Tramways
RATP information for tourists in English
About: There are four above-ground tramway lines:
T1, T2, T3 and T4. They run around the edges of Paris, and you can use the
T3 to travel in the outer 13th, 14th and 15th arrondissements.
Tickets:
- The same T+ tickets for the Métro/RER/bus work for the tramway.
Use:
- Tramway stops are indicated by the letter "T" displayed on a pole.
- Keep your ticket to display if requested.
back to top
velib.paris.fr/Comment-ca-marche
About: Vélib , also known as
vélos libres (public bikes) or
vélos à libre service (open-service bikes), is the city's
system of rentable bikes. Users borrow a bike from one station and return it to another. Prices are reasonable, the service is eco-friendly, and, as the website says, "
la ville est plus belle à vélo" the city is more beautiful by bike.
Price:
- Unfortunately, you currently need a debit card that contains a microchip (puce). This is a problem for many Americans. Sometimes, American Express cards without chips do work.
- The service authorizes 150 euros to be taken out of the users account for each type of plan. The money isnt actually taken out, but the company is authorized to do so in case of theft or bike damage.
- Long-term (annual) subscription : 39 or 29
- Short-term (7-day) subscription : 8
- Short-term (1-day) subscription : 1.70
- For every plan, the first 30 minutes of each trip are free; the second half-hour costs 1, the third costs 2, and every half hour past that costs 4.
Use:
- All users must be 14 years or older, and for minors between 14 and 18, a parent or guardians permission is required to use the service.
- The system operates automatically 24 hours and 7 days a week.
- Download a map of all stations from the Vélib official site.
back to top
Ferries
batobus.com
Batobus
About: Batobus (
bateau [boat] +
bus) is a
ferry service on the Seine, making eight stops on a circular route in the center city: the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay, Saint Germain des Prés, Notre Dame, the Jardin des Plantes, the Hôtel de Ville, the Louvre and the Champs Elysées (the Pont Alexandre III near the Grand Palais).
Tickets:
- One day: 15.
- Two consecutive days: 18.
- Five consecutive days: 21.
Use:
- Hours vary with the seasons, from 10 or 10:30 am to 4:30 or 5 pm in the winter and 7 or 9:30 pm in spring and summer. Batobus does not run in January.
Voguéo
About: Voguéo was a
ferry service connecting the Gare d'Austerlitz to the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, the Port de Bercy and the eastern suburbs. Unfortunately, this system of "floating buses" has been discontinued because of the high costs involved.
back to top
Taxi
Price:
- Parisian taxis are safe and reliable. The flag-drop charge is 2.30, and the minimum fare for any ride is 6.60. Surcharges apply for extra luggage and people (a driver is not obliged to accept more than three passengers; the charge for a fourth person is 3).
Use:
- You can catch a taxi by hailing one on the street or going to street corner taxi stations where they queue.
- Taxis that are available to stop for passengers have a long white light on the roof.
- Taxis that already have passengers or are on call have a small orange light.
- Taxis can be called, but they will charge for the distance traveled to pick you up. The central number for all taxi companies: 01.45.30.30.30.
A few of the main dispatch companies:
- G7 - 01.41.27.66.99 (English speaking operator)
- Alpha - 01.45.85.85.85
- Taxis Bleus - 08.91.70.10.10
- The Paris city website lists rules and regulations concerning taxis.
back to top
SNCF, Train Stations
voyages-sncf.com
Gare du Nord Eurostar, northern French cities, Amsterdam, Brussels
Gare de lEst Strasbourg, eastern routes
Gare Saint-Lazare Northwestern routes
Gare de Lyon Southern routes
Gare Montparnasse Western routes
SNCF The SNCF is the national rail company. France has invested heavily in its rail system, and the train is a great way to get around for both long and short distances. The SNCF has networks of commuter and local trains that connect smaller towns and villages to the larger cities and crossroads. The high-speed TGV trains (
trains à grande vitesse) are renowned for their comfort and ease.
If you plan to be traveling often via train, it might be a good idea purchase a discount card. Different discounts apply depending on your age and residency status. You can buy them at train stations and SNCF boutiques. Be sure to bring an I.D. photo.
back to top
Paris from Airports
Paris airport information in English
Taxis
Available at stands at specific airport terminal exits:
CHARLES DE GAULLE/ROISSY
Terminal 1 - Sortie 20 at the arrival level
Terminal 2A & 2C - Sortie 6
Terminal 2B & 2D - Sortie 7
Terminal 2E & 2F - Sortie 1
Approximate cost to Paris Center: 50. Surcharges may apply depending on time and day, and heavy traffic delays will greatly increase the fare.
ORLY
Taxi stands are at the following locations:
- Paris-Orly Sud, Exit M
- Paris-Orly Ouest, Arrivals level, Exit I
Approximate cost to Paris Center: 35 surcharges may apply depending on time and day.
Public Transport
CHARLES DE GAULLE/ROISSY
The commuter train
RER B goes from CDG to central Paris. It can take between half an hour to an hour, depending on whether the train runs express or locally. It costs 9.25.
The
Roissybus runs between CDG and the Paris Opéra in 45-60 minutes and costs 10.
Air France Buses Line 2 between CDG and Porte Maillot/Place de lEtoile, 15. Line 4 between CDG and Gare Montparnasse/Gare de Lyon, 15.
ORLY
Bus + RER C
"Paris By Train" bus from Orly South Gate F and Orly West Gate G connects to the RER C at the Pont de Rungis station. The RER takes 25 minutes to the Gare dAusterlitz station in central Paris. 3.90 RER + 2.50 bus
Orlyval + RER B
Orlyval train from Orly South Gate K and Orly West Gate W connects to RER B at the Antony station. The RER takes 25 minutes to the Châtelet-Les-Halles station in central Paris. Combined ticket 10.75.
Orlybus
Leaves from Orly South Gate H and Orly West Gate G and goes to Denfert-Rochereau Métro station. Approximately 20-30 min, 6.90.
Air France Buses
Line 1: Between Orly South Gate L/Orly West Gate H and Etoile/Invalides/Montparnasse stops. Approximately 35 min, 11.50.
aeroportsdeparis.fr/Adp/en-GB/Passagers/
back to top
back to Paris from Airports
Disneyland Paris
disneylandparis.co.uk
Disneyland Paris is accessible by car or by commuter train
RER A (station Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy).
back to top
Versailles
- By train: the nearest station is Versailles Rive Gauche on Line C of the RER; the Palace is an 8-minute walk away.
- By bus from Paris: take bus n° 171 from Pont de Sèvres Métro station; the bus stop is just opposite the Palace.
