New member, first topic. Touching down in Paris in 54 hours. Just some basic questions regarding the metro--

First, what information do you need to find your correct train? Is knowing the train number given from the ratp.fr site enough (such as, 12 from Bercy to Quai de la Gare then 6 to--etc) or is there more necessary information?

Also, I've heard the metro is a maze of stairs worse than NYC. Can anyone confirm this?

There are many maps in the Métro that make it easy to find your way. Essentially you find your current station, find your destination station, and then hop onto any line that connects the two. In most cases, you'll have to change trains, meaning that the line that serves your station and the line that serves the destination station are not the same, but cross each other at some point, at which you'll leave one train and get on the other. It's easier to do than to explain.

Yes, the Métro is chock full o'stairs. It's an unfriendly place for anyone with reduced mobility. Many stations have escalators, but it's usually not possible to avoid stairs entirely. Some stations have elevators. The system was designed before anyone gave any thought to the disabled, and tight quarters make it difficult to retrofit the stations, although the transport authority is slowly making progress each year.

If you are in a wheelchair, you'll find the Métro practically impossible to use, but you can use the bus network, since many buses now accept wheelchairs. It uses the same tickets as the Métro but has many more lines and stops. More scenic but slower, and more pickpockets in some cases.

Besides all those stairs, the métro is also a maze of connecting corridors, especially when changing lines. That gets tiring very fast.

As a NYC'r. The metro is much easier in Paris than the train in NYC. It is not as far underground as it is at some stations in ny. Particularly the train at the 63 rd St station and at west 4th. If you have to trek it is not usually by stair but a xfer straight underground. I am sensitive to stairs so feel free to ask questions and I can gel answer more than those who are more "able"

in essence, I find the metro less of a pain than the subway in ny.

How disabled are we talking about?

Just a slow walker or can handle some stairs/steps? Then the metro is doable, but not terrifically easy.

But if you have any real mobility issues -- avoid the metro. Buses and taxis will will be much easier.

The metro is great -- but disability-friendly ? Not really.

Ignore my iPhone spell error "corrections" please.
That was supposed to be 53td st station not 63rd and generally not gel.

You need to know the line number and the direction you want to go, which is the last station on the line/route.

Agree with above. Use the buses. You never know when there will be a lot of double staircases, long walks, getting out of a station, for one thing.

If comparing to NYC, the long staircases are nonexistant. Buses are definately an option. But depending on disability level, the metro is easy unless you require elevator/escalator.

Having just returned from Paris last week I have no desire to see another metro! We found with a little patience one can become really good at taking the bus instead - just don't be in a hurry and study the map at the bus stop thoroughly. Also don't be afraid to ask questions of the other folks at the bus stop!

Even if a metro station has escalators there is no guarantee they will be working. That is why I take buses. If you have specific places you definitely want to visit, you can plan the route in advance using the RATP route finder website

Make sure you also have a good map of the taxi stands; if one is nearby don't try to hail a taxi, he won't stop. As others have said, forget the metro system.

I discovered the joys of the Paris bus system when visiting with my Mom who was not wheelchair bound but had difficulty walking more than a short distance and especially with lots of stairs. Still use the metro for some long haul (clear across town) trips but now use the bus more often. Even when stairs and long walks for connections are not an issue, riding the bus lets you see things you miss when traveling underground.

Depending on level of disability, there is no need to just rule out the metro. It sounds from the OP that s/he is able to use the suway system in NYC. If this is indeed the case, there should be no issue with using the metro in Paris. I will say it again, the metro in Paris is easier to use than the subway in NYC if one has some mobility issues for the following reasons:
1. There are less stairs and the metro is generally not as far underground.
2. The staircases are wider and thus easier to navigate.
3. People are more civilized. They are not constantly in a frantic rush running down stairs and aggressively brushing past people " in the way"
4. Trains run more frequent, which means there is generally less overcrowding and you can get a seat. This is not to say there are no rush hour periods where snagging a seat is more difficult.

cherry - don't think anyone is suggesting to rule out out Paris metro entirely. BUT you are dead wrong about <i>some</i> connections in Paris metro not requiring lots of walking and sometimes lots of stairs - just like <i>some</i> in NYC. Visitors with impaired mobility quickly learn this.

Neither the Paris Metro nor the NYC subway are friendly to anyone with mobility problems and neiter is usable by someone who can't manage stairs. The Metro is not nearly as bad since there aren't levels of trains below each other - so if the issue is slow mobility and a few stairs it might be doable. But IMHO in either case i would do bus and/or taxi.

"<i>But depending on disability level, the metro is easy unless you require elevator/escalator.</i>"

"<i>there is no need to just rule out the metro.</i>"

of course for some journeys the metro can be a good, or even the best, option. No one said otherwise. But it sounds like you have no mobility problems of your own. The Metro may be marginally better than the NY subway or London underground -- but it is <u>not at all easy</u> for anyone w/ disability/handicap/mobility issues.

To claim otherwise is misleading.

But we really don't know how much disability the OP is talking about -

Several people have said rule out the metro. I am responding to that statement. I also noted that I am sensitive to stairs as I noted and have a slight disability issue myself as I stated above. Yes there are longer xfer points at some metro stations but is not a maze of stairs as was asked in the initial post.

The poster has not stated the extent of disability but if the person is able to navigate the subway in new york, and is asking if it is worse, I stand by my assertion that it is not worse, but easier for the four reasons I stated in my 12:57pm EST post above.

Either way, the poster stated s/he is leaving in 54 hours from September 3rd, s/he may not be back to answer the question of how disabled s/he is.

I think that when most people hear the word disabled, the assume wheelchair. There is a very wide range when it comes to what constitutes physically disabled. It doesn't necessarily mean immobile or even mean that it is visable.
/rant

Even though my mother is no longer able to take public transportation, I still always preferred the metro with her to the bus when it was still possible. The bus requires standing to wait for it in most cases, with no reliability as to when it will arrive or when it will get to where it is going. The metro will be in the station every five minutes or so, no matter how slow you are. Of course, my mother was able to go up or down stairs at super slow speed sometimes, but that was not a problem.

When we took buses, even though the bus drivers are very understanding, once she was on board, the driver was not going to wait 5 minutes for her to manage to walk to a seat, so I would have to keep an iron grip on her until we reached a place to sit (even though at least 4 people would jump out of their seats immediately to offer a space).

Thank you all for the replies!

I certainly intend to at least view and consider the metro of Paris, but now I think perhaps I will also go ahead and study the busses and their routes

As to the question regarding my disability, I walk with the assistance of forearm crutches. Stairs are not unnegotiable if they have a sturdy railing and if I am not being rushed. Still, it is awkward--

Also, as I do not intend to travel very often too far from my central residence, at least not initially, I have no doubt I should find the busses adequate for my needs.

Maybe it would be helpful to list those metro stations that would tax a mildly disabled person who is still planning on using/trying the metro.

Anyone: please feel free to add from your own experience.

Metro stations that will test your endurance to avoid if poss:
--Châtelet
--Montparnasse (yes it has people movers, but they are sometimes out of order)