I am going to Paris in two weeks with my husband and eight year old daughter. I can't seem to decide whether I should buy carnets for the Metro or Carte Orange or Paris Viste! I have scanned everyone's opinions but still seem to be at a loss!As I will only be there for 3 days, should I even consider a carte orange? We will be using the Metro quite a bit as my daughter will probably tire of walking too much!Can anyone help? Thanks!

That depends on the days you will be there. The Carte Orange is good from Monday morning until Sunday night. It can be purchased, I believe, only the first two, perhaps three, days of the week. It is always worth buying for me, but if I arrive on Thursday or Friday, I don't think I can get one. I have asked the desk person at my hotel to get one for me, which she has done, but if I didn't know that person, I'm not sure I would ask or that s/he would do it. I ride the bus a lot, and sometimes I would have to spend three tickets to get somewhere were it not for the pass. Of course, there is always the metro where only one ticket is needed. Hope this helps. Boots

Hi, Kelly. I took my children to Paris when my youngest was seven years old, so I can relate to tired little feet. If you're arriving on a Monday, then the Carte Orange might be worth it. Am stressing the word, "might." But really, if you're checked out the RATP website, you'd see that carnets are sooooo simple and compared to most things in life, cheap. We've used Paris Visite passes (we never seem to arrive in Paris earlier than a Thursday) and really didn't find them to be a financial plus unless we're running ourselves ragged with short Metro trips (as when I took my aged parents) or taking shelter with bad weather (same trip, come to think of it). <BR><BR>With your child's getting the reduced tarif carnet, you're not going to be out many Euro's no matter what.<BR><BR>

Kelly, why sress over a few euro? If I were to be in Paris for 3 days, I would just buy a 3 day Paris Visite, for the convenience of having just one card, and limitless trip possibilities.

The Paris Visite is basically not a good deal. For one day of unlimited travel, try the mobilis ticket. Good for one day for unlimited rides on the metro and the buses. Check it out on the web site.

I like to ride buses a lot so for me it is worth it. You can only buy on MON, Tue or Wed. and it is good Mon thru Sun. I don't know about kid prices on the metro or buses though. Don't stress over a few dollars and do what is most convenent for you and have a great time in Paris.

It is really pretty simple to figure out. It is not sold after Wednesday so if that is within your time then you are "able" to buy it.<BR>The ability to use it on buses is a big plus--for you and your daughter since walking within the metro can be tiring of itself.<BR>The cost is about ?14. A carnet (10 uses) is about ?9. I think the carte orange is the best deal--IF the days are right.

Ok, Kelly: I fear that all of us are confusing you further. <BR><BR>First of all, you don't need one of the passes to ride the bus. The good ol' metro ticket (one of those things in the carnet)does the job, too.<BR><BR>So now you're just back to plain economics.<BR><BR>Here is a good analysis from Sue on this forum:<BR><BR>Author: Sue ([email protected])<BR>Date: 05/08/2002, 09:01 pm<BR>Message: Break-even for the Carte Orange is 14 trips, in comparison with the carnet price. It costs 13.25 euros. There is also a day pass called Mobilis (5 euros). Paris Visite (zones 1-3, not including airport) for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days is higher: 8.35, 13.70, 18.25 and 26.65. It just seems to me that PV is inordinately high. For the cost of a two-day PV, you can buy a week-long CO. They do stop selling COs on Thursday for the end of the week.<BR><BR>Hope this helps clarify your options a bit further. Just one warning: several posters (but not all) had trouble getting the mobilis because it's meant for French citizens/residents. Whatever!<BR><BR>Now you know why I just carry a stash of metro tickets in my right pocket (that have no expiration date!!)

Hi Kelly, all this , in my opinion, is a little out of hand.<BR>if I were you I would simple get a carnet, ten one way tickets, and simply use them!!!!!! and get a second carnet if needed..no big deal, They are really cheap , may be one day you are tired and with a little girl you will prefer a taxi, they are reasonable, no big deal .......so that is a possibity also. Why would you like to get a cart orange worth for 7 days only to be used 3!!!!When things are not very complicated why complicate them? Have a great time

Just one point. There is nothing on the English language web site of the RATP which says the Mobilis is meant for French citizens only. You have every right, no matter what the clerk says, to buy this ticket.<BR><BR>You also have every right to buy a Carte Orange. Apparently the RATP has instructed its clerks to try to steer know nothing tourists away from Carte Orange and Mobilis to Paris Visite. They basically have no right whatsoever to do so. So if you run into this problem, insist upon your rights.

Hi Kelly: Instead of these bits and pieces, here's a pretty good summary on the web page. I love how they describe the Paris Visite.<BR><BR>http://www.jura.uni-sb.de/~threich/paris.faq.htm#241<BR><BR>Now after reading that summary, just have fun with that little one, whatever you do.

Well there really is a point about the buses--you must use a new "metro/carnet ticket" EACH time you change buses vs. using the carte orange. It could conceivably cost you 3+ tickets to travel to your destination on the bus.<BR>We loved riding the buses because we saw the neighborhoods as we travelled--and the time it took was often less than the metro.<BR>It STILL depends on the days Kelly will be there--all this may be a moot point.

Thanks everyone! Boots, Amy, Liz, XXX,Harvey, Gretchen and Graziella!!! Wow, what a response!<BR>We will be arriving on a Wednesday afternoon so after reading everyone's advice, I will try to get the carte orange. If there is a problem then I will just get the carnets and relax! We leave for Ireland in ten days then go on to Paris the following week! I appreciate everyone's opinions and think this is a wonderful site!!! Thanks again!