Paris Weekend Break

Public transport in Paris

The public transportation system in Paris is called the RATP and is made up of a number of services including, bus, tube (Metro), train (RER), river boat (Batobus) and tram. Below are some general details that indicate the cost and coverage of each.

Paris bus and Metro tickets

• Paris is divided into 8 travel zones with the main centre being covered by zones 1 and 2.

Tickets are valid for the Metro underground and bus and can be purchased at Metro stations, tourist offices, from bus drivers etc.

• Tickets can be bought individually, or in a bundle of 10 at a time. Additionally, special passes can be purchased that allow unlimited travel for fixed periods, e.g. a week. Photo ID is required for this kind of ticket/pass.
• As an e.g. a 3 day pass covering zones 1, 2 and 3 will cost about 20 euros.
• The underground starts at 5.30am and closes at 12.40am.

• Buses run from 6.30am to 8.30pm although some routes continue through to 12.30am. Special night time buses continue through the early hours on 18 different lines on an hourly basis. The bus stops offering this service will have an owl emblem on them.

River transport

River boats (the Batobus) travel along the Seine stopping at numerous points including tourist hubs like the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower. The service is regular with a boats arriving approximately every 20 to 25 minutes from June to September. Tickets can be purchased for a set number of stops, or a day or multi day unlimited pass. A two day adult pass can be as little as 13 euros.

Rail (RER)

You will see three different sets of letters connected with the rail network in and around Paris.

• RER is the local central Parisian network
• SNCF (the National Railway Network of France) covers the more distant locations and a third set of initials
• TGV, refers to the high speed trains themselves.

As in most countries, ticket discounts are available for pensioners and the young (in this case under 26 years of age). Tickets can be bought at any SNCF station, or purchased online and sent to the buyers home address.

Trams

There are 2 tram lines in Paris. Ticket prices are the same as those of the Metro. The stops are limited.

Taxis

Taxis have a minimum fare of something around 5 euros and most make additional charges for baggage and passenger numbers. Parisian taxi drivers do not have a good reputation.