I think my husband and I are going to buy a 5-zone CO (we want to go to versailles and take train from airport to hotel in the 1st), arriving wednesday morning and leaving sunday. I know this may be a silly question, but how do we use the CO? Do we have to show it to someone on the train before travel or are they stamped on every ride? Maybe you just slide them through a terminal before you get on the train? Does it vary how you use it based on whether you are getting on a train/bus/metro or is it all the same?

Also, it is a 4 zone or 5 zone that we want? Thank you so much - any feedback appreciated!

<i>Cartes Oranges</i> are delivered as a ticket the same size and shape as a M&eacute;tro ticket.

To use the trains (M&eacute;tro or RER), you insert it into a turnstile. It pops back out, and when you take it, the gate opens. On the RER, you also have to use it on the exit gate.

For the bus, you just show it to the driver. Do not put it in the canceling machine, because guess what? It will be rendered useless.

You will need a 5-zone to use it from CDG. Versailles will also be included, as it lies in Zone 4.

Robespierre- Thank you. You are such a great help to so many. We are lucky there is someone like you on this site. Do you live in Paris? I just read the next 5 days are expecting rain showers My husband and I are planning to be there tuesday - sunday.

Also, is the Air France Bus from the airport to the City a bus that anyone can take? or it is still better to take the RER/Metro, as you recommended before? We'll be staying across from louvre.

I live in Scottsdale, Arizona. I only WISH I lived in Paris!

Anyone can ride the Air France bus. For people having a lot of luggage, riding it to a terminal and a cab the rest of the way is often desirable.

But if your luggage wouldn't prevent you from boarding a train to, say, Brussels - then the RER is perfectly manageable. When you get to Paris (probably Ch&acirc;telet), you'll have the choice of walking, bus, M&eacute;tro, or taxi from there to your hotel.

would I want to take this Air France shuttle from CDG to our hotel? is that cheaper than the metro, or within reason? or does this shuttle only go to certain places in Paris?

It isn't a personal driving service, it won't take you to your hotel. It only goes to a couple bus stops in Paris -- Gare de Lyon, MOntparnasse tower and Arc de Triomphe (and Porte Maillot on the western edge). I think it's a lot easier and more comfortable than the RER/metro, but is best if you are near a stop, of course.

Haven't you ever ridden an underground system before? They don't have conductors any more, can't afford the personnel, they are regulated by entry gates in most places that you can't get in without a ticket. There are a few that still have some kind of &quot;honor&quot; system, which I think is weird, and then random clerks may check you to see if you have a valid ticket (Vienna was that way last time I was there).

In Munich, the fine for riding without a ticket is 40&euro;. A proposal being debated is whether to raise it to 120&euro;.

Christina-
I did not think the airfrance shuttle was a personal driving service. I thought it may have been something that has a few stops in Paris, and maybe it is easier to take the metro from there to my hotel (depending on price, length of travel and ease of use in comparison to the RER).
And yes I have taken underground systems, but everywhere is different. I don't take public transit where I live, we drive everywhere. In Greece buses are on the honor system, in Spain the bus drivers watch you put the ticket in the terminal, in the US and other countries you put a ticket through the gated entry - however passes would not go through these machins. The CO is a pass, no? It is different everywhere, and that is why I ask.
I assumed this forum was a safe place to ask questions to help those who travel to new places, not judge one's predisposed thoughts on travel.

I recently came across this detailed and helpful primer on using public transportation in Paris: http://tinyurl.com/2ngs2l

It clearly explains how to use the Metro (includes photos) and provides info about the various transportation passes available. Perhaps it will help someone!

-Jess

That article doesn't mention the <i>Mobilis</i> card at all. This is a one-day unlimited pass that costs as much as five <i>carnet</i> tickets, and is cheaper than <i>Paris Visite</i>. Here's the breakdown (May 2007 prices):

1 day
<i>Mobilis</i> 5,50&euro;
<i>Paris Visite</i> 8,50&euro;

2 days
<i>Mobilis</i> 11&euro;
<i>Paris Visite</i> 13,95&euro;

3 days
<i>Mobilis</i> 16,50&euro;
<i>Paris Visite</i> 18,60&euro;

5 days
<i>Mobilis</i> 27,50&euro;
<i>Paris Visite</i> 27,70&euro;

In addition, for those under 26 years of age, there is an all-day ticket valid called <i>Ticket Jeunes</i> for a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. They cost 3,20 and up (depending on zones of validity).

All RATP tarifs are here: http://www.ratp.info/informer/tarif.php

The only time a <i>Paris Visite</i> makes economic sense is for those on a same-day layover at an airport. In this case, a 5-zone will provide transport from the airport to the city and back plus unlimited transport all over town for less than the cost of a round-trip airport transfer on the RER train.

IS CO only good for RER/Metro or is it good for bus travel as well?
If it is not good for bus travel, it is better to travel on metro or bus? I am trying to figure out if I am going to need to buy CO, or I should just pay the bus as I go? ( I will be going to and from CDG to Paris and And Versailles, but I am not sure if buying CO 5-zone is worth it...

<i>Carte Orange</i> is valid on RER, M&eacute;tro, bus, tram, and SNCF trains within its prescribed zones.

A 5-zone CO costs a little less than a 2-zone and two airport transfers. Plus you get Versailles for &quot;free&quot; with the 5-zone.

Tariff Guide:www.stif-idf.fr/IMG/pdf/Guide_2006.pdf