Ten Insider Tips for Paris Metro & Buses
1. Weekly passes go from Monday to Sunday.
2. Buy a weekly Carte d’Orange for zones 1-2 for 16.30 euros instead of Paris Visite Pass. You must have a passport size photo, so take the time to get one in the photo booth at most stations. Ask the window attendant for Carte Orange and they will give you a plastic case for card & photo.
3. Click this link for itinerary locator for fastest route on the metro & bus.
4. If spending a few days here, buy a carnet/ten pack of tickets for 11.10 euros, good on metro and buses. They don’t expire, so you can always use them.
5. . Children under 3 ride free. Children 3-11 ride at reduced fares with single fares or carnet/10 packs.
6. The new white single ticket for 1.50 euro is good for unlimited use for 90 minutes on the metro and buses.
7. The metro runs from 5:30AM till 12:40AM, Sunday to Friday,
Saturdays from 5:30AM till 1:40AM. Some buses run all night.Click here to check bus schedules.
8. Always keep your single metro ticket until you exit the station. If you get caught without your ticket they will fine you 35 euros.
9.The automated machines do not accept U.S. credit cards., and accept only coins. The service windows accept regular credit cards.
10. You can use Zone 1-2 tickets on RER stops within city limits.
Officiall RATP site for all metro & bus information: http://www.ratp.info/index.php
Bonjour Richard, great list for the new comer. Just a little correction, if I may, the new tickets dispenser machines accept bill of 5,10 and 20 Euors as well as coins. I really like reading you, you are my morning Paris fix!
Posted by: Luckyluc | July 26, 2007 at 05:08 PM
RIchard and I were talking the other day, what is the story with the metro pass that they deduct from your bank account and you slide over the turnstyle? How does it work and how much does it cost and why is it better than the monthly metro ticket? xxxDIane
Posted by: DPDP | August 01, 2007 at 07:34 AM