If you plan to explore the city in details then availing the public transportation services of Paris is the best option. Paris is divided into 5 travel zones.
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| Image Source: RATP official website |
Paris is crisscrossed by an extensive network of metro, railways and tram lines alongside the frequent and ample public buses.
There is a ticket available that you can easily purchase from the vending machines installed at the airport. Expect to see a queue in front of the ticket vending machines as most of the passengers who land at the airport purchase the tickets from them. If you find yourself struggling to use the machine, do not worry there are staff on duty who will gladly help you out. This ticket allows you multiple travels to and fro on multiple forms of public transport across Paris (including travel to Disneyland and Versailles) for the stipulated number of days for which you have purchased it. The ticket is available in the option of 1day, 2days, 3days, 5 days (consecutive). This pass allows you to travel anywhere in Paris (zones 1 to 3) or in Paris and the Île-de-France region (all zones, including airport connections, Orlyval, Disneyland Paris and Château de Versailles). Feel free to purchase the one that best suits your travel plans. We had purchased the 3 days one. It cost us 53.50 Euros per head.
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Paris Visite Pass Image
source: Google images |
Metro:
There are 16 lines that operate across Paris. The Métro is the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to get around Paris.
Metros operate every day – including public holidays.
The wait time for the metros tends to vary across the day, with the interval between two metros being only a mere 2 minutes during peak times. While some lines are relatively less crowded, some of them cater to a larger audience, so if you are expecting empty spaces, be ready to be surprised.
Tickets:
Metro tickets cost € 1.90 each, ticket machines are installed at all the metro stations from which you can buy them, however, if you have already purchased the multi-rides ticket then all lines of the metro are included in it.
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| Image source: Paris official Convention and Visitors Bureau |
Things we discovered about the metro:
- 1. Each line is colour coded by a different colour and number.
- 2. There are neon signs at the front of each metro which displays the name of the last station on the route, this helps tourists like us to board the correct train.
- 3. Line directions are indicated by the station at the end of each line, which is shown on signs on the platform and on maps (example: Porte de Clignancourt – Mairie de Montrouge).
- 4. Free metro maps are available at ticket offices in stations. We had procured ours from the Hotel reception. English versions of the maps are available. We would advise you to keep one handy.
- 5. Each station has detailed route maps displayed at the entrance to the platforms, these act as guides to help you decide the platform, we highly recommend that you read them before walking down to the platforms to board the metro.
- 6. Even during late night, the metros are quite lively, so do not worry about taking a late-night metro. We usually boarded the 11 pm ones.
- 7. Some metro stations are junctions where you can exit one line say M4 and board the other line say M10 or an RER.
Initially, you may feel so many lines are difficult to comprehend, but we assure you once you travel on the metro for a day and realize ow well networked and time saving they are, you will love using them for your travel!
RERs:
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| Our transport to the beautiful palace of Versailles |
The RER train network has 5 lines that run across Paris and the Paris region (Ile-de-France). Each line is denoted by a different colour that is shown on RATP and SNCF signs and maps. RER trains operate from around 6am until about 12.45am every day – public holidays included. The operation of the RER is more or less similar to that of the metro, except that you need to put your ticket through the automatic barriers a second time on the way out.
Travel Check: The RERs mostly operate as double-decker train coaches. To enjoy a great view try grabbing on to a seat on the upper floor of the train. The trains do travel underground at times, but overall they are mostly going be traveling above the ground, hence you will get to enjoy the sights quite a bit.
**Visit our Facebook page, youtube channel and Instagram to see more such wonderful photos and videos from our Paris trip.**
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| Image source: Paris official Convention and Visitors Bureau |
Trams:
There are 4 tram lines operating in Paris coded as T1, T2, T3, T4. Their tickets are the same as those used on the metro and the RER in Paris.
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| Image source: Paris official Convention and Visitors Bureau |
Buses:
The bus services operating in Paris is as extensive as the metro network. There are many bus lines almost around 64 bus lines that operate alongside and complementary to the metro network. he sometimes heavy traffic may increase the total travel time via the buses.
The buses operate from Monday to Saturday from around 7am until 8.30pm. Some lines operate in the evening between 8.30pm and 12.30am, in particular those departing from stations or which serve major metro/RER interchanges, as well as the 3 outer PC lines. Almost half of the bus lines operate on Sundays and public holidays. (source: Article: Public Transport in Paris)
The line number and direction are indicated on the front of the bus on a neon display board, above the driver’s compartment, and on the sides of the bus. You will need to wave out your hand from the bus stop indicating the driver to halt the bus. This act reminded us of how we stop buses in Kolkata, India. :)
At all bus stops, there are electronic display signs which indicate the waiting time for the next bus to arrive.
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| Image source: Google images |
We have tried to provide you a journey route map between the important tourist destinations as per our trip itinerary. We hope this will help ease your journey inside Paris.
Simply click on the destination and you will be taken to a google map page showing the journey details.
Journey route maps:
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