris, it also will have the Métro map on it. But you scarcely need your own map, they are displayed in most stations.
- Each line has its own number and colour coding, eg line 12 is green, line 5 orange.
- Not surprisingly, there are two ends to a line and these are displayed on notice boards (see photo 2), so for line 5 the ends are Bobigny and Place d’Italie. Each line has a separate platform for each direction: so look at the map, find the direction to the station you want from where you are, then head for the platform identified by the line end in that direction, eg go to 5 Bobigny if you wish to go from Bastille to Oberkampf.
- On the train, there is a strip map showing the sequence of stations on that line for that train, so check that you are headed the right way after you get on.
- A nice feature of the Métro is that, in general, you could travel all day on one ticket – provided you don’t exit through the gate labelled “Sortie”, so making a mistake can be easily corrected.
- Unless there is some dire urgency, don’t fret about missing a train, they run at a frequency of four to five minutes.
- It’s worth noting that the Métro does tend to become hot and stuffy.
- It can become crowded, so be very careful of pickpockets: apart from that (and exercising some caution late at night), as a general statement it is very safe.
- It may seem strange to mention how to open carriage doors, but you need to know that they are electronically held shut until the train is almost stopped. At that stage, for the older carriages, lift upward on the handle and the door should fly open: later carriages have push button opening.
|
| | |
 Metro & RER Tickets
machine. by breughel
I know from experience that one can buy at the machine the normal ticket t+, the carnet de 10 tickets t+ and the Billet Ile-de-France for travelling by Metro + RER outside the centre (see my tip).
From the photo you might see that the choice of the type of ticket is made by rolling a cylinder below the screen until what you need.
Payment on most machines is by € coins or bank card. Some machines, but not all, accept also bank notes. So take your precautions and have enough coins if you want for example to buy a carnet of 10 tickets at 11,40 €.
If I remember well most explanations were in French but I paid no attention to this point as it is my usual language.
The PARISVISITE pass can also be bought at the automatic machines in all Metro, RER, Railway SNCF stations according to the answer I got from the RATP (btw prompt service).
"Merci de votre visite sur le site de la RATP.
Paris Visite est en vente dans toutes les stations de métro (guichet et machines automatiques), toutes les gares RER, les points de vente bus, les gares SNCF, les aéroports de Paris, et les bureaux de l'Office de Tourisme de Paris."
So, bon voyage.
|
| | |
 The recent "Ticket t+"
and "Billet
Ile-de-France" by breughel
"With effect from 1st July 2007, the present mauve-coloured t ticket will give way to the new white-coloured t+ ticket. (In 2008 the former mauve tickets are still valid).
The t+ ticket enables the customer to travel on:
the whole of the metro and the Montmartre funicular
the RER (RATP and SNCF) within Paris
the RATP buses in Paris and the suburbs (except for lines with special fares)
and to make connections on the whole of the metro and the RER in Paris as the t ticket did and use the Noctilien network (of night buses) without connections, in accordance with the specific fare system on the Noctilien network
The t+ ticket brings in a more extensive service with a new functionality:
the possibility of making bus/bus and bus/tram connections.
"connection" means transferring from one bus line to another.
How do you use it ?
After validating it every time you board a bus or tram, you have an hour and a half between the first validation and the last validation to make one or more connections.
The t+ ticket is sold singly (full fare) or in a carnet (full or reduced fare).
Be careful ! Aboard buses the drivers have a different ticket they sell which does not allow connections.
Airports
Travelling to and from the airports requires special tickets."
On 1/07/2008 the price of this t+ ticket has been increased to 1,60 € and the carnet of 10 tickets became 11,40 €.
The "carnet de 10" is very often used by visitors of Paris but note that the selling desks in the Metro stations are not always open (even often closed) so prepare yourself to buy them at the machine by having enough € coins with you. Rather few machines accept bank notes.
I noted that the former tickets with extended zones 4 - 6 do not exist anymore (except for travel subscriptions "abonnements" ) but are replaced by a Billet Ile-de-France which calculates the price from inside Paris to a specific destination outside (for example Versailles).
See my tip about this billet IDF.
|
| | |
 Carnet of Metro Tickets by Lady_Mystique
~ If the turnstile makes a whining sound and a little red circle lights up, your ticket is not valid; take it back and try another.
When you have the right light, push through the gate and retrieve your ticket.
Hold onto your ticket until you exit the métro, and pass the point marked 'Limite de Validité des Billets'; a uniformed RATP 'contrôleur' (inspector) may request to see it on any train.
If caught without one, you must pay a hefty fine.
~ Also, any 'correspondances' (transfers) to the RER require you to put your validated (and uncrumpled) ticket into a turnstile. Otherwise you might need to buy a new ticket in order to exit.
LATE AT NIGHT:
~ Do not count on buying a métro ticket home late at night.
Some ticket windows close as early as 10 p.m., and many close before the last train is due to arrive.
~ Always have one ticket more than you need, although large stations have ticket machines that accept coins.
~ Avoid the most dangerous stations (Barbès-Rochechouart, Pigalle, Anvers, Châtelet-Les-Halles, Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est).
~ Despite the good neighborhoods in which some of these stops are located, they are frequented by criminals looking to prey on tourists.
When in doubt, take a taxi. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting Paris?
Read reviews about Paris Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The Métro is Paris's world-famous, marvelously efficient, fast, clean, quiet, economical, state-of-the-art rapid transit system that tourists all love because it's easy to use and you can get from anywhere to anywhere in Paris without getting lost or making a fool of yourself.
It's so wonderful that I even use it myself occasionally, for instance going to and from the railroad station with my luggage (unless I'm staying somewhere within walking distance), or on my way to Châtelet-Les Halles to pick up my rental bike.
Aside from these exceptions, though, there are good reasons not to use the Métro on a daily or hourly basis:
1. It's unhealthy, because you just stand or sit there. Get a bicycle instead and get some exercise. (Please have a look at my General Tips for lots of information on cycling in Paris.)
2. You can't see much, because the trains run underground most of the time, so if you can't cycle you should at least take a bus. This will cost a bit more and take somewhat longer, but at least you'll see more of Paris, and with the new bus lanes the buses no longer get stuck in endless traffic jams like they used to.
3. If there are any kind of germs or viruses going around, you're bound to catch them if you ride around in trains full of sick people. To stay healthy, cycle around in the fresh air instead.
4. On the Métro you're in danger of getting pickpocketed, especially if you look like a tourist.
5. During the rush hours the trains can get so full (especially the regional RERs) that you might not even be able to squeeze your way on, much less find a seat.
6. This last reason is more a matter of principle, not a practical consideration, but if you take the Métro you are in effect surrendering to the automobile lobbies and letting yourself be banished underground like a rat or a mole, while motor vehicles spread out and monopolize the surface of the planet. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Barriers at entry to
Métro by tiabunna
- You may be saying ‘what has that to do with me’? The reality is that getting a heavy full suitcase through the turnstiles and barricades, at the same time as you also try to get through, is quite difficult. If you are travelling with luggage, I would suggest you consider taking a taxi to or from (eg) the pickup point for the Roissybus, rather than struggling on the Métro.
- Another relevant factor is that most stations do not have escalators and, when I left, even those at the major station “Haussman St-Lazare” were inoperative. That luggage becomes heavy!
|
| | |
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.
|
| | |
 Ce qui, JE souci ? by davequ
Choice was Paris Visite or carte Orange.
I chose Carte Orange as imo it's cheaper & I don't think the few sites Paris Visite gives you are worth the xtra euros.
I ended up buying Carte Musee for all the many museums & monuments Paris Visite does not cover so Carte Orange worked better for me.
All you need to do is either goto a Kinkos / whatever & get a passport foto before you go, or it's even cheaper to just hit a foto booth at the CDG airport RER term or Gard du Nord.
For zones 1 & 2 (most of Paris) it's dirt cheap:
One full week (HEBDO) is only 16,30 euros, costing significantly less than 2 carnets. After 7 days, you stop at any metro booth and they renew it for another week @ same price & it takes only seconds for them to refresh it.
Paris Visite is 31,50 ($50) for only 5 days to zones 1-3
:P pppttt...
If anyone tells you only French can buy / use Carte Orange, it's bs.
Here's the website where you can compare:
Scroll down to Ticketing
Just my opinion, but to pay the extra for all 5 zones for Carte Orange so you can use it for RER to Versailles or CDG airport imho may not be worth it, but if you wanna' spring the 31 euros for it, what the hell.
And lastly, I tried this just to see what it was like:
I don't recommend EVER taking RER in the morning from CDG airport to central Paris on your arrival day to save money.
It is not fun: It's crowded, painfully long & slow, you have to put your bag(s) on overhead rack to free up seats on the crowded train, then pray they don't get copped by a thief right before the door shuts at some of the northern Paris suburb stops.
Too stressfull, too tiring after a long flight, too uncomfortable - cucaracha.
Spring / splurge 50 Euros for a cab. Trust me on this one.
(I knew this and probably so did you, but like a bullethead I had to prove it to myself). Barff!! Leave a Comment
|
| | |
This is one of the main tourist gateways for Montmartre. Sadly, on this visit, it was looking very run-down (photo 2): but there is an active programme of Métro station refurbishment, so let’s hope it soon receives a makeover. The main point of this tip though, is to point out that, unlike most Métro stations which are only at a shallow depth, Abesses has been tunneled under a hill. Don’t catch yourself out, as we were on our first visit, by climbing the stairs instead of waiting for the very large lift, it’s a long climb up!
Once you arrive at street level, spare a moment to admire the original Art Nouveau style entrance by Henri Guinard, apparently one of the most original remaining (photo 3).
|
More Paris Tips Overview
| Hotels and Accommodations
Tips: 2,053 - Photos: 1,652 | Things To Do
Tips: 10,145 - Photos: 17,346 | Nightlife
Tips: 873 - Photos: 806 | Transportation
Tips: 1,633 - Photos: 1,378 | Restaurants
Tips: 2,625 - Photos: 2,535 | Shopping
Tips: 827 - Photos: 938 | Off the Beaten Path
Tips: 1,801 - Photos: 2,714 | Tourist Traps
Tips: 502 - Photos: 330 | Warnings or Dangers
Tips: 812 - Photos: 408 | Local Customs
Tips: 833 - Photos: 736 | Packing Lists
Tips: 274 - Photos: 157 | Sports Travel
Tips: 110 - Photos: 130 | General Tips
Tips: 2,457 - Photos: 2,445 | Flights
Tips: 110 - Photos: 0 |
 |
|
- PV-Holidays Adagio City Aparthotel Montmartre Paris
10 Place Charles Dullin, Paris - La Villa Maillot
143 avenue de Malakoff, Paris - Pullman Rive Gauche Paris
8 - 12, rue Louis Armand formerly Sofitel Paris Porte de Sèvres, Paris - Les Jardins du Trocadero Hotel
35 rue Benjamin Franklin, Paris - Floride Etoile
14, rue Saint Didier 16th Arr., Paris - Hotel Relais Christine
3 Rue Christine, Paris - Louvre Richelieu Hotel Paris
51 Rue de Richelieu 1st Arr., Paris - Hotel Paris Plaza Mirabeau
10 Avenue Emile Zola, Paris - Hotel Du Parc Saint Charles
243 rue Saint Charles, Paris - Gilden Magenta Hotel Paris
35 rue Yves Toudic 10 Arr., Paris - Hotel de Londres Eiffel
1 Rue Augereau, Paris - Best Western Hotel De Weha
205 Avenue De Choisy 13th Arr., Paris - Radisson Blu Hotel Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris
Rue de La Chapelle, Paris - Residence Richemont
17 Rue Jean Colly, Paris - Hotel du Parc
6, Rue Jolivet, Paris
|
