Getting around Paris
 

Hi everyone - travelling to Paris in September and staying in a timeshare located in "Zone 3". Wondering whether we should purchase the 5-day paris metro passes, or whether the "carnet" are a better deal? Also, should we pre-purchase the passes should we go that route, or is it better to just wait til we get to the airport? Finally, does anyone have any recommendations with regards to getting to our timeshare (in Vincennes) from the airport other than via the metro - we don't want to lug all of the bags! How much is a taxi, or can anyone recommend a bus or shuttle service that takes you right to your door? thanks so much in advance!

It totally depends on how much you use the public transportation system, and where you are going. YOu are referring to the Paris Visite tourist passes, I know. For most people, the carnets work out better as those are pretty expensive but you are staying outside of Paris proper, you know. Zone 3 isn't Paris itself, it's the suburbs.

I don't think you can buy carnets for zone 3 tickets if that is where you are located. I might be wrong as I've never tried to buy them, maybe you can buy them 10 in a group with a discount. However, I think they are not an option for you and those tickets can't be used for you to go to/from home (but could be used during the day within zone 1).

Why would you consider prepurchasing them? YOu will pay more that way, won't you? Any travel agent will mark them up to sell you that. There isn't any point to that. There isn't any point in buying them at the airport, either, I don't know why you'd take the time to do that as you can buy them at the first metro stop you use.

I think for you, a Paris visite zone 3 might actually make sense, it is 29 euro for five days. even if you wanted to buy the Parisian Navigo pass which isn't what tourists used, you wouldn't save that much money as it is 23 euro plus you'd have to have a photo, and pay 5 euro flat fee to get the card. So if I were you, the Paris Visit would be easier and no problem (also you can use it any day you start, the Navigo starts only on Monday, if I remember right (or Sunday, one or the other).

There still isn't any reason to prepay them, definitely do not if you pay extra for that.

You'll have to say more explicitly where you are going, but I would guess a taxi would be about 40 euro to Vincennes as it's on the east side of the city.

At Vincennes, I would buy a Navigo Decouverte and you will be all set for metro's ans buses . We had very good luck booking round trip with Shuttle Inter . From there you might have to use a lot of tickets if you only buy carnets! Bring a small picture for the ND. Shuttle Inter would be around 55 Euro , Round Trip. A lot less than a taxi

I would never recommend a Paris Viste pass

No expert but carnet seems valid for Metro and RER in Zone 1.
The Mobilis is a day pass, and is good for both, and costs 7,90 for Zone 1-3.

www.ratp.fr

a Navigo Decouverte is 22 Euro for 7 days. Do the math!

Thanks for the input everyone. I found a website that sells the Visit Paris passes (5 day adult - Zones 1-3) for $44 US dollars. They get you on the shipping charges - almost $45 to ship to Canada which is ridiculous. We will wait and purchase the pass in Paris - just don't want to be running around all confused when we arrive at CDG in the morning. I've been to Paris before but we lived in Europe at the time so those trips were always by car- never had to worry about getting metro passes.

We will likely use the passes twice per day - first to get to the city centre from Vincennes, the second to return to the timeshare in the evening. Otherwise we will likely walk around..

Avalon - you mentioned the "Shuttle Inter" - how do i find more information on that? Will it pick up at the airport and transport us right into Vincennes to the hotel? And is the 55euro the price for both of us or is that per person?

Many thanks everyone!

Avalon, I've counted the fingers...and it adds up.

You would need a photo, and it is good from Monday to Sunday of the week.

Hey, I'm becoming an expert too :)