ticalinda1969

After reading a few threats I found out that riding on the bus gives a better look at the city of lights, I wanted to ask you fodorists and experienced Paris travelers what it is better to purchase, what is better or easier, cheaper or whatever? I really need your input on this...
I have learned so much through here, I am now addicted to fodors
Merci
Viri

lrock5

We have a Navigo Decouverte.

lrock5

I'm sorry I meant to also say that while the buses give a great view of Paris, we generally take the metro. It is very easy to navigate and gets you pretty quickly to where you need to be. The Navigo works for buses and metro and is good for 10 years. We just charge it up every time we go for around 20 euros and it is good for a week. It was around 20 euro or so to buy the card initially I believe.

Sarastro

Transportation options for Paris are varied and suggestions can be tailored to your specific requirements but you´ll need to provide the day of the week you arrive, how long you will stay, and where it is exactly you want to go.

The Navigo Découverte is one possible solution but it is only valid from Monday to the following Sunday, will cost 19.80€ for central Paris. The blank card will cost 5€ and you will need to provide a 25mm x 30mm (about a square inch) photo of yourself which is attached to the card.

Many visitors find that they really need nothing other than 10, or groups of 10, individual tickets which can be purchased for 13.50€.

ticalinda1969

@ Irock5 thanks for the info

@ Sarastro, thank you! My trip is next month. I arrive on a Saturday, will stay there for the week and will leave on a Sunday and I want to go to see the main attractions...you know, first time in Paris, I want to see the most I can...does the Navigo is to ride only on a bus? Do you know about the "Hop on-Hop off"? Sorry for all the questions and thanks again for your help!
Viri

adrienne

The Navigo works on both the buses and metro, same as metro tickets.

You can buy 10 tickets (carnet) for a slight savings over the single tickets rather than the Navigo.

Depending on what sights you want to see and where your hotel/apartment is located you may be able to walk to many sights and may only need to buy a carnet or two or a carnet and some individual tickets. I find that a carnet is more than I need for a week.

I'm not a fan of HOHO buses as you only see things from the outside and are subject to waiting times for people to join the bus and traffic jams. You can take city buses for a big savings over the HOHO.

I think you'll find that you'll be walking a lot as that's the way to see a city. The main Paris sights are fairly centrally located - take a look at a map and mark those places you want to see and you'll find that walking is the way to go. You miss a lot if you depend on seeing the city from the bus.

adrienne

I'm not sure if it's clear to you that the Navigo is a metro pass.

yestravel

Paris is a wonderful city to walk in and you may find that you don't ride the bus or take the metro that often especially if you are staying close in. Where are you staying?
The Navigo is good for both the bus and metro and you pay the flat fee of 19.80€ (plus the 5€ to get the card itself). The Navigo is for unlimited usage for the week beginning on Monday to the following Sunday. You can ave and use the Navigo card for future trips.
You can buy a carnet (10 tickets) of metro/ bus tickets for 13.30€. We were just in Paris for 18 days and I considered buying a Navigo card which we could have used for 2 weeks at a cost of 39.60€ plus the 5€ for the card itself. We decided to go with buying the carnets (10 tickets) as needed which ended up costing us less than had we bought the Navigo card. It was pretty cold while we were in Paris and we took the metro much more than we usually do, but we still would not have broken even if we had bought the Navigo.

lrock5

We bought the Navigo as we go once a year and will use it over and over again. For a one timr trip I would probably use Carnets unless I planned to use the metro alot.

nyse

Just so you know, Paris is the City of Light.

<i>Paris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ParisParis has many nicknames, but its most famous is "La Ville-Lumière" ("The City of Light"), a name it owes first to its fame as a centre of education and ideas ...</i>

Have a wonderful time there!

ticalinda1969

@ adrienne: thank you I am staying at the "rue des Quatre-Vents" right in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, sso I dont think I would need to use the metro, I travel to MYC often and I walk a lot, I dont mind and I actually enjoy it more, specially on a nice weather. Do you think it is better to just get a pass just in case. I saw that from where I am to the Eiffel tower dfor example its about 2 miles.... what do you think?
Thanks again

ticalinda1969

@ yestravel and Irock5 great advice thanks a bunch!!!!

adrienne

I would buy 10 tickets to start. Use the metro for the ET and other places farther away (Montmartre, etc.). Many sights are easily walkable from your hotel. If you plot your daily sightseeing you can take the metro/bus to the farthest point and work your way back by foot.

Everything in the 5th and 6th is easy to get to. The metro to the Marais from your area would take longer than walking. Figure out where you'll be going and then decide if the pass is worth the money. You'll need to buy metro tickets for the first two days, anyway.

It's your money and you can spend it any way you like but for me, I'd rather save the E12 and use it to buy wine or pastries!

yestravel

good advice by adrienne. We often take a metro to the furthest point of the day and make our way back on foot. Lots of places to see and cafes to take a rest in when needed. Use the website for the metro/bus, RATP, - also has an app for your phone to plot where u are going and the metro or bus routes
http://www.ratp.fr

Have a great trip!

apersuader65

If you expect to travel on busses or metro significantly, I'd recommend getting a Mobilis Pass for your first sunday, a Navigo for the following Monday-Sunday. As for Saturday, it would depend upon arrival time, and from where you are arriving (jet lag an issue?) to determine. If you already have transport to your hotel or apartment from your arrival point, and don't plan on using the metro or busses much, I'd suggest buying individual tickets for each trip.

If you are not planning on using much metro or busses for transport, then stick with the carnet's. I liked the convenience of the navigo, you can hop on any bus or metro at any time you want. Plus, my next trip will involve simply reloading the pass I purchased last time.

Good luck and enjoy!

Judy

We use the Navigo pass. We are in Paris once or twice a year for a couple of weeks at a time. It works for us as we walk a lot but find it very convenient to hop on a metro or bus if we're running late, the weather isn't pleasant or we're just tired. We may use it 4-5 times on a rainy day going to and from apartment and not use it the next day at all. We like the convenience.

ticalinda1969

All great advice, thank you all so much...I think I will have to go and see by myself to see how far everything is located and decide then what to do next...
Merci
Viri