Paris Metro
 

I'll be visiting Paris for in June (Tue-Fri). I'm wondering about a few things:

- Any suggestions on whether I should get the Paris Visite or just the carnet. My impression is that Paris Visite is not really worth the money unless you do A LOT of travelling.

- Do anyone know how much is it to take the RER from Paris to Versailles?

thanks a lot!!

The Paris Viste is only worth it if you use the extra coupons that come with it (and do a lot of traveling). We aren't interested in the coupon places and walk as much as we can so the carnet makes more sense for us.

Check the Metro web site. The Paris Viste section is in English. See what the coupons are for and if you think you would use them. Then make a general list of sights you want to see and decide if you will need passes.

We particularly like the carnet because if you have any tickets left, you can use them on a return visit. When your time is up on the Viste pass, it's no good any more.

The RER web site should give you the price to Versailles. I don't remember because my husband paid for the tickets. It was pretty inexpensive though.

Have a great trip.
((@))

Go to www.ratp.fr and click on the English version which should answer some, if not all, of your questions.

Paris to Versailles is 5.00 euros for the round-trip on RER line C.

Larry J

Here's the run-down on metro prices: single ticket = 1.30; book of 10 single tickets = 10; paris visite pass for 3 days = 18, and for 5 days = 26; the "carte orange" is 15. (all prices quoted in euros). The carte orange can only be purchased in Paris, but it is very easy to do. And it really is the cheapest way to go. I did this last year, and it was so convenient to just have the ticket in hand, and not worry about having to purchase them each time. You really do use the metro ALOT in Paris, I'd say I used it about 4 times per day. Now, what you need to figure out is how many actual days you'll be there, using the metro - the full 4? (Tu-Fr)or just 3 really? I think Paris Visite is expensive, but it's comforting for some people to be able to purchase it before they travel.
I also traveled to Versailles last summer (fabulous!, must-do!) and the bus is actually very convenient. It takes about 40 minutes, takes you right to the front of the chateau. I'm going back this summer! leaving 23 june. Enjoy! There's nothing like paris!!
~~leslie~~

>You really do use the metro ALOT in Paris, I'd say I used it about 4 times per day.<

Goodness. I recently went with my mother (age 87) for a week. We took the metro three times and a bus once.

It all depends on how much you want to see, and how far out you want to go. I still did plenty of walking, but I also saw lots of museums, etc, and travelled from my hotel by metro to get there. Didn't use the bus at all. I you go somewhere in the morning, and travel back, that's twice... in between you might want to see another site, and get back -- that adds up to four. Don't worry, you'll be doing plenty of walking in between!!
~~leslie~~

The Metro is so easy but the bus is so much nicer. You travel with little old ladies and get to see the sights. I especially like the #52. You can pick up a big map of the Metro and bus routes from a counter clerk.
Check the price of the carte vert -- it is a week-long ticket good Monday to Sunday. Good on both subway and buses.

If I get the carte orange, can I use it to and from any neighborhood in Paris?

There really isn't a single price for a Carte Orange. It is a pass for which you can buy a variety of zones, and even two time periods. Most tourists would only want the week's pass, of course, but the lowest price of 14,50 euro is for zones 1-2 only. Some people do want to buy it for 4 or 5 zones if they want it for airports, Versailles, Disneyland, etc. I think for most people, buying a pass for zones 1-2 is usually sufficient. If you are only there 4 days (or maybe only 3, if you are leaving Friday), a carnet would probably be fine. For anyone there more than a day or two, you probably wouldn't buy each ticket individually each time, and with a carnet, you have ten tickets.

Even if someone did buy the Paris Visite, it would be better to buy it in Paris rather than from abroad.

I'll be staying in Belleville. What zone would that be in?

tomthumb, all of central Paris is within Zones 1-2. Roughly, anything within all the "Portes", at the least.

So that includes me. Right?
Thanks!

Sorry, tomthumb, I hadn't read your earlier message...but, yes, if your visit falls into the Monday-Sunday range, you can use a carte orange pass for all metro, RER, and buses within inner Paris - for metro and RER, you insert the ticket and retrieve it (put it back into your gray folder; for the bus, you just hold up the pass/ticket and show the bus driver. Sometimes in the RER you have to use the ticket to EXIT as well.
Be sure to write the number on your id card (the carte orange) onto the ticket (whatever color it may be this year).
Take a small photo to affix to the id card (like 1"x1").
If you are leaving zones 1-2, ie. for Versailles, just buy a separate RER ticket for that trip.

Thanks travelnut!

I was just there 2 months ago (sigh!) and was surprised to find that you can now buy a day pass for the metro. I think it was about 5.5 Euros, and it was also good for the bus. It was a GREAT alternative to choosing between one ticket or a book of 10. The pass is also good for using the bus.

OK did I just repeat myself?? I need to lay off the cough medicine!

The Mobilis ticket (which is not advertised at all on the English RATP site) is better value than the Paris Visite. It's €5.20 for one day, zones 1-2. If you're going to Versailles, you need a Mobilis for zones 1-4 (€ 8.75), which will also get you all around town.

All the RATP prices are at this link: <A HREF="http://www.citefutee.com/informer/ta....php</A>

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