Is Carte Orange worth it in France?

Question

I'm arriving on Wednesday night, staying for 8 days, and leaving the following Thursday morning.

I will probably walk or ride a bike around Paris, but I do expect to take the Metro maybe 3 times a day. Not enough to justify buying a Mobilis pass.

I could buy the Carte Orange on Wednesday, and use it until Sunday, and then buy a carnet of 10 tickets or single tickets. Or should I just buy two carnet's and skip the Carte Orange?

Answer 1

You can buy the carte orange from Thursday for the following week. So if you want to for the remainder of your first week (until the Sunday included), you'll have to buy it as soon as you arrive . Thursday morning will be too late.

The price of a carte orange is equivalent to 15 journeys at the carnet rate. If you think you will make more than 15 journeys in the four days from Thursday to Sunday, then the carte orange is worth it.

Also, the number of stations selling the carte orange is going down as it is phased out.

Personally, I'd go for two carnets (buy one and then another when it runs out). You can give any tickets left over to a friend, or people begging in the metro.

Answer 2

you can only buy the carte orange on mondays so in your case it's not an option. alternatively, buy a carnet and use ot whenever you like.

Answer 3

I would buy the Carte Orange for both weeks.  To me, it's worth it to know that I don't have to worry all the time about having a ticket or buying a ticket.  I just whip out my pass and get on the bus.  

Just know that Carte Orange is being discontinued at the beginning of July!

Answer 4

The carte orange is disappearing anyway and being replaced by a navigo card (5 euros + a passport-size photo +16.50 for a weekly fare) so not worth it if you are staying a week from mid-week to mid-week.

Start with one carnet since you enjoy walking (11.10 €) and then you can always get a second one if you need more tickets. I have never used an entire carnet in a week, Paris is compact and walkable. But this depends on the location of your hotel or apartment  in Paris.

As you can see on the following map, most of the attractions are in the central arrondissements of Paris so if you are staying in one of the central districts you could walk to most places: http://www.paris.org/Maps/MM/MMF.html

Answer 5

The thing to do is to carefully consider your itinerary (and if you haven't made on you should). There may be some days when you'll use a lot of public transport but most days proabably not.

So for those days when maybe you'll only get on the Metro or a bus 2 or 3 times, just use tickets from the carnet.

But if on any day you'll be riding more than five times then buy a "Mobilis" which is a one day travel pass that costs 5.60 euros.