Getting Around in Paris

Paris is well equipped in the area of public transport, which is administered by the state owned company RATP. The easiest way to get around Paris is by the metro (subway) which runs daily from 5:30am-12:30am. Transportation maps are available at subway stations. Tickets can be purchased singly or in books of 10. They are available at the stations and from tobacconists and must be validated before boarding.
It is also necessary to have the ticket available at the end of the journey. The best buy is a Paris Viste ticket which is valid for 1-5 days and can be used interchangeably on the subway, bus and rail service to some destinations. Buses run daily from 6:30am-8:30pm. The RER (Réseau Express Régional) suburban express network has five lines (A, B, C and D) covering five zones and running from 0500-0000. The system is linked by the métro network and some SNCF trains. From May-September the Batobus takes passengers on sight seeing trips on the Seine. This boat runs between the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame daily from 10-7 with stops at the main attractions: 01 44 11 33 44. Taxis can be hailed from the street or from one of the 470 stands around the city. An illuminated light on the roof indicates that the cab is available.
Some Tips to Travel in Paris
1. Buy a Paris Visite card before you leave home. Similar to the London Travelcard, this pass gives you unlimited travel on the m�tro and RER trains and SNCF Ile-de-France buses, as well as the bus parisiens (RATP) networks. Fares vary, depending on the number of zones you need to cover.
2. Purchase metro tickets in a booklet, or carnet de billets, of 10. Not only will this save you money, but you won’t have to stand in line for tickets as often.
3. Walk whenever possible. Paris is a very large city, so you probably won’t be able to walk everywhere you want to go, but do explore the city on foot as much as you can.
4. Get a detailed street map of Paris that shows the city divided into its neighborhoods, or arrondissements. Also carry a pocket metro map to help you plan longer trips.
5. Carry a French phrase book with you, and learn a few helpful phrases. This will be useful if you need to ask for directions, because it may be difficult to find an English-speaking Parisian who can help you.
6. Take a Paris L’Open bus tour, offered at a discount to Paris Visite cardholders. Although it’s not exactly cheap, it’s a good way to see the city, because you can get on or off the tour as many times as you like along the way and catch a later bus when you are ready to carry on. Commentary is in English and French, and the full journey lasts two hours and 15 minutes.
7. Ride the Noctambus line if you plan to be out late at night; this bus line covers most of Paris and the surrounding area and operates between 1:00 and 5:30 a.m.
Warnings:
Avoid traveling during the morning or evening rush hour; the métro and buses can be uncomfortably crowded.
Like many other subway systems around the world, the métro is a favorite hangout of pickpockets; keep your valuables in a money belt, and be alert to the people and activities that surround you.
When you get on the métro, you will need to be sure you are headed in the right direction. Often, this means knowing the name of the station at each end of the line. Keep a pocket métro map so that you can figure this out before you have to rush onto a train.
Avoid driving in Paris; it’s congested, difficult to park and very easy to get lost.
(Phone numbers and timings are subject to change)