RonZ

Here is a handy URL explaining various forms of transportation in Paris.

http://www.parisby.com/transpor/transpor.htm

On the bus link you can get a map of the system, which while difficult to follow, is at least useful in identifying lines to research further.

This URL has detailed route maps for all of the lines.

http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/P...st_bus_eng.htm

The Paris Mapguide and the London Mapguide [available from amazon at a low cost] include bus lines on the maps and are very useful.

Judyrem

No, not now, maybe at first though. Like Scarlett, Indytravels and obxgirl, I like the Metro and Tube. We used to live in Atlanta, and it's system MARTA, was okay and not nearly as encompassing or efficient. First time to Paris and Europe, we were just a teensy bit intimidated, but we persevered .

MelJ

I found the London tube easy to navigate from my first experience. Plenty of signs, maps repeated in the cars, stops written on the walls... I'm a fan--even though I've been stuck on a few for some extremely warm moments when they stopped in the middle of nowhere.

However, I was surprised the first time I took the Paris Metro. After having heard many times that it was the best system in the world, I found it time consuming. Many times we had to walk those long tunnels to get to the correct train, once we ended up on an RER and missed our stop, always--always--they were crowded and there just don't seem to be as many stops in convenient places as I wish. I just didn't find it as user-friendly and much preferred to walk as many places as possible.

Keith

I think you will feel better about the tube & metro if you plot a couple of your first routes in advance.

For the tube, the site is http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/cgi-bin/tpque...yType=Stations and there is also a place to do the same thing for the metro.

Keith

SuzieC

Well, I confess, the Paris Metro bothered me...so much so that I didn't use it at all. Because of that unfortunate bout of dementia I WALKED everywhere! To put on spin on my cowardice that is a bit positive, I got to see things that I maybe would not have gotten to see! I think walking in Paris is very easy! <GRIN> BUT next time I go, I'll use it...! I have promised myself.

Tallulah

Whatever you do, don't be afraid to ask if you don't know where you're going or where to change trains - we're not nearly as aloof as we like to pretend in London!

I will point out a couple of things that do annoy the 'natives' about visitors though...

1) PLEASE stand on the right hand side of the escalator so that people can walk on the left

2) If you're in a group, please don't assemble right on the other side of the barrier on the way out - might seem like common sense but nearly every day I have to push my way through a tourist group, which does make me appear very rude and aloof!!

The maps are avilable everywhere and the colour coding makes it particularly easy to read. If you're changing line, look up on the wall in front of you as you leave the train and it will have an arrow telling you which way you need to go to change line (saves too much dithering on the platform)

Oh, by the way, when there are lifts from the platform to street level, it's usually because there really are too many steps on the stair, don't attempt it! And if you can avoid it, try not to change lines at Bank - it can take 15 minutes to change from the Northern line to the District/Circle!

Give it a couple of journeys and you'll be like an old pro! The websites already mentioned are great too..

Scarlett

I found the buses harder to figure out in Paris. But even that can be a great adventure, you can see where you are going, so you can figure out if you got on the wrong bus..but you get to see Paris from a seat rather than the non-view of a Metro car.
We took a bus from Sacre Cour to the Louvre and loved the trip through the small winding hilly streets.

Sylvia

I am a provincial lady although I don't keep a diary.
I go to London once a year for my annual "fix" of theatre, music and museums.
Yes, I always get a bit of a thrill when I take my first tube journey of the year, it's something about the smell and the sound.
I think you'll find that the Tube is very user friendly. It is well signposted and you can double check by looking at the train announcement displays.
Please remember to stand on the right of the escalators. Londoners use the right side to dash up and they get angry if you block their way.
I suspect that M-Kingdom is an alias for Prince Philip.

Madison

Thank you everyone for your advice. I walk to as many places as possible but there are times when I know I am going to have to tackle the tube, metro and busses. You were all so helpful

DiAblo

My first trip to London I was TERRIFIED by the Tube. By the second day I had it pretty much down. Besides, if You realise you're going the wrong way, get off, cross over, and you're right again.

I was disappointed by the Metro for reasons already stated, I found the smell of urine almost unbearable in places and I really disliked the roving bands of "musicians" in my face everywhere, including inside the train itself! I also resented having to pay when we noticed many, many people simply stepping over the gates.

I was also disappointed with the "numbers" system in NYC. The city should invest a few thousand dollars for decals to affix to the signs putting the name of a location to a train number. For instance, in London, if you're heading to ST. PAUL'S you can find it on the Tube Map, as with many other locales, Tower Hill, Enbankment, etc.

In NYC the wee decal could say "Empire State Buildiing," Met. Museum of Art, etc. It is probably taken for granted by those who live there but tourists and travellers are sometimes confused.

NYC, London, Paris and most of the "great" cities should realise that tourist dollars will be in the top five (at least) sources of municipal income and should treat tourists accordingly, by making things as smooth as possible.

I have friends in London who HATE the Tube but I think it is the friendliest mass transit I've ever used. Buses are fine, but traffic conditions can turn a 30 minute trip into hours.

obxgirl

Madison, This point has been raised on the forum before but bears repeating. Although the Tube is easy to navigate, you might find the shortest distance between two points is by foot and not by Tube. So I second the idea of getting a map (tube and street) ahead of time. The Mini London A-Z might be a good place to start and a portable reference to take with you. It's $4.00 or so on Amazon.com. It includes major tourist sites and all the tube stations.

flanneruk

Since Sylvia and Tallulah have moved on to Tube etiquette, a few other things that make life easier for everyone, were once standard, and are becoming increasingly ignored:

1. Don't congregate on the platform at the point you come onto the platform. It really, really, is dangerous and stupid. Move down the platform. You get more space that way.
2. On the tube, move right down inside the car. Sadly, Brits themselves now seem to have forgotten this basic rule. But staying near the entrance is uncomfortable for you and everyome else
3. If you can't move inside, and are stuck at the car doors, when the train comes to a station GET OFF. Etiquette then requires that you get on again first. Some ill-mannered survivors of a more sensible age have been known to jostle very hard the morons who insist on standing in the middle of the entrance to a tube car, blocking everyone's way. Those jostlers pack very sharp elbows.
4. Don't try to get on till everone's off.

Like all sensible etiquette codes, this one makes life easier for everyone, is disregarded by selfish losers and really should carry immediate capital punishment for breaching.

In fairness, North American tourists in small parties are among the best upholders of this code. European school parties and younger Brits tend to be the worst culprits. But Americans and Canadians can still annoy.

singlegalzzz

I found the Tube to be pretty user friendly! I'm going to Paris next Wednesday and hope the Metro will be just as easy to use. My fear is just regarding language barrier, as I don't speak or know French.

wealthy_backpacker

M_K

I guess it would be more efficient if we got rid of all public transport and everyone used their cars.

Have you joined NetJets yets so as to avoid sharing a plane with other commoners?

Sylvia

Whoops, I meant to say that Londoners gallop up escalators on the left not the right
I'm also wrong about m-kingdom. He's not Prince Philip, he's either the Queen (my kingdom) or Prince Charles (mum's kingdom).

Neil_Oz

I was about to congratulate all contributors to this thread for very sensibly ignoring m_kingdom's rather puerile interpolations (sorry, m_k, I'm usually more polite than that, but last time I looked a week ago it was a full moon). Then wealthy_backpacker spoiled everything.

wealthy_backpacker

Whoopee for you Neil_Oz!

bookchick

I thought the Tube in London was a breeze, although my last full day there, someone threw themselves onto the tracks at Highgate. We were bussed over to the next Tube stop.

BC

GSteed

Good subject. Base note..Transport systems are designed for use by locals going to and from work or travelling within their area. Tourists/visitors simply 'piggyback' on it. If you use system during 'peak hours' you will inconvenience locals!

JBX

Don't forget to "mind the gap".