Public transportation, Metro, Buses, Trains, and Boats: Getting around Like a Parisian

The system of subways, buses, trains and boats offers an endlessly interesting way to get around.

The Metropolitain, or metro is one of the oldest subway systems in the world and easily one of the most efficient, that is unless there is a strike. Then it's hard to imagine a bigger mess, but the Parisians take it very much in stride.

Cars run from 5:30 in the morning to around 40 minutes past midnight. During rush hours cars run about five minutes apart.

There are 14 lines and over 320 stations. You are never more than 500 meters from a metro station in Paris. Each station has maps on the walls showing the entire system.

Some of the busier stations have large wall maps near the ticket counters, or guichets (say "ghee-shay") with a keyboard array. When you push the button of your destination and hold it down the map lights up showing you the route. It's very neat.

Within the subway cars above the doors are a linear listing of the stops on that line so you know when your stop is coming up.

Where lines cross each other you can transfer to another line. Transfer points are known as "Correspondance" and are pointed out by orange indicator signs from the platform or quai (say "kay") then by the number and name of the corresponding line in blue signs.

Lines are numbered 1-14, and are also named by the last station on each route. This helps you determine the direction that you want to go.

On the walls of the subway tunnels before you get to the platforms, there are signs posted listing the stations accessed by that platform.

It may sound rather complicated and can be at times daunting. but there are plenty of indicators, signs and maps, common to all stations.

Taking the time to explore one good sized metro station will take the mystery out of them all.

But still many of the stations are worth visiting for own their style and uniqueness

For example the Louvre-Rivoli station is done in marble and gives a little taste of the museum above.

TheCluny-Sorbonne that has ceramic replicas of the signatures of famous writers, scientists and artists.

In the station at Concorde the French Constitution is written out in the tiles on the walls and ceilings.

The station at Abbesses, the deepest of the metro stations is serviced by an elevator with a forty person capacity and if you feel like climbing there is a mural the entire length of the stair that winds to street level.

The station at Arts and Metiers is designed in copper with porthole windows giving the impression that you are in a Jules Verne submarine.

It is really very simple once you "get it" but that of course can be said about most things in life.

If you'd like to beat the learning curve on this one and get a guided tour of the metro system you should consider our 2 hour orientation tour. We will take the mystery out of the metro system for you, get you set up with tickets and maps and take you on an excursion to Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris.

From here you get some wonderful views of the City which help you get your bearings and understand the basic geography of Paris.

We will also help you with any other issues that you may have, answer what questions we can and depending on your interests, help you plan an itinerary for your explorations.
If you'd like to learn more, just click on this link.

The RER is a network of suburban trains that pass through the center of Paris and connect with the metro at various places. These trains don’t run as frequently as the metro but they go farther between stops making a trip across town much easier in many cases than the metro.

When using the RER hold onto that ticket. You will need it to exit the station.

As a rule you should always hold onto your tickets when using the Metro, Bus or RER. Teams of green jacket clad employees of the transportation system randomly travel from place to place and set up check points.

If you are without a ticket you will be fined on the spot. they are very accomodating in that they carry scanners so they can accept credit cards.

They take checks, cash and credit. The one thing they do not accept is excuses.

Back on street level the system of buses is vast and can make for a great way of seeing the city. They run about every ten minutes from 7am to 8: 30pm Monday through Saturday. Sunday’s and holidays bus schedules are cut back drastically.

Within the 20 Arrondissements of Paris the same ticket is good for Metro, RER and Bus. There are no transfers on the buses, or RER, so each bus or RER ride takes a ticket.

A ticket cost 1.10 Euro and a pack of ten (or carnet) cost 9.50 Euro. There are visitor cards for one, three, or five days.

The best deal by far though is the Carte Orange. These can be purchased for the week or for the month and give you unlimited, hassle free travel on the entire system of Metro, RER and Buses within Paris. It is what most commuting Parisians use.

There are a few things to remember though about the Carte Orange.

The weekly Carte Orange is valid from Monday to Sunday and costs 15.40 euro. You need to get the free wallet that comes with it, put your picture in it and put the number of your coupon on the ID card. Then you are set to go. It’s a good deal, It really is.

Teams of Metro employees roam the tunnels setting up impromtu check points to see that everyone has a ticket or that their pass is in the proper order.

If you are found without a ticket you will be fined on the spot 25 Euro. They carry credit card readers, will take checks and also cash. What they won't take is excuses.

BatobusFrom April to September there is also the Seine River shuttle known as the Batobus.

You can purchase a 1 day pass for 11 euro, a 2 day pass for 13 or 5 day pass for 16.

It has 8 stops, travels upstream along the Left Bank and downstream along the Right Bank.

Therefore, in order the stops are: The Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, Saint Germain des Pres, Notre Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Hotel de Ville, Musee du Louvre and the Champs Elysees.

It really is a nice way to see the city from a perspective that most people miss. I highly recommend it at least for a day.

Les Cars Rouges Another fine way to get around town to many of the major sites are the double-decker red buses.

They have 9 stops and sell 2 day passes for 22 euro. You can get on and off as you please at the designated stops.Tickets can be purchased onboard the bus.

Seine River Cruises There are a number of companies that offer Seine River Cruises. Some offer dinner and cruise, others simple cruises.

One company that offers both is Bateaux Parisiens. They are located on the quai across the street from the Eiffel Tower. A simple tour is 9.50 euro with discounts for children.

Return to Top