Going to Paris, confused about transportation options?

Question

I'll be in Paris for about 7-8 days, and I am not sure what kind of transportation pass I should use.

I don't mind doing a lot of walking, but I will probably set aside one day for visiting Versaille, so I don't know if I should buy a bus/metro combo pass.

Another problem I have w/ regards to transportation is that my returning flight is at 7 A.M. (didn't know until it was booked b/c I used hotwire and it "hid" the departing time until I paid for it)

I think I either have to go to the airport the night before, or use a cab early in the morning.

How long does it take to go to CDG, from Champs-Elysee/ Montmarte area (6 Rue Lebouteux) & approximate cab fare?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

The metro system is by far the best and most affordable way to move about the city.  You can buy tickets at the ticket booths in the metro.  If you do not plan on using the metro more than 4-6 times a day or so, then jut buy 10 packs of tickets.  If you do plan on riding the metro more than that, then you can buy a 7 day pass, once again, down in the metro.  The metros run very often, and there is usually a metro stop close to every major site..(sidenote: try to pickup a good street map AND metro map.  if you also need a guide book, i would recommend the DK eyewitness Paris Top 10 book...it has a fold out street map on one cover, and a metro map on the other..and it is small enough to hide so you don't look like a tourist.  This book will cover all the basics of a first time visit to paris)  Paris is a beautiful city, so try to walk at least a little and explore.  Read up on the best places to spend your time...there a a few areas in paris that are not very nice-often near the train stations-so be aware.(the 5th and 6th are charming although not full of tourist sites)  Take time for a glass of wine at the cafes and sit outside and just take it in.  Use the metro when you have some distance to cover.  If the metro is closed, taxis in paris are quite affordable...i paid 7 euros to go from gare nord all the way to st germain/st michelle.  not too bad.

If you visit Chateau Versailles I have a tip that will save you time and money.  DO NOT buy tickets from a tourist agency.  SNCF, the French National Train company sells tickets!  The ticket will cover round trip transit there, admission to all parts of the chateau (which are usually charged separately) the headphones, and garden entrance.  Also, then you don't have to wait in line to purchase tickets when you arrive, just go to the entrance.

I bought my tickets for this at Gare St. Lazare, and then jumped on the next train to Versailles.  (if you take the train from st lazarre, don't forget to validate the little purple ticket by putting it in the little stamp machine right before the boarding platform...just ask politely if you need help)  You can take the RER C to Versailles.  You should also be alble to get tickets at any RER station booth as well.  The RER is like a metro, but more of a communter train, it should be also listed on a metro map.  

The ticket only cost about 25 euros for everything  i listed above (admissions and transportation) which is so great considering that tour companies charge 60+ euros for the same thing...the only difference is they take you on a bus, and drop you in front of the palace.  The train station is about a 10 minute walk to the palace, but versailles is a cute town so it's a pleasant walk.  I have been to Versaille 3 times, and twice I used these tickets, and it was definately the most conveinent and affordable way to go!  here is the like to SNCF site with info about the ticket!  There are three different stations in versailles, so check out a map, and decide the best way for you to get there.

http://www.transilien.com/web/site/accue...



Good luck on your trip.  Paris is a beautiful, wonderful city.  One tip: the French are very formal, so use bonjour madame/madmoiselle/monsieur, Parlez-vous anglais?, merci, and au revoir when enter or leaving businesses....even if you don't speak French, it will score you points simply because you are trying, it might get you better service, and make your experience better!  Bon Voayge!

Answer 2

It is a better to take a weekly coupon for the subway. If you want to walk, you walk, and when you are tired you take the subway...

To go back to the airport it is also better to take a cab. In the morning at 5 there is no traffic. You will need 20mn to go to the airport and the price is arround 50 euros...

Your hotel is in a very nice area, close to rue de levi, a place with a  food market, close to the subway and beetwen Champs-elysées and Montmartre...

Have fun in Paris

Answer 3

If you arrive on monday you should get the carte orange (for a week) for zones 1-2, it only costs 17€ and runs form Monday to Sunday. You can use it for Metro, Tram, RER and Buses. If your visit starts on sunday buy a carnet for one day and the carte orange on monday.

To go to versaille you can use SNCF or RER. Using SNCF is more economical as you can buy a package for versaille from any SNCF station. This will cost you 19-21€ and will include the train, and entrance to every part of the chateau. You will also avoid queing at the chateau. Buying tickets from the chateau will cost you about 5€ for each part ie about 30€.

To get to the airport use a taxi, it will take you about 30 minutes to get there and will cost you about 30-40€.

Answer 4

We (family of 4 with 2 teenagers) used the Metro and Rail the whole time we were in Paris.  We got 3 day Metro tickets for the downtown zones (Zones 1-3, I think), saving us some money and they worked on the buses.  

To get to some of the outer areas (like Versaille or CDG airport), you would need to buy an extra ticket. When we arrived, we bought tickets right at CDG and hopped on the Metro to downtown - it was clean and fast.  We booked a hotel out at the airport for the night before we left so we could take the free shuttle to the terminal.  Just give yourself plenty of time - the airport is huge, with many different terminals and the security lines were very, very long.

We also rented at car out of Orly (took the Metro to the airport) and drove out to Versaille, then to Mont St Michel which was awesome!  Returned the car at CDG for no extra charge.  Have fun!

Answer 5

Transportation in Paris is considered the best in the world but in your case I think you better ask the hotel to a cab waiting for you at 5:00 AM

to take you to the airport...play it safe !

Since you're going to travel around,then you should consider a rail pass and it's cheaper from the States and is a lot easier to pick up the phone and reserve your seat and when you get to the station validate the ticket and Voilaaaaa.

Bon voyage :-)

Answer 6

If you like to walk then Paris is a great city for it. The bottom line is really rather simple. If you think that you will use the metro three or four times a day, every day, then a trasport pass may be worthwhile. Otheriwise don't bother. Just buy a "carnet' of ten tickets and use them when you need them.

The travel time to the airport from 6 Rue Lebouteux is about 45 minutes. However, the public transport system doesn't run from about midnight until around 5:00 AM.

If you have a 7 AM flight then that would mean you need to be at the airport at 5 AM. that being so you have no choice other than to take either a taxi or an airport shuttle. I use the airport shuttles and find them quite satisfactory. Not only are they considerably cheaper than the 55+ euro fare to the airport but they can easily be arranged in advance. Your hotel desk clerk will almost certainly be happy to help you arrange for a shuttle.

You could, in theory, use the system of night buses to get to CDG in time but that would likely be something of a nightmare for someone not familiar with the city as it requires three buses from the location you name.