I can't decide what I want to do once I reach Paris this week. I thought about getting the Paris Pass that includes transportation, museums (multiple entries), and attractions. It is over $200 and I'm not sure it's worth it. The only real benefit I see is skipping the lines. I've been to Paris many times and have seen some of the major sites.

Should I decide to purchase only the 6-day Paris Viste Pass for transportation, where is the best place to purchase it? Can I get one at CDG? I'll be taking the RER from CDG to my hotel in the 5th. I'll be using transportation for seven days. On day seven I need it only to travel within zone 1 on the RER. Do I need a photograph? Thanks. Diane

I don't think the museum pass is worth it. If you want to skip the lines, you can buy your tickets ahead at the FNAC website (search for spectacles). Depending on the museum/event, you can print the tickets at home or pick them up at any FNAC. With tickets in hand, you'll go to the front of the line.

Unless I am there for a full week (Mon- Sun), I just buy a carnet of tickets. I always end up walking more than I think and don't need a day visit pass.

If you are there for a full week starting on Monday, you could buy a Navigo week pass in zones 1 & 2 for around 19 euros. You'll need a passport size photo and there is a nominal fee to get a Navigo card. Since adding CDG (up to zone 5) to a week pass increases the price quite a bit, I just buy a ticket for the RER from CDG into Paris.

I will be in Paris, too in a few days. Can't wait...

First, the Museum Pass and the Paris Viste Pass are two different products. The Paris Viste pass is considered to be too expensive for most people to reap any benefit from.. I personally would never buy one.
The Museum Pass however has some value, but not just for line skipping. It is ideal for those who like mulitple visits to a Museum, for instance, since many find the large Louvre overwhelming, they can visit it two or three times for an hour or two, instead of the Bataan Death march of trying to "get your moneys worth in one visit ". Secondly, the MP encourages you to visit museums that you might normally not consider,, just a pop in , which may turn out very well if you find a place or two you really enjoy. And finally, while it seems like a little thing,, many people like the fact they can pop into any museum just for a bathroom break.
The Museum Pass is also handy for line skipping, BUT, as pointed out there are ways to avoid long lines at most places without it with a little preplanning . A few places do not accept the pass( Eiffel Tower is one) and a few places accept pass but do not allow line skipping ( Tower of Notre Dame, and in some instances St Chapelle, where they sometimes let pass holders skip line, and sometimes do not) .

I personally think a 2 or 4 day MP is not a bad idea,, alot cheaper then the Paris Viste Pass. The transport option with the PVP is not a great deal, you really won't use the value of it, as pointed out by ParisEscapes a carnet or two of tickets ( 12 euros for 10 one way tickets) or a Navigo Pass are better value. If staying in a central hotel you will likely walk to many places anyways.

The MP is good for Versailles( which costs 18 euros on its own) and does allow you to skip the line for tickets there, but the security lines at Versailles there can be very long anyway, and theres no skipping them( so go EARLY)

For Louvre I have never waited more then 10 minutes ,, I use an alternate entrance through the Caroseul Shopping mall, and this has always been in busy summer months , and I have done this multiple times, so simply not using the main Pryamid Entrance is the secret to avoiding lines there.

Do not get the PVP for transport ,, really the Navigo( if you are there on right days to take advantage of it) or a carnet is all you will need.

PS if staying in the 5th I would get my MP from the Cluny or Pantheon,, lines are never an issue there.

Thank you for these wonderful suggestions. I will give the Museum Pass serious consideration and skip the PVP. Yes, I like to walk a lot. ParisEscapes, I will be in Paris alone. If you are also alone and would like company one evening for dinner, please let me know. I'll be in Paris starting Wednesday and departing on Tuesday.

Justine gave you the correct tips, and as she implied, it's a matter of what you personally want to do.

No matter what, the Paris Pass is a total rip-off. The Paris Visite is less of a rip-off, but it's close.

And no matter what, don't buy anything before you get there.

After that, what you buy becomes choice.

My sister, who travels just as much as I do, would feel the Carte Musee to be a bad buy. She wants to shop, walk, and eat--in that order.

My husband and I and our children love art museums, and Paris has oodles of them. The Carte Musee has always been a terrific value for us. We've even used it just for easy access to restrooms.

Carnets have been our transport option of choice lately, but the Navigo is great if the timing is right.

Enjoy!

LuvtoTravel - Bummer. I am in Paris quite a bit alone, but this trip I am traveling with my 10 and 11 year old sons. I would love to meet up, but I don't think you want to eat with 2 picky little boys on your peaceful vacation Have you checked out the events at Versailles this weekend? We are attending the Feaux d' Artiface Royaux (Royal Fireworks) on Friday. See here:

http://www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/node/257

And the Les Grandes Eaux Musicales (Night Fountain Show w/music) on Saturday night. See here:

http://www.chateauversailles-spectac...eaux-musicales

We are so excited! And, hoping that it doesn't rain (at least not too hard).

As with anything, esp. the Paris Pass/Paris Visite Pass, you need to figure out what you want to do and run the numbers. I think the break even point for the Paris Pass is 2-3 museums a day. In my experience, that is too many museums in one day for most visitors to Paris.

Never thought of the bathroom angle. For me, that is what cafes are for - drink some champagne, soak up the Parisian atmosphere, people-watch, then use the facilities Last time in Paris, my boys had a cute story where some American gentleman asked them which cafe bathroom to use since both doors started with an "M". They were so proud to help.

I find that these passes are pushed hard on this board and Paris related websites/travel guidebooks and the official Paris tourism site. They are promoted heavily, because they pay out very lucrative commissions on each pass sold. So, just figure out if it is a deal for you before you buy.

LuvToTravel - If you aren't doing anything on Sunday night, you may want to try going to a Jim Haynes Dinner Party. See Here:

http://www.jim-haynes.com/index.htm

Jim's parties are a ton of fun - there are plenty of people to mingle with (tourists from all over the world as well as Parisians) and you will feel comfortable going there alone.

Since I am now hijacking this thread, if you want to talk more, please google my Fodor's ID and emailingl me.

If you have weeks in Paris, "maybe". I can't (and I will make it "personally") imagine going to one of these "soirees". I have heard about them for YeARS, and varying degrees of likeability of them.
Paris passes (Visite and Pass) are a total ripoff. TOTAL. Museum Pass may well be a great buy--or not, depending on what you like to do in the space of time.

Gretchen - Ha, Ha. Your post made me visualize bringing my mother-in-law and her friends to one of Jim's parties. They'd be out of there before he could say "Bonsoir." So, I concur. Depending on your tastes, it's not for everyone.

I find Jim fascinating and its worth the trip to me just to hang out with him. He's a guy who has opened up his house for 30 years every Sunday to introduce people to each other - one of a kind. I encourage anyone to attend to talk to Jim - he's a great storyteller.

If you like to mingle and don't expect much in the way of food or decor, I'd say to try it once.

I still think there is some confusion, no matter how many posts clarifying all of this, that some of these passes are the same thing. NOT SO.

No Paris veteran on this board that I know of (there are legions of us who return to Paris at the very least yearly), push Paris Passes or Paris Visite passes on anyone.

As a matter of fact, we post ad infinitum : DO NOT BUY.

Once more (with feeling):

--Paris Pass = Rip off
--Paris Visite = Slightly less of a rip-off but 99% on this board are not advocates
--Buying any pass before you arrive = Total Rip-off

--Museum Pass/Carte Musee = Good for people who really want to see Paris area art in multiple museums in the most efficient time possible. Helps avoid lines, allows successive visits to museums (in the case of the Louvre, very key). Buying any length of time on this pass is a matter of personal interest and timing.

If you want a Carte Musee, buy at any "slow" museum. If you don't want to spend your time in museum lock-down, skip.

DO NOT BUY AHEAD OF TIME.

Carnet: Cost-efficient pack of multiple tickets you can use on bus/Metro/RER that also can be distributed among the traveling party. Can get more anytime. Can use leftovers a year or more later.

Navigo: Sensible Metro/Bus/RER pass for one person by week/month if the travel timing is right. Bring a passport sized pic for your card so you don't spend cash for the photo booth.

Here is the link to the Paris Museum Pass with sample admissions prices that is a quick read to decide if this pass is for you or not.

http://en.parismuseumpass.com/rub-the-pass-price-36.htm

For 2 days, the pass is 39euros. For 4 days, the pass is 54euros. The kicker is that you must use the pass on consecutive days (can't skip a day and pick back up again).

Look at the admission prices, make sure the museums you are interested in are open during the days you are using the pass, then figure out if you are saving money. Also, be realistic about how many museums you are going to visit or revisit. Most people I personally have traveled with burn out on two museums/monuments a day. It is easy with Paris to have "eyes bigger than your stomach" syndrome.

For comparison, here's pricing for the Paris Pass:

http://www.parispass.com/paris-pass-prices.php

Here's pricing for the Paris Visite metro pass:

http://booking.parisinfo.com/z6200e2...transport.aspx

One thing the Paris Msueum pass does include is Versailles,, which is 18 euros alone, but , if you use the pass on a "fountain show " day, normally sat and sundays, then you will have to pay an extra 8 euros to access the formal french gardens nearest the palace. You can however not access the formal gardens( and avoid the 8 euro fee) if you walk outside the wall of the Palace till you come to the entrances that are at the head of the canals,, access to this part and rest of the grounds is free as Versailles is a public park.

One thing about the Paris Museum pass is that if you are travelling with kids under 18 they can skip the line with you , and they are free at most museums , and they do not need a pass, so for cost of adult pass kids skip line with you( and yes, good for bathroom breaks, lol ) There is only one museum I know of where the kids must line for a ticket( which is still free!) , and that is the Invalids Army Museum,, and lines there are never an issue. At Orsay and Louvre they are able to just walk in with you and your pass!

Jim's parties. Maybe like going to the Elks Lodge? Maybe "tacky"? OR is it such a "young" crowd it is in (as in your MIL?) I don't think so!!
In Paris Escapes words
Gretchen - Ha, Ha. Your post made me visualize bringing my mother-in-law and her friends to one of Jim's parties. They'd be out of there before he could say "Bonsoir." So, I concur. Depending on your tastes, it's not for everyone.