Paris boasts one of the world’s safest, easiest and most efficient public transportation systems that at first sight may seem intimidating to new visitors. Run by the RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens or Independent Paris Transport Authority), Paris public transport includes buses, night buses, trams, RER trains, métro (underground), Montmartrobus and the Montmartre funicular railway. But before you travel anywhere by public transport, do not forget to book cheap flights to Paris and pick up free maps of the métro, bus and rail systems around Paris, from airports and stations!
Paris Métro
Walking is the most scenic way to explore the beauty of Paris. But for longer journeys, Paris subway system, called the métro, is the most preferred mode of transportation. With 15 lines, over 379 stations and more than 131 miles of track, it is the most practical and cost-efficient way to get from place to place within the city. It is a part of the city’s folklore and a tourist attraction in its own right (for example, the stop for the Louvre (line 1)) that will whisk you across the town within minutes in comfort and safety. The trains run from 5:30am to 12:40 am from Monday to Thursday and from 5:30am to 1.30 am on Friday and Sunday, and the price is over €1.
RER (Réseau Express Régional)
The RER is an commuter rail network, with five train lines identified by the letters A, B, C, D, and E that runs from about 05h30 to about 00h30 (half past midnight), offering rapid transit with Paris. Line A and B are the busiest, as they connect the Paris city center with EuroDisney, CDG Airport and Orly Airport. First open in 1961, the RER quickly grew into a huge network that radiates in all directions from the city center. RER trains stop at SNCF railway stations and have correspondences with important Metro transfer points. The RER can definitely be a tourist friend in Paris. The usual magnetic public transport tickets are used.
Paris Visite Pass
If you want to avoid buying lots of different tickets and make unlimited and unrestricted trips around the Ile-de-France region (on all Paris metros, RER, buses, trams and the Montmartre Funicular within zones 1-3, which covers the whole central Paris), the Paris Visite travel card is a perfect choice that has been created to ease your travel experience and save you money.
There is a Paris Visite Pass for zones 1-3, if you intend to stay in the city center and for zones 1-6 if you want to travel into such suburban destinations as Disneyland Paris, Chateau de Versailles and the Paris airports, including Charles de Gaulle and Orly. The Paris Visite Pass can be bought for 1,2,3 or 5 consecutive calendar days and it is activated from the date you first use it. Paris Visite is not valid for travel o the Voguéo river shuttle. Choose a card covering all 8 zones only if you are going to spend a significant amount of time exploring the greater Paris region. Prices range between €9 (1-day pass, zones 1-3) and €49.90 (5-day pass, zones 1-6) for adults and €4.50 (1-day pass, zones 1-3) €24.70 (5-day pass, zones 1-6) for children 4-11 years old. The prices can change.
