mandalay

We are a group of 4 visiting Paris in January 2015 for 3 days.

Any recommendations as to how best see all the major sights of Paris in 2 days.

Is hop on hop off bus value for money? We are staying in the 5th district.

Recommendations to just walk or use public transport to all major attractions.
We do know that January the weather will be against us.

Any advice will be helpful

Thanks!

Kathie

Start by recognizing that you won't see all of the major sights in two days. Choose which ones are most important you and visit those. The hop on hop off bus will just show you the outside of a number of famous places.

We walked a lot in Paris (over 10 miles on a few days), but much appreciated the Metro for getting us long distances quickly.

nytraveler

Agree that in such limited time you will be able to see perhaps 5 or 6 sights - and that will depend in part on what days of the week you are there. I would NOT do the HoHo bus - since they are very expensive and only show you outsides of things - much better to pick what is important to you and just go there than see outsides of buildings you have no interest in.

latedaytraveler

MANDALAY, I would definitely recommend a cruise on the Seine after dark on the Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf or similar.

"After dark" comes early in January. Boats are enclosed and heated. Great to see "the City of Light" from the river.

adrienne

Make a list of what you want to see. Get a good map of Paris and mark your destinations. Then visit the sights by geographic area so you don't spend too much time getting from one place to another. Note the days the sights are closed and opening hours.

You can pre-book tickets for many museums from their web sites so you don't stand on line waiting to buy tickets.

I don't think that the HOHO bus would be a good value.

anyegr

The HOHO bus can be fun, but it is really expensive and a bit slow. In January it's probably going to be too cold to sit on the upper deck and sitting inside at ground level is no better than an ordinary bus.

It would be much cheaper to buy two or three carnets. Those are packs of ten metro/bus tickets and can be split up between all four of you. Take the bus or metro for longer distances and then walk around a lot.

What exactly do you mean by "all the major sights" anyway? The Eiffel Tower? The Louvre? Notre Dame?

There isn't going to be much daylight in January. Plan your days so all outside daylight-needing sightseeing gets done when there is actual daylight. Do museums or other indoor things the rest of the time.

Robert2533

If you where staying in the 7th, you would be closer to most of the major sites, but most are walkable from the 5th, depending on where in the 5th you are staying.

As noted, it will probably be on the chilly side in January, but the last time we where there after New Years is was bright and balmy. So much for predicing the weather. So bundle up (if needed) and enjoy the city. We always enjoy Paris in January.

Gretchen

Rather than after dark for the Seine ride, think about just as it is beginning to get dark (which will be early in your time of year). You get to see the lights just coming on with some light and by the time you get to the Eiffel Tower it is twinkling with lights.
I don't think the HOHO bus would be a bad investment of time and money. There are 3 routes, each taking about an hour and you would see the major sites, admittedly from the outside, but would get an idea of the layout. And you would get at least a look at Montmartre, which in a two day scenario on your own, I don't think you would.

Sassafrass

The HOHO bus in Paris was pretty boring, just driving around in traffic getting only a quick peak at the outside of buildings. Better, IMHO, to pick out something really interesting to visit and experience.

Micheline

We did not enjoy the HOHO bus in Paris. Too much waiting. i do think you should do the Seine cruise with Les Vedettes de Paris. Go to Les Papilles for a long lunch. .http://www.lespapillesparis.fr/EN_index.html

TDudette

We did use the HOHO bus and found a huge backup at Notre Dame. We waited too long for a bus that was filled up so we just walked. In January, that probably wouldn't be a problem but if you really want to take a tour, google Viator to see what they have.

PatrickLondon

Using public transport in Paris:
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/
http://goparis.about.com/od/transpor..._and_Buses.htm
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/

Christina

I enjoyed the HOHO bus somewhat because I like driving around look at views from the top in cities. It isn't the greatest as a means of transportation, I didn't do it for that reason. I never had a huge backup anywhere I got on, but that wasn't Notre Dame where many people are.

I wouldn't do it in winter as I wouldn't want to sit on top in the cold. SO there isn't much use to it then.