transpo tips

by Jay, San Diego, Friday, May 18, 2018, 10:04 (2904 days ago) @ Jay
edited by Jay, Friday, May 18, 2018, 10:21

Transpo

Uber & cabs are ubiquitous, but since you are a group of 5 I would opt for the public transpo as your primary mode. In some stations there are a lot of steps, but your mom should be fine unless she walks with a cane/walker.

Public transportation includes the Metro (subway), the RER (commuter rail through city and to suburbs) and buses.

You can buy books of individual tickets (carnet). Single tickets are 1.90€, book of 10 for 14.90€. They are good for any metro, RER, or bus ride within zones 1-3 (the city limits).

There is also a "Navigo" pass that runs weekly from Mon-Sun only; they're meant for local commuters but anybody can buy one. You would need to supply a photo. Might not be a good fit depending on the weekdays you'll be there.

"Paris Visite" is the tourist pass and you can get it for 3 or 5 days I believe. It works on all public transit for zones 1-3. It's 38€ for the 5-day version.
https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/paris-visite-travel-pass

Visite may or may not be worth it depending on how many trips you think you're going to take. The pro is you don't have to fumble around with individual tickets; but the pro for carnets is that anybody in your group can use one.

You can use the ticket machine in any station to buy any of these except the Navigo (where you have to go to the window). Machines have English as an option.

BTW Versailles & Disneyland are outside zone 3 so if you have a 1-3 pass you would need to buy a separate ticket to get to those.

Metro lines are identified by color & number, and the direction named by the end stop on the line. It is very easy to navigate. Maps are everywhere. Just find the station you want, identify the line and the direction you're going, and look for the name at the end of the line to know which track to wait on. Google maps will also find metro routes for you, including station transfers.

Metros run until about 1AM (2AM on weekends, schedules vary).

Metro etiquette includes letting people get off before you step in; keeping conversations at a low volume; and not using the retractable pull-down seats if it is crowded. Offering seats to older people is common. If you are stuck behind people and need to get off, say "Pardon" (or "Pardon, s'il vous plait") and move on through.

There are definitely pickpockets working the trains and the busy stations but if you don't offer an easy target (like hanging a purse open) you'll be fine.

As in NYC you'll find musicians working the metro. Some are very good! You'll be hustling to make a connection and then have to stop to appreciate. I took this the last time I was there: