TRAVELING WITHIN PARIS

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Here’s a great link for transportation info in Paris. http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-map/getting-around/

USING THE METRO SYSTEM:
The quick and easy way to travel around the city, as well as the best value. The Paris metro has around 300 stations, their entrances marked by a big yellow “M”, and 16 lines, numbered from 1 to 14, 3bis and 7bis. Each line has a color, which you’ll find on signs in the stations and on all the RATP maps. Connections between lines make your journey easy to plan. For an idea of your journey time, allow an average of TWO minutes per station and add 5 minutes for each connection. Each line has two directions, indicated by the terminus station at each end (for example: Balard/Créteil). The different directions and connections are clearly displayed on blue and white signs on the platforms and in the tunnels. To be sure you’re heading in the right direction, check that your destination is on the list of stations just before you go down onto the platform. Inside the trains, you’ll find network maps and the detail of the line you’re on along with all available connections to other parts of the network. Maps of the public transport network, in all shapes and sizes, are available free of charge at the ticket offices, as well as at the all the information centers of the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau. Large-scale maps are also displayed on the platforms and at the entrance to each station. The metro operates every day including public holidays from around 6:00 am to 12:30 am. Times of the first and last trains vary depending on the point along the line that you are departing from. Trains are less frequent on Sundays and public holidays. Illuminated signs above the platform indicate the length of time until the next train arrives. Fast and fully automated, the newest line 14, also known as Météor, offers a regular service all the time - Sundays and public holidays included. On this line, a verbal announcement indicates the name of each stop. For a Flash map of central Paris, click here: http://www.ratp.info/orienter/cv/cv_en/carteparis.php
For a MAP OF THE METRO SYSTEM, click here.

METRO FARES:
A single metro ticket costs €1.40, and can be used for one journey, including all connections. Tickets are lilac in color and can be purchased singly or in a book of 10 (“carnet”) for €10.90, at the ticket offices or machines in metro stations, and also in some tobacconists. Keep hold of your ticket until you have completed your journey, as you may be asked to show it if tickets are being inspected. If you cannot produce proof of payment for the ticket inspectors, you may risk paying a fine. This ticket, valid for zones 1 and 2, allows you to travel anywhere in Paris, and even beyond, since it will take you to the end of each metro line, even if it is located in zone 3 (as for example La Défense on line 1). You can also choose a weekly or monthly “Carte Orange” pass, and other kinds of travel pass valid for unlimited travel during 1 or more days. These can be purchased from the ticket offices or machine in the stations, their prices vary depending on the travel zones covered. You will need a passport-sized photo for these passes, obtainable from the photo booths in some metro stations (make sure you have the correct change). In the RER, as long as you remain within the city limits, tickets and prices are identical to the metro (RER stations also have their own ticket offices and machines). If you are traveling beyond the city limits, you need to ensure that you are in possession of a ticket or a pass which covers your whole journey up to your destination in the Ile-de-France region. If not, you will not be able to go through the automatic barriers on arrival and you may be liable to a fine. The RER ticket also covers your journey and any connections within Paris (zones 1 and 2), on your outward and return journeys.

RIDING THE BUS:
On the buses, you use the same tickets as in the metro, with no limit of distance (including suburbs), except on the Balabus, Noctilien and routes 221, 297, 299, 350 and 351. The bus driver can sell single tickets, be sure to have the correct change. On the bus, your ticket is only valid for a single journey, with no connections. You will need another ticket if you change to a different bus route or connect with another form of public transport. If you plan to travel around a lot, it would be better value to buy a pack of ten tickets (“carnet”) or a travel pass. For information on various Metro and bus passes, click here: http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-map/getting-around/public-transport/ guide/public-transport_fares-travel-passes-and-reductions Click here for an interactive map of the bus routes: http://www.ratp.info/orienter/cv/cv_en/cartebus.php

TRAVELING BY TAXI:
Over 15,000 taxis operate in Paris. There’s a unique phone number now for all the taxi firms: 01 45 30 30 30 – it is operated out of Paris City Hall, and is directed to the nearest taxi service available to your area.

TAXI FARES:
Tariff A: €0.82/km Applicable within the city limits from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The city limits covers Paris as far as the boulevard iphérique (ring road) inclusive.
Tariff B: €1.10/km Applicable within the city limits from 5:00 pm to 10:00 am and on Sundays and public holidays from 7:00 am to midnight. Applicable in the suburban zone from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, the suburban zone including all Paris territory situated outside the ring road, the other towns and areas, and services to and from Orly and Roissy airports and the Villepinte exhibition centre.
Tariff C: €1.33/km Applicable within the city limits from midnight to 7:00 am on Sundays. Applicable in the suburban zone from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am and on Sundays and public holidays (day and night). Applicable beyond the suburban zone at all times. The standing pick-up charge is €2.10. Minimum journey charge, including supplements, is fixed at €5.60. Additional charges for each adult passenger from the 4th onwards: €2.70; and for luggage, that applies from the second piece of luggage placed in the boot of the vehicle.

TAKING A BOAT!
The Batobus is a shuttle-boat service that enables you to take trips along the Seine – without guided commentary – and to hop on and off at 8 strategic stops: Eiffel Tower, Champs- Elysées, Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Notre-Dame, Hôtel de Ville and Jardin des Plantes. The service operates from end March to beginning January: from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm in March, April and October; until 9:00 pm in May, June, July, August and September; and from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm in November, December and January. Boats depart every 15 to 25 minutes.
Various packages:
• Half-circle ticket, for a single trip over a maximum of 4 sections (€7.50).
• 1-day ticket, for unlimited journeys and stops (€11).
• 2-day ticket, for unlimited journeys and stops over 2 consecutive days (€13). Children under 12 will only pay half price on average for all these tickets, on sale at each stop. The 1- and 2-day packages, for adults or children, are also available at all the different welcome centers of the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau.

MORE USEFUL SITES:
There are obviously many options for how to get around Paris. You may want to avoid driving unless you are already familiar with the city, as the streets are congested and parking is hard to find. To learn more about possibilities for traveling around the city and the costs of each, please visit a few of the following sites: