Batobus instead of Seine River Cruise?
 

Many people suggest taking the Seine River Cruise as well as taking the Batobus as a means of transportation instead of metro/bus. The batobus seemed like a good idea since you get to see parts of Paris that you never would underground.

We've been to Paris once and have done the river cruise, but the person who is going with us has never been to Paris, and really wants to do the river cruise.

So this is my question - if we decide to buy the batobus pass(probably the two day), could we possibly do the entire route the batobus takes instead of a river cruise? I heard others mention that they even go on the batobus at night for a trip around the seine.

I though it might be a good way to save some money if we can use the batobus for both transportation and a river cruise, but I've actually never been on the batobus, and therefore, I don't know what the "experience" is like on it. Is it covered, or open like the other seine cruise operators? Would you do both?

Until May 31st, the Batobus runs only until 7PM. Batobus stops are only along the river, and long walks, steps, are involved for getting to/from the dock.

The river cruises are non stop, whereas the Batobus will be stopping at each of the eight stops to let people on and off.

7pm - ugh! I had also wondered if the stopping/starting on the batobus was a bit irritating if we wanted to use it as a river cruise.

Going to have to rethink if the batobus is worth it or not.

Hi A,

The Batobus runs until 11:30 PM after June 1.

The Batobus can get very crowded with people getting on and off at every stop. There's no commentary. I forget what the cruise I took many years ago was like, but believe there was some commentary along the way. Also the Batobus is expensive. I think you'll see more on land.

Ira, when I look at their website, it looks like they only run until 9:30.

10h00-21h30 :
Du 1er juin au 2 septembre

Thanks everyone - we will be in Paris May 21-27 so it seems like they only operate until 7pm at that time.

Some seem to be undecided if the Batobus is even a good decision transportation wise - do you feel the same?

I don't think the Batobus is a good substitute for a Seine cruise. It's a means of public transportation in a city built around a river, not a "cruise." Of course you get to see parts of Paris that you never would underground, because you're above ground, but you can achieve the same result by using the Paris bus system.

If it's a first trip to Paris and you like river travel, it's an OK option for getting to some of the main areas of the city you'll probably want to visit. If not, the métro and bus are far faster and offer way more opportunities for getting close to places you're visiting.

I have been to Paris MANY times and have never been on the Batobus. Doesn't make it right. I have had the Carte Orange so I think it would have been free even.
You have to get to the place to get on and you have to get from the place you get off. That is not always convenient--but it could be IF you work it into your plan of sightseeing/doing. I in no wise think it is a sub for Seine river cruise. I particularly like those just at dusk as the lights of the sights/sites are coming up as the sun goes down--about 6PM I would guess at this time of year.

Don't guess... Paris is on daylight savings already, so it doesn't start to get dark until after 8:30.

Thanks everyone

Travelnut,

I was just going to ask what would be the time to take a river cruise if we wanted to go on around sunset.

Hi wren,

>Ira, when I look at their website, it looks like they only run until 9:30.

10h00-21h30 :
Du 1er juin au 2 septembre<

Thank you for correcting my error. Small senior moment. :)

((I))

You can always check for 'sunrise' and 'sundown' times under the historical averages on www.weather.com

In April, sundown was 8:30-8:45pm. It changes to later as summer progresses... of course, much earlier in the winter.

But you want to go about an hour BEFORE the sun goes down--in my opinion.