eiffel tower logo Getting Around Paris

Paris has one of the best transportation systems in the world. Taxis are relatively cheap and it is very easy to use the Metro.  You can get a free metro map at any metro station.
Metro lines are color coded as well as numbered.  For example line 1 is Grande Arche de la Defence and  Chateau de Vincennes.  The directions that you will travel will depend greatly on the end names of the lines, in this example Arch de la Defence. Where lines of different colours meet you can switch trains. In most stations, there are also big maps on the wall.metro sign paris

In Paris, the metro normally runs between the hours of 5:20AM – 1:30 AM Sunday to Friday and an additional hour on Saturday nights.

If you are travelling to the suburbs RER is an excellent option. RER lines are alphabetized and there are 4 main lines A B C or D to choose from depending on your destination.

RER normally runs between the hours of 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM.

View an interactive transportation map.

eiffel tower logo To save money when you buy your metro ticket choose “Un Carnet” – a bundle of 10 tickets instead of one.  There is also  Paris Visite Pass which you can purchase online and have it handy as soon as you get to Paris.

Paris Metro Pass gives you access to public transportation such as the metro, buses, and RER.  It is divided into different zones and available for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days.

Another obvious option is the Bus which runs between the hours of 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM.  Keep in mind that the metro is a much faster option.

Paris in an effort to become more ‘green’ has introduced the bicycle system known as Velib. There are stations about every 300 meters where you can get a Velib bike and return it to any other station. The first half an hour is free. The second half an hour is €1. The third half an hour is €2 and as of the 4th half an hour or more is €4/half an hour. Even though the first half an hour is free, you still need a credit card to rent the bike. If you return it within half an hour to any other Velib station you are not charged. Meanwhile, keep in mind that for short term subscriptions Velib will pre-authorize €150 from your account and you will only be charged if you do not return the bike. There are subscriptions available for 1 day or 7 days and 1 year. More information at any valid station. If you are under 14 years old you are not allowed to use the Velib system. Between the age 14-18 you need the permission of an adult to ride the bike. For more information and for updated fares, please visit Velib site.

At busy streets, there are bike taxis as well that will take you to key destinations.

A fun way to get around Paris is to use the Batobus. It is basically an aqua-bus that takes you on the Seine river with 8 stops along the way.

The stops are as follows:

The Eiffel Tower – Port de la Bourdonnais

Musee d’Orsay – Quai de Solférinobatobus paris

St. Germain-des-Prés- At Quai Malaquais

Notre-Dame – Quai de Montebello

Jardain des Plantes – Close to Pont d’Austerlitz

Hotel de Ville ( City Hall) -Close to Pont d’Arcole

The Louvre – Between Pont Royal and Pont du Carrousel

Champs-Elysées – Near Pont Alexandre III

During summer months Batobus has departures every 15-20 minutes.

Bike Taxis in Paris:

At some touristic areas you can will see city cruisers which is basically a covered bike taxis and the driver and take you to certain locations. Price is per person and varies depending on the length of your trip.

Paris ComboPass® Premium provides 2- to 6-day pass packages that include free unlimited use of all the public transport services inside Paris and the inner suburbs (within 3 zones), free access to more than 60 museums and monuments, free Seine river cruise, special discounts and offers for additional Paris attractions, a free Paris street/metro/bus map and also 30 days access to online French lessons are included. Paris ComboPass® Lite version is the perfect fit for very short stay (1 or 2 days). You have the ability to add to both versions one or both of these RER train tickets: Paris to Versailles Round Trip RER train Ticket and Disneyland Round Trip RER train Ticket. Delivery is available to your hotel in Paris, to three convenient Paris pickup locations, or to your home worldwide.