ticadonnita

We will be in Paris June 27-July 5. We don't usually go with tour groups, but I am trying to figure out the best type pass or tour tickets to get.... like hop on / off or anything else fellow Fodorites might know where we can get the best prices. Thank you in advance for any suggestions or websites that I may go to. Ticadonnita

Gretchen

Do not buy any online--they will be more expensive. The PParis Pass is not a good buy for what it offers. The museum pass is a good buy for bypassing lines. Pay attention to the days of use (consecutive) and days museums are open (whether Monday or Tuesday closure).

Christina

I don't think the prices vary for the hoponoff buses. If they do, there is no reason you would buy online in advance. I did that bus once, I sometimes enjoy those buses for various cities, but it isn't really that efficient for transportation in the center of Paris. Depends how much time you have, if you have plenty and just want to enjoy that type of thing one day, no harm done. But if you are pressed for time, you'll save time by walking or using public transportation between spots. If you do do it, I'd do it first day to get an overview of the city.

I do think those buses are pretty good in some cities where things are really spread out and maybe not as easy to get to, but in Paris, that isn't really true. YOu can easily get to any place on its itinerary. I kind of enjoyed it in the 7th arr. where spaces are bigger and you get broader views from on top. Not good in the center around Opera/place de la Republique, etc., took too much time due to traffic. I never did it for the tour nor do I listen to the commentary, I just do it for the bus ride on top for fun.

ticadonnita

Thank you for your replies. We are staying in the 6th district, so much is in walking distance. We are 68, but in fit shape except lately my husband is having some trouble with his "old" feet.
So if I understand correctly, we don't have to purchase anything in advance online? We want to go to the Louvre, Notre Dame,
Eiffel Tower, and a cruise on the Seine for example. This is our first time to Paris. Thanks for any other suggestions.

Kathie

If you want to see a number of museums, the Museum Pass can be worthwhile. But the pass is good for consecutive days, so take that into consideration. The Museum Pass gets you to the head of the line which can make a big difference for some of the museums.

Personally, I wouldn't take the Hop On Hop Off bus. It offers the opportunity to be stick in Paris traffic.

For the Metro/buses, we bought carnets - stacks of individual tickets purchased at a discount at the metro station, as none of the passes made economic sense for us.

I dislike having amplified commentary on boat rides - there are several you can take where someone will tell you what you are seeing. I prefer the Batobus - no commentary. You can buy a two day ticket for not a lot more than the one day, if that interests you.

Nikki

For the cruise on the Seine, the Vedettes du Pont Neuf offer a 5 euro discount if you buy tickets on their website. I believe they have live commentary as opposed to the recorded commentary on the Bateaux Mouches.

http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

ticadonnita

Thanks again. So, I can buy the Museum pass once we get to France?
I will look up Batobus and Vedettes du Pont Neuf now. I am assuming Batobus is like a bus , but a boat on the Seine.
Yiur information is helping a lot.

Gretchen

The batobus is supposedly a mode of transportattion like the metro--it isn't very convenient.
Do the Seine cruise.
Think about using the bus instead of the Metro. You get to see things as you go by. the Metro can require a lot of walking, stairs underground if you have to use one or more lines.