Madison

Does anyone else feel Metro & Tube challenged? Is there a site for someone like myself that better explains. You can tell I don't use public transportation in L.A.

WillTravel

Once you start, you will be fine. Give yourself a break and allow yourself to go slowly and think rather than rushing to a platform (that helps me psychologically). (Of course do not do your thinking on an escalator .)If you do happen to go the wrong way for a few stops, that's no big deal.

For the tube, try here: http://www.thetube.com

I don't know if this is a definitive French metro/train site, but try this one:
http://www.mappy.fr
It's great for helping plan walks between one point and another, and also the best way to get from one place to another on the metro.

The one thing that scares me is the Tokyo subway (or was it train?) map I saw in the "Lost in Translation" movie.

coldwar27

I was in both Paris and London last year solo and had no problems using either the Tube or the Metro in Paris. We don't have public transportation to speak of in Tampa either.

The Tube has an EXCELLENT website: http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/ It talks about the general stuff but I like their section on etiquette as well.

The Metro might be intimidating if you are worried about a language barrier. I know French but even if you don't, you really shouldn't have many problems. Here is a website for the Metro: http://www.ratp.fr/. You can click the English button for assistance.

indytravel

I fell in love with public transportation in Washington DC in the 80's. I love the subways. Drinking and riding is my style.

After awhile you discover they all pretty much operate the same. The end of the line denotes the direction the subway is going. As an aside that's why I avoid the circle line in London.

It helps to study a map beforehand and have an idea of where you're going. I use subway navigator. It helped alot for my recent trip to Boston.

www.subwaynavigator.com

brookwood

Let me make a practical suggestion here.
I dislike the underground systems in London and Paris, but I don't fear them, except for that Paris Meteor Route and its body pinching doors.

My chief dislike for the Paris metro is derived from the multitude of steps, the interminable labyrinth of tunnels, and the smell inside the stations.

Therefore I try to avoid the big stations as best I can. Sometimes, multi line stations are necessary because changing trains is often done at a large station.

The other option is to use the bus. Both Paris and London have extensive bus routes. I prefer the bus because I am above ground and can see where I am going. I take the bus when I can in preference to the encased trains.

I do not have the same dislike of the U-Bahn in Munich. I like that system.
It is clean, orderly, well ventilated, has wide platforms and it is often equipped with escalators and elevators for those trips that find me with luggage.

I think the best solution to the problem is to study a map of the bus routes after you arrive and try to figure out how you can avoid the huge metro stations where more than 2 lines cross.

I have learned the Paris system fairly well, and I will walk to a smaller station if the extra steps will enable me to avoid a huge station that may be closer.

For example, I dislike Montparnasse-Bienvenue in Paris. My favorite hotel is near there, but a small stop is only a little farther away. I get off at the small stop and walk past a pastry shop on my way to the hotel, and I stop in and reward myself for riding the smelly thing.

My parents used to tell me if I ate between meals I would spoil my dinner.
That is not the case. Those strawberry and rasberry tarts seem to stimulate it.
They make good appetizers and deserts.
Besides, they are one of the best aspects of Paris.
I think I deserve a treat for my efforts. So yummmy in my tummy! It lessens the impact. Sort of like the Mary Poppins tune about a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.

My wife claims I go to the museums and monuments to develop an excuse to stop at La Brioche Doree. She might be right. But I notice she helps me stop there by eating one too. And there is nothing like a sweet pre lunch snack.

yk

Madison-

For the Metro in Paris, the lines are named by Numbers. The direction of the train is determined by the Last stop of the line.
So if you're going to a Metro stop that serves multiple lines, make sure you know which Line Number you are supposed to take. Then remember which direction you are going by looking for the Last Stop for that direction.

For the Tube in London, the lines have names & different colors assigned. In terms of the direction... I don't remember too well, so I'll let others answer this.

BTilke

Two ongoing problems I have with the London Tube: first, the day pass often doesn't work properly in the turnstyles when I'm trying to exit the station, so I have to get station staff to check it and then wave me out. Second, I always dread finding out that the escalators aren't working at my destination stop. Some of those Tube stops are DEEP, and having been hit more than once with non-working escalators and a LONG climb up, I won't go on the Tube with luggage.

Travelnut

This site explains very well, in understandable terms (Paris Metro/RER):

http://www.gisparis.com/paris/paris_subway.htm

m_kingdom

All public transport especially trains are inefficient, and not experiences one would wish to savour at all! Also, public transport seems to be so terribly public.

Travelnut

I think I meant THIS file, which is PDF format...very good.

http://www.atkielski.com/PDF/data/ParMetro.pdf

Underhill

The tube and métro aren't hard to use; just be prepared for a lot of walking when you change lines, and be on the look-out for pickpockets. Sad but true.

Scarlett

I love the Metro and the Tube.
I even like standing there on the platform, that I had to take two escalators and walk a mile to reach, with a zillion other people and the hot air that blows out of the tunnel in my face.
Every part of travel is an adventure and I always get a kick out of the trains~

m_kingdom

Scarlett my dear, no Londoner could ever get a kick out of anything public transport related, the tube remains a tedium for every single person. How strange you get a kick out of it, then it takes allsorts I suppose.

obxgirl

I thought allsorts were licorice.

Scarlett

m_kingdom, since I am not a Londoner, it should not be so strange to you.

obxgirl

I like riding the Tube and Metro for exactly the reasons Scarlett articulated. Ditto for riding the subway in NYC and Chicago. Years ago when I commuted into DC on the Metro, I wondered how long it would take for the daily ride to become tedious (or worse annoying). It didn't take long. But now I enjoy it because I don't have to trek the trek everyday.

Dave_

I felt just like Scarlett before I moved to London, I thought the system was great.

Now I live in London, I actually don't feel strongly against the tube since I don't need to use it to get to/from work. I tend to use it outside rush hour when things are a bit more stress free.

It's only since I've travelled more that I realise how good the tube in London is when compared to some other metro systems.

Washington DC's on the other hand was great, but very new by comparison so you would expect a better system.

Anonymous

Two other features of the Metro/Underground that might not have occurred to you if your only experience with mass transit is airlines and/or intercity trains:

(1) The subway cars run on the exact same tracks and routes all the time, so there are lots of permanent signs and directions, unlike an airport where your flight could be at ANY gate and you have to check each time to find out where you're supposed to go. And because of this,

(2) Most of the people down there with you will be able to give you precise, accurate directions. Or will at least be able to point in the right direction if you learn a few key foreign phrases ("How do I get to . . . ?" or "Which way to . . .).

kismetchimera

I dont mind riding Paris Metro, but not in rush hour....Never saw so many running cattles trying to get the metro..

Gretchen

The Metro is incredibly user-friendly and larger stations have a map that lights up with your route. I do suggest that if you have to change lines that you make a note of the "direction" for your change so you don't have to consult the map again--or look at your pocket map. It sort of points you out to the possibility of pickpockets--and it makes your transition smoother. I agree with the post about stairs, etc. We have taken to using the buses a lot--very pleasant, no stairs or long correspondances. But their mass transit is very easy to use. Get Michael Middleditch's book--Paris Plan (?). It has the bus lines ON the street map.