I love the Paris Metro and have not used the busses much. Could anyone give me a time comparison? Example: Metro from Les Gobelins to Bastille. One would have to go to Place d'Italie to get there. The bus would be #91. Both are pretty straight shots. Any bus/vs Metro info is appreciated. I am looking for time vs scenic.

Are you looking for something more that what www.ratp.fr can give you?

Beyond the nominal, the timing for buses depend on surface traffic condition which can get pathetic. Additionally, metros can involve enormous walking around to just to get to the platform.

Scenic... hmm, not in the underground portion of metro.

Les Gobelins to Bastille via Metro line 5 19 minutes
Les Gobelins to Bastille via Ligne 91 13 minutes

greg, I can't open that link. Must be a computer thing (I am on a friend's). I am guessing it gives travel time. I will find it and thank you.

I do understand the variables. I guess I am looking for best case sceniaro for a comparison. I suggested to my friend that we each take one and test it out but he is not going for it!

By scenic I meant that I don't care about scenic, only time. A lot of posters will say how nice it is to see Paris from the bus. I actually am a Metro rat

AGM, thank you. So it would be a bit longer with the transfer. I'm surprised the bus is that much quicker. I may need to rethink my transport plans.

The wait time before the bus or metro needs to be added into the equation...buses are usually much less frequent

I recommend you not use the bus if you must be somewhere at a particular time. I had a lunch date, decided I had plenty of time and got on the bus. The bus stopped in as inconvenient a spot as could be imagined, between metro stops, and the driver said "everyone out" or words to that effect. There we all were looking stunned and no idea when another would come along. I ended up being half an hour late. My lunch companion who lives there was not in the least surprised, said it happens all the time.

Use the metro if time is an issue.

I think it is too simplistic to make a decision based on best case scenario especially involving city buses. Depending on your usage model, you may never approach anything close to what you see as the best case scenario. Other posters collaborate the factors involving city bus travel.

What you have is a choice between something theoretically better vs. actually better.

The buses are fine for a lot of routes, but travel times can vary widely. Things to watch out for: rush hour, rainy days, a route with a lot of narror streets... I have often been on the bus without it being able to move for 10 or 15 minutes due to a delivery truck on a one lane street, for example.

I don't have a smartphone, but I would if I still lived in Boston and could use a "next bus" app. A friend lives a block and a half from her bus stop and can stay in her warm apartment until her bus crosses a certain point and still make it.

Are similar apps available for Paris?

Yes, several of my colleagues use that RATP application here. Sometimes they trample me running out of the elevator. "Bus in two minutes!"

"Things to watch out for: rush hour, rainy days, a route with a lot of narror streets..." kerouac

And drivers who empty the bus for no discernible reason.

I honestly wish the late "Robespierre" were here for this VERY thread. He delighted in telling us all how STUPID we were because we liked being "down in the hole" in the Metro and how superior it(he) was for riding the Paris (and London) busses.

Dukey1, ah yes, Robespierre. I miss him.

No smartphone so that app won't work. Sounds like I will continue to be a Metro rat with a few busses thrown in.

Despite my stated experience I do love riding the buses. Just not to an appointment. It is indeed, for more casual trips, far superior to being "down in the hole". My tale was just cautionary to those short on time.

I always ask this question when someone is comparing buses with trains. If taking the bus, are you absolutely sure you know where to get off? Beacuse unlike the train or tube, stops are not necessarily signposted with the name of the destination 9either on the pavement or inside the vehicle). And you aren't always dumped right outside the globally-recognisable tower/museum/obelisk/gallery/palace/zoo/bridge.

RM67 makes a very good point. And street names are often difficult to find when they are on the sides of buildings. I had no shame and would often just ask "Rue de Whatever???" and folks would always help if the bus driver didn't. One time DH and I were busy looking at a map and the folks near us helped us with our stop.

DH and I generally preferred to ride the bus though-just for seeing what's going on. In Paris, there are so many familiar sights, it's a little easier.

We did buy at an outdoor stand, a booklet with all the bus routes. It was wonderful. You couldn't always depend on the times because of traffic.

Just about all of the buses inside Paris now have audio announcements for the stops and an electronic crawl sign giving the name of the stop, the name of the next stop, the time to the terminus and normally the time to an intermediate major stop. You can determine which stop you want from the route maps posted inside the bus.

kerouac, that's very helpful.

Thanks to all for the input.