Traveling to a new place is usually not an easy task. It would be much better to use your travel time more efficiently if you could better understand your destination’s transportation facilities. This article introduces four types of means of transport in Paris, allowing travelers to have a deeper understanding of Paris transport services.
1. Metro and RER
The metro is the city metro, while the RER (Reseau Express Regional) is the railway in the rural area. The Paris metro service started in 1900. So far, there are 13 metro routes and 4 RER routes with a total of 367 stations covering most of Paris. Therefore, if you could get used to the Paris metro systems, it would be very pleasant to travel without difficulties. The ticket fair within the city is unified as 7 Frs. for a single trip (ticket). The ten-piece ticket (carnet) is charged at 41 Frs. In addition, there is a Paris-Visite Billet specially designed for tourists. It is a pass for metro, RER and bus within a pre-established period of time. If you are going to stay in Paris for a longer period of time, you can choose to use the monthly ticket or the weekly ticket to take the metro, the RER and the bus whenever you want. Remember to bring a personal photo (27mm x 30mm) in the fixed time ticket application at the station (guichet). In addition, it should be noted that the validity of the monthly ticket is set from the first day to the last day of the month, and also from Monday to Sunday for the weekly ticket. Therefore, you must have the date you buy the fixed-time ticket and how long the effective period remains.
2. Taxi
Taxi is the most convenient means of transportation, as you can take it anywhere. It is usually easier to take a taxi at the taxi station (Tete de Taxi) on the main streets, the hotel or the stations. Most taxi drivers are very familiar with the streets and will be able to take you to your destination as long as you can clearly mention your address. Please note that the front seat is not for passengers and that a taxi can carry a maximum of 3 passengers.
3. Public bus
Most of the residents of Paris like to take the public bus, but it seems to be quite difficult for tourists, as they may not recognize the place to take off. However, you can enjoy the street scenery by taking the bus, whereas the metro cannot offer it. Note that you have to buy the ticket instead of just putting the coins in. If you don’t have a ticket, you need to tell the driver your destination, buy the ticket, and attach the ticket cutter. In fact, you could use the subway ticket to take the bus. You can simply show your fixed-time metro ticket to the driver and they can get on and off at any station they want. There is no station relay service inside the bus and you must ring the bell in advance before take off. Therefore, it is suggested to take a bus road map at the information desk of the metro station and find out the name of the bus station of your destination before taking the bus.
4. Tourist ferry (Bateaux-Paris-ens)
The departure dock is at the Pont d’Iena, which is close to the Eiffel Tower. Cruise services can be divided with and without food. A single trip without food is approximately 45 Frs. and the service hours are from 10:00 to 22:00 in summer (departure every 30 minutes) while from 10:00 to 18:00 in winter (departure every 1 hour). A trip with lunch is approximately 300 Frs., Departures at 12:30 while a trip with dinner is approximately 550 Frs. 8:30 pm departures The passenger must make an advance reservation for the cruise service provided with food and with a formal attraction on the trip.
