METRO and other RAPID TRANSIT
First understand, the METRO is cheap, convenient, safe, and easy to use. You need a metro ticket, which you can buy at every station. We usually buy a carnet which is 10 tickets for about 12 euros You also can buy one or two tickets, if it is just to be one trip. You can buy them at the booth or at the automatic machine, using cash or your credit card.[but not Amex].
In most cases, each line has just one train, no express or local, or different train lines, sharing a platform. . Before you descend to the platform, you will notice a sign listing each station that the train will stop. Just check before descending to make sure that you are going in the right direction. Each train car has on it a strip map with all the stops, and showing all the possible connections at each stop.
When you get off at your stop, if you have to transfer, just follow the signage. You might have to walk a long distance, but following the signs will bring you to the correct track.
When you get to your stop, notice that each station has a large, local map indicating each entrance to the streets, easily numbered, so that you will be headed off to the correct side of the street. They even show the direction of the staircase. One hint: the numbering of buildings on each block decreases in the direction of the Seine.
One important note: hold onto your ticket until you complete your ride. There are, occasionally, inspectors, checking your tickets. This is done to prevent "turnstyle jumpers." We even had a group of inspectors get on the train and check for tickets while train was moving. They don't full around , for these tickets.
Something new has been recently added to travel on the metro or buses. You now can get a "Navigo Decouverte". This is a card, with your picture, that has a radio tag that allows you to enter metro or buses just passing the card over a spot on entrance. You will need a picture 3cm tall by 2.5 cm wide [about 1 1/4" by 1"] Either bring them with you, or their are photo machines at various stations. This smart card costs an €5 set-up, one time charge . A weekly card, €16,80, is available up to Wednesday, but it is for the current week only, ending at midnight Sunday. A monthly card is about €55, but you would need to purchase it only on the 1st of the month. [expect lines] You can refill this card at station change booth, with cash or credit card, or at machines in station, for cash or French [euro] credit card only.
The buses of Paris use the same tickets as the metro. They, too, have their route clearly indicated at each stop, and along the side of each bus. They go slower than the metro, having to deal with local traffic, but if affords one the possibility of enjoying the sights of Paris life along the way. The streets of Paris have many lanes, exclusive for buses and cabs, that make travel faster.
Taxis, are another option. The are expensive, like NYC, but the can travel on the bus/cab lanes allowing them to move faster through the traffic. Available cabs will have a large, white lighted sign "taxi" on top. You can go to taxi stations, or now you can hail them in the street. Some cabs will not stop, most will.. And cabbys reserve the right to not accept groups of more than 3. Ask the driver if he will take 4 passengers. Some will, some will not.
We have used Dean to get to airport. He has either private cars or vans. A group van is 25 euro for one, 35 for two to CDG or Orly. Airportshuttlebydean.com or 06.17.57.69.20. Or. 06.27.26.24.36
Our preferred cab is Felipe to go to the airport. Very reliable and speaks english.
Our preferred cab is Felipe to go to the airport. Very reliable and speaks english.
The RER are trains that go to the outskirts of Paris. You pick them up at many metro stops, and they use a similar metro ticket, but you must upgrade them [at additional fare] at booths leading to the RER trains. These trains travel faster than the metro, and make fewer stops, more like the LI railroad than the NYC subway.
