How to get around in Paris
Paris is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world, famous for its culture, fashion, art, gastronomy, and architecture. The city is located on the Seine River and is divided into 20 arrondissements or districts, each with its own personality and distinctive features.
Paris offers many tourist attractions including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Montmartre neighborhood. Every corner of the city has something to offer visitors: from the cobblestone streets of Le Marais to the luxury boutiques of Champs-Élysées.
Climate
The climate in Paris is temperate oceanic, with hot and humid summers and cold but not too harsh winters. Average summer temperatures are around 25°C while winter temperatures hover around 5°C.
Language
The official language of Paris is French. However, many Parisians also speak English, especially in tourist areas.
Currency
The official currency of Paris is the euro (EUR). There are ATMs and currency exchange offices throughout the city.
- Time zone: Paris is in the Central European Time (CET) time zone, which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
- Electricity: The electrical voltage in France is 220-240V with a frequency of 50Hz. The plugs are two-pin.
In general, Paris is a safe city but, like in all big cities, there are some areas that can be dangerous at night. It's important to take precautions and not draw attention to your valuables.
Now that we've seen some general information about the city of Paris, let's see how to get around this beautiful city.
Public Transportation in Paris
Paris is well-served by public transportation, which includes the metro, buses, and trams. Here's a brief summary of the main public transport options available in the city.
Metro
The Paris metro is one of the oldest and most famous in the world. It consists of 16 lines that cover the entire city and are indicated by different numbers and colors. Most metro stations are open from 5:30 am to 1:15 am the following morning.
To use the metro, you can purchase a single ticket or a Navigo pass, which allows you to travel unlimited on public transport for a set period (weekly or monthly).
Buses
Paris buses are a good alternative to the metro if you want to enjoy the scenery while getting around. There are over 60 bus lines covering the entire city, with schedules ranging from around 6:30 am to 8:30 pm.
As with the metro, you can purchase a single ticket or a Navigo pass to use the buses.
Trams
Trams have become increasingly popular in Paris in recent years. There are currently 9 tram lines covering the outlying areas of the city, with schedules ranging from around 5:30 am to 12:30 am.
Even for trams, you can purchase a single ticket or a Navigo card to use them.
Bicycles
If you want to explore the city in a more eco-friendly and fun way, you can rent a bicycle from one of the numerous Vélib stations throughout the city. The rental cost is usually a few euros per hour or a few euros per day.
- TIP: If you decide to use bicycles, make sure to follow traffic rules and always wear a protective helmet.
How to buy tickets and what options are available
Buying tickets to get around Paris is easy, and there are several options available. Here are some of the main ones:
Billets à l'unité (single tickets)
Single tickets can be purchased at any metro station or on public transport such as buses and trams. The price of a single ticket is 1.90 euros. This option is ideal for those who do not need to use public transport much during their stay.
Carnet de 10 tickets (booklet of 10 tickets)
The booklet of 10 tickets is a good option if you plan to use public transport several times during your stay in Paris. The booklet costs 16.90 euros and can be purchased at any metro station or on public transport such as buses and trams. These tickets can also be used by two people simultaneously.
Paris Visite Pass
The Paris Visite Pass offers unlimited access to public transport, including metro, buses, trams, and RER for a period of 1 to 5 consecutive days. Prices vary depending on the number of days chosen and the geographical zones covered by the pass. For example, the cost of the Paris Visite Pass for 1 day in zone 1-3 is 12 euros, while the cost for 5 days in zone 1-5 is 65.80 euros. This option is ideal for those who plan to use public transport often during their stay in Paris.
Navigo Decouverte
The Navigo Decouverte is a rechargeable card that offers unlimited access to public transport (metro, buses, trams, and RER) for the entire week. The cost of the card is 22.80 euros and must be loaded with a weekly subscription valid from Monday to the following Sunday. This option is ideal for those staying in Paris for more than one week.
- Note: Tickets and cards can be purchased at any metro station or on public transport such as buses and trams. Tickets can also be purchased at authorized tobacco shops or online on the official RATP website.
- TIP: If you plan to use public transport often during your stay in Paris, the booklet of 10 tickets or the Paris Visite Pass are the best options in terms of value for money.
Tips for getting around easily: map, app, and other useful resources
Moving around Paris can seem complicated, but there are many options available to make your trip easier and more convenient. Here are some tips:
Use offline maps
Even if you have an international data plan, you may not have reliable internet connection everywhere you go. Download offline maps of the city on Google Maps or other similar applications to make sure you always know where you are and how to get to your destination.
Download public transport apps
Paris has a great public transport system that includes metro, buses, and trams. Download the official RATP (public transport company) or Citymapper apps to efficiently and quickly plan your trips.
Rent a bike
Paris is a very bike-friendly city, with many bike paths throughout the city. You can rent a bike through the Vélib' service or other similar services. This will allow you to avoid traffic and enjoy the city from a different perspective.
Use taxis or Uber only when necessary
Taxis in Paris can be expensive, so use this option only when necessary. If you prefer a cheaper option, use Uber or other ride-sharing apps.
Purchase a Navigo card
If you plan to use public transport often during your visit to Paris, purchase a Navigo card. This card allows you to travel unlimitedly on the metro, buses, and trams for one week or one whole month, depending on your needs. You will save money compared to buying single tickets every time you use public transport.
- Remember to always validate your Navigo card before use.
- The Navigo card can be purchased at metro stations or on the RATP or SNCF websites.
We hope these tips help you move around Paris easily and enjoy the city to the fullest!
Some tourist attractions to visit by public transport
Paris is a city rich in tourist attractions, and to visit them all, it is necessary to use public transport. Here are some of the main attractions that you can easily reach by public transport:
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous monuments in the world and definitely a must-see during your visit to Paris. To reach it by public transport, you can take metro line 6 or 9 to Trocadéro station or line 8 to Ecole Militaire station.
Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is one of the most important museums in the world, housing priceless works of art such as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. To reach the Louvre by public transport, you can take metro line 1 to Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre station or lines 7 and 14 to Pyramides station.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
The Notre-Dame Cathedral is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and one of the most famous churches in the world. To reach it by public transport, you can take metro line 4 to Cité station or RER B and C lines to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris and offers a panoramic view of the city from its terrace. To reach it by public transport, you can take metro line 1 to Charles de Gaulle-Etoile station or RER A and C lines to Charles de Gaulle-Etoile station.
- Eiffel Tower: metro line 6 or 9 (Trocadéro) or line 8 (Ecole Militaire)
- Louvre Museum: metro line 1 (Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre) or lines 7 and 14 (Pyramides)
- Notre-Dame Cathedral: metro line 4 (Cité) or RER B and C lines (Saint-Michel Notre-Dame)
- Arc de Triomphe: metro line 1 (Charles de Gaulle-Etoile) or RER A and C lines (Charles de Gaulle-Etoile)
Remember that Paris also has an efficient system of buses, trams, and urban trains that will allow you to easily reach all the tourist attractions in the city. If you want to save on ticket costs, you can purchase the Paris Pass, a card that gives you unlimited access to public transport and major tourist attractions in the city.
Conclusion
Paris is a city rich in history, art, and culture, and to visit it at its best, it is necessary to use public transport. Thanks to its efficient transportation network, you can easily reach all the main tourist attractions in the city. Also, remember that there are different options to save on ticket costs, such as purchasing the Paris Pass.
Michael Anderson - Software Engineer
My name is Michael Anderson, and I work as a computer engineer in Midland, Texas.
My passion is sharing my knowledge in various areas, and my purpose is to make education accessible to everyone. I believe it is essential to explain complex concepts in a simple and interesting way.
With GlobalHowTo, I aim to motivate and enrich the minds of those who want to learn.
