Do we need a metro pass in Paris?
 

I am travelling to Paris in September, staying at the Hotel du Louvre, in the 1st district. Do we need a metro pass? Are we close enough to the attractions to walk to the major attractions (Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, etc...), occassionally taking a taxi or the metro as a supplement?

Hi Rebecca. Well I was just in Paris last month, and i would say that taxis are too extremely expensive. The metro tickets are very cheap (about 80 cents?) and you can go anywhere in the city for 1 ticket. You can buy as many passes at a time. We just bought like 10 at a time to get us by. I would not reccomend taking a taxi. The metro is much faster, also I wanted to tell you that the metro tickets that you purchase can also be used on the city busses, and they too, will take you to where you would like to go anywhere in the city. You are close to some attractions, far from others. Obviously you won't be walking from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame.....although Notre Dame to the Louvre is possible. The metro is so easy to understand and they have maps at every station. It would be hard to get lost....although not impossible. If you have anymore questions, e-mail me, i would be happy to answer what I can. Just a word of advice, I am telling you, the metro and city busses are the only way to go. They are fast, extremely inexpensive, well taken care of, and very reliable. Let me know if I can answer anything else, ~Zack

Dear Rebecca, <BR> <BR>You are a stone's throw from the Louvre, the Opera and the Champs Elysees and it would be possible to walk to the Musee d'Orsay (walking is such a pleasure in Paris - providing it isn't raining). Having said that, the metro is very convenient in Paris and at the end of a long day or if you are pressed for time it is a great option. You could do one of two things: If you are staying a week get a week-long metro pass (approx. 89 FF) which gives you unlimited access to the Paris Metro system. If you are staying less than a week you can buy ten-ticket booklets (59FF) which are better value than individual tickets. <BR> <BR>Hope you have a great stay.

Also the cheap week-long pass starts on Monday and ends on Sunday, so it depends what day you arrive whether it is the best deal and also whether it is even available (isn't on sale for the week after Tuesday, I think). The carnet of 10 tickets is a good way to go and the 10 can be shared by the two of you. <BR>

Hi. I found the carnet of 10 tickets to be useful for our needs. They are also good on the buses. In fact, I prefer the bus to the Metro for several reasons. For one, you don't have to walk long tunnels and climb steps. For a second one, you can see where you are going. In many cases the bus was more <BR>convenient to take because it came right by our hotel, or was a closer walk than the Metro. If two of you go and come from one destination, you have used 4 tickets. The carnets of 10 are available in Metro stations from the ticket window or from a vending machine. <BR>I found that I needed coins a lot for machines in Paris.

Kristin's right, the weekly pass (Carte Orange Hebdomadaire) can only be bought up to (and including) Tuesday of that week (and you'll need a passport picture). It's your best bet if you plan on using the metro/buses a lot and your visit somewhat coincides with a Mon-Sun week. <BR> <BR>A carnet is a good deal if you plan on riding occasionally but I found it a bit of a pain keeping up with all those little green tickets. <BR> <BR>Avoid the over-priced Paris Visite (sp?) pass.

My advice, particularly for someone who will be staying in a very central location like yours, if you're using the metro/buses several times every day but not constantly, is to just buy the 10-trip carnet to get about. Savings with the 10 tickets are about 40% of the cost of individual tickets. Many people who combine transportation with walking and spending time in museums, restaurants, etc find that a carnet is as, or more, cost-effective than a pass. <BR>Your single ticket will allow you to use the RER system as well, WITHIN Paris. If you're going via RER outside the city, such as to Versailles, you'll have to buy the necessary separate ticket. <BR>

Hi Rebecca; We stayed at the Hotel du Lourve a few years ago and I can assure you that it is very centrally located. It's a wonderful hotel. You can walk to all the places you mentioned including, the Eiffel Tower, although it is a fair distance. There is a metro stop right outside the Hotel. The suggestion to buy a carnet of (10) is also a good idea. We used the Metro for various additional trips, including Versailles (sp) You've made a good choice of Hotels. The cocktail lounge (Defender Bar)at the hotel is awesome! Enjoy your stay....Paul J