Paris, France travel guide

For visitors to Paris there are three usual forms of public transport: the Paris metro, the RER ‘suburban’ train network, and busues. Taxis are also a common alternative.

Your choice will depend on where you are travelling, the convenience and time available, and your budget.

It is worth giving a little thought to these forms of transport before you visit e.g. what Paris metro tickets are available, so that you don’t waste time and money when you are actually in Paris and having to deal with new surroundings.

Taken in turn the forms of public transport in Paris are:

Paris Metro

The Paris Metro is the network of underground stations and trains that cover much of Paris – it is said that you are never more than 500 metres from the nearest metro station when in the centre of the city.

The entrances to the metro are clearly marked with large signs proclaiming ‘Metro’ or ‘M’.

Tickets can be bought at all stations, either from kiosks or from machines. If you are spending a few days in Paris it is very likely that you will want to buy a ‘carnet’ of 10 tickets from the ticket desk. Bought like this the tickets are about 30% cheaper, and avoid the need to queue up each time you travel, and are valid for anyone in your group (ie ten journeys for yourself or five journeys if there are two of you etc)

The Paris Metro is quick, cheap and straightforward to use – there are maps all over the place that enable you to be sure you are travelling on the right line, and you can also ask for a map at the ticket offices. Each line has a number and is also named after the first and last stations on the line. See Paris Metro for more details and to learn of the architectural highlights (many stations have impressive Art Nouveau entrances).

RER

The RER (full name Reseau Express Regional) is the railway network that serves the Paris suburbs and outlying areas and is usually faster than the metro if you are travelling quite a long way across the city. There are many interchange stations where you can easily transfer between the Metro and the RER according to your journey.

Use of the RER is very similar to that of the metro, except the trains are above ground! You might like to avoid using the RER (and the metro) at the same time as commuters if your hotel is outside the centre of the city.

Buses in Paris

Buses are a great way to see the city and a recommended way of travelling around. As with other public transport in Paris rush-hour is best avoided when possible.

Individual tickets can be bought on the bus, or Metro tickets can be used if you have bought a carnet of those.

The buses can be slightly more daunting for visitors to the city at first, because the place where you want to disembark will be less obvious (unlike the Metro where station names are very clear). You might find yourself spending more time looking at the map and trying to work out where you are than enjoying the view from the window!

Maps in the bus stops show which buses travel past that stop, and where they go to. Be sure to check the number on the bus is the same as the one you are waiting for!

Note: each time you get on a Paris metro train (or other public transport in Paris such as the RER or busues) you MUST have a valid stamped ticket. As you board the train you will pass through a barrier where your ticket is stamped, and on buses there is a machine as you get on where your ticket must be inserted and stamped. failure to have a validated ticket will result in a hefty fine if an inspector comes along (as they often do).

Taxis

Taxis in Paris are more or less the same as everywhere else in the world! You can find taxis at taxi-ranks or stop one in the street if the ‘taxi’ sign on the top is lit up.

If your French prononciation is not good you might like to have pen and paper with you, or a guide book that includes your destination, to avoid any possible confusion.

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