Could somebody please explain how the metro works in Paris?

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Baiocchi

Regarding the zones if you use the mÃ©tro you don't need to care about them because there's only type of ticket which zone 1-2.
But if you go beyond Paris with the RER service (suburban train) the further you go the more you pay (the last zone is number 8).

As for the mÃ©tro organization. You just have to pay attention to the direction signs to take the good way.
For example if you take the mÃ©tro station Concorde and want to get to Etoile with line 1 take "La DÃ©fense" direction.

You can buy day-pass or week-pass easily.

Check out the link below (anc click on International Passenger on the top for English) :
http://www.ratp.fr/

Have a nice trip :-)

Rillifane

Yes it is possible to buy an unlimited one day ticket. it is called a Mobilis and costs 5.50 euros for use in zones 1&2 which is what a tourist ought to get.

You didn't find it because they only describe it on the French language version of the RATP website.

You can buy it at any Metro ticket booth. Just say "mobilis" and hand them the exact amount and they'll figure out you want it for zones 1&2.

After you buy the mobilis you write your name on it and the date you will use it. It is then valid for travel of the metro, all bus lines, and the RER on that day. You can buy more than one and use them on successive days since the day they are good for is the day you write on them (i.e. you don't have to stop and buy one each day you can just buy as many as you will need for your stay.)

P.S. The Paris Visite pass is a bit of sharp practice to con tourists since it sells them something (zone 3) that they are not likely to have much use for).

P.P.S. Zones do not apply to the metro but do apply to BOTH the RER and the bus lines. All of central Paris (including the 12th arr.) is in Zone 1. The only time a tourist would travel beyond Zone 1 would probably be to go to Versailles which is in Zone 4.

P.P.P.S. The part of the RATP site you are citing to describes the single ticket price and the price for a "carnet" which is just discounted price for buying ten tickets at a time (which, as you see, brings the price down to 1.09 euros per ticket). So on any day when you expect to be on public transport five times or less, you're better off just buying the "carnet." rather than the mobilis. (The "reduced fare" is for the elderly).

My own experience is that Paris is such a great city for walking that on many days I never use the RATP. Then again I stay in hotels within a few minutes of the exact center of the city while you are apparently staying in the 12th which is slightly further away.

David

Zones only apply to the RER- the regional express network. They're not applicable for the mÃ©tro. The RER zones can be viewed at http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan.php?loc=reseaux&nompdf=zones&fm=gif&lang=ang&partenaire=

I would recommend going to http://ratp.fr/ and then simply clicking at the top where it says "International passengers". Once you've done that, simply click on the British flag for the English site. The "Travel Pass" and "Occasional Travelling" links at the left of that pages should be especially useful.

Have a great trip!

wifieinstrife

Hi there, you will probably get the best benefit by purchasing a Viste Ticket. See the information on the link below.

Have a wonderful time! :-)

misspimousse

if you are travelling for 3 days, then the best thing to do is to buy a "paris-visite" card. it allows you unlimited travel.
it will cost you 18.60 euros for 3 days if you're only travelling within zones 1 to 3. for zones 1 to 5, it's 38.10 euros.
charles de gaulle airport is in zone 5, an a single ticket from the airport to paris costs 8.10 euros.
so depending on how many trips you take, it might be worth it to just buy two singles to the airport (total 16.20 euros), plus a one-day (8.50 euros) or 2-day (13.95) paris-visite card for zones 1-3.
on the ratp website is a zone map, too so check that out :)
good luck and enjoy your stay!

ravey

one metro ticket is 1.40 euros and will last one trip

if you buy 10 at a time, it comes to about 11 euros, therefore cheaper in the long run

to got to the airport costs about 7.50 euros and the train is called an RER its like the metro only a bit bigger, kind of like the tube and the chiltern line in london.

to go to the airport costs more but just to use the RER in paris costs the same as the metro and uses the same tickets.

a day pass is about 6 euros and works in the centre or anything, including buses, and a sweek pass is 25 euros. however, this does not include trips to the airport

to buy a day pass or week pas s you need a passport siez photo of yourself to stick on it.

have fun !

pete m

its easier to forget about the RER and just use then metro.take line 1(yellow) it basically travels out of la defense and along the champs elysees to chateau de vincennes,there are a few main junctions on the line such as concorde,chatelet and gare de lyon where you can travel nth or sth.you can travel anywhere on the metro network for 1.40â‚¬ or a buy 10 tickets for 10.90â‚¬ if you plan to use it often,better if your just a tourist.hope it helps and BON VOYAGE!!!!!

essonne.image

There is a more realistic danger of pickpockets on the mÃ©tro than on RER trains. The Roissybus is fine, but there is only a limited space for luggage compared to that on the train.

Also make sure you keep any money or valuables in an inside pocket or in a bum bag when using the mÃ©tro. Most pickpockets work by distraction and many are young children.

You might find the site below of interest for your stay. Have a nice visit to Paris!

radioflyer57

I would not take the RER-B to and from CDG, there are lots of pickpickets and it's a pain to haul suitcases up and down stairs between the metro and RER. Try the Roissybus, which costs the same as the RER and departs from OpÃ©ra and a couple of other different places in the middle of Paris and goes directly to the terminal.
http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/aeroport_roissybus.php?partenaire=

If you are not planning on going outside the city during your three days, you should be fine with just a regular carnet de tickets; they all valid for everywhere in the city.

Hope this helps!

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