Transportation

Driving Directions to

Metro

The metro is the ideal way to get around Paris fast and easily. There are 16 lines (including 2 "bis") traversing the city. Each line has a different color and number. So even if the abundance of lines appears overwhelming when you first look at a metro map, it quickly becomes easy when you understand how it works. At any given Metro station each Metro line will have 2 platforms, one for each direction.  Each direction is marked by its terminus station, the last station on the line. 

Paris A La Carte (International Visitors Card)

If travelling from overseas one of the cheapest methods of travel may be the Paris Visite Card. This card lets you travel as often as you wish and varies in cost depending on the number of days and zones you are going to be travelling. Most importantly, unlike the Passe Navigo/Carte Orange, these are valid from the first day of use (rather than from Monday to Sunday). It can therefore be purchased in advance to avoid last-minute queuing.

Passe Navigo Découverte/Carte Orange

They are strictly weekly (Mon to Sun, no sliding week) or monthly (as above, no sliding month) passes. They are the best value for money if you plan on using extensively the transportation system. 

Buses

Buses are also a great option as they allow you to see and enjoy the city while moving around. There are so many buses in Paris, you can go almost everywhere by bus. The only issue is to find where they stop! Bus stops are more tricky to find than metro stations. Tickets are the same as the ones you use in the metro.  The bus fare structure was recently (July 2007) changed to allow limited transfers between buses.  A "t+" ticket (which is what you will receive if you buy a carnet in a Metro station) allows transfers among buses for up to 90 minutes from the first trip.  However, if you buy a ticket on board the bus, there are no transfers.   Also, there are no transfers between bus and metro.