Prices (as of July, 2007)
One ticket: 1.50 Euros
Carnet of ten tickets: 11.10 Euros
Visitors should check the Metro website for the most recent rates because they do change frequently!( Click 'International travelers' for info in English)
Using the Metro (subway) and buslines is an ideal way to visit Paris, particularly if your time in the City of Lights is limited. Before purchasing your tickets, I would suggest considering the number of days you'll be sightseeing in Paris and how many times per day you'll be using public transportation. If you plan on staying within the Paris city limits, you will only need a ticket for Zones 1-2. La Defense and St. Denis lie within Zone 3. Airports lie within Zone 5.
There are numerous options and discounts. Here are a few to consider (as of July 2007):
The ten-ticket carnet (11.10 Euros) can be used at any time either on buses or on the Metro. I have saved these tickets for return visits a year later.
The Mobilis card is a one-day unlimited use card.
Zones 1-2 cost 5.60 Euros.
Whereas the Paris Visite Card (Zones 1-3) costs:
8.50 Euros for one day
13.95 Euros for two days
18.60 Euros for three days
27.20 Euros for five days
Paris Visite Card (Zones 1-5) includes transport to the airports:
16,75 Euros for one day
25,65 Euros for two days
37,35 Euros for three days
45,70 Euros for five days
The Orange Card or 'Carte Orange' is being replaced with the Carte Navigo. Carte Orange or Carte Navigo is a weekly or monthly pass. The current Orange Card rates are applicable to the new Carte Navigo.
(Zones 1-2) cost: 16.30 Euros Weekly - 53.50 Euros Monthly
(Zones 1-5) cost: 32.10 Euros Weekly (incudes airport)
(Normally, Zones 1 and 2 are the only zones you'll probably need if you plan on staying within Paris city limits).
If you are under age 26, you can take advantage of Ticket Jeunes which allow you to use the Metro and buslines on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at a reduced rate.
Zones 1-3 cost 3,20 Euros for the day.
The Noctilien Bus Routes run from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 am. You can get a print out of the specific bus lines that run during the early morning hours on www.ratp.fr or call tel: 08 92 68 7714. Or send an SMS to 61064 to know the next bus time arrivals.
Remember, if you plan to use public transportation for the airport, you will need to
- Request a Carte Orange, or Carte Paris Visite which includes the airport zone. For example, your Paris Visite card will note, "Aeroports inclus".
- Purchase your airport ticket separately: Line B of the RER or Roissy Bus (departing from Opera) which costs 8.60 Euros.
Invest in the pocket-size book, Paris Classique (8,69 Euros) or the Plan de Paris, which lists all the arrondissements in detail as well as the buslines and Metro stops. This is the book that residents discreetly pull out of their pocket when they're lost!
Museum & Monuments Card
(This card allows access to museums only. Transport tickets are purchased separately.)
1 Day - 18, 00 Euros
3 Days - 36,00 Euros
Paris Open Tour
1 Day - 26.00 Euros
Children under 12 years - 12,00 Euros
2 Days - 29.00 Euros
Children under 12 years - 12,00 Euros
Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Europe Insiders page.
