What's the easiest way to get around paris?

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Rillifane

Paris has the best public transportation system in the world.

The Metro (subway), RER (commuter rail), buses and trams are all part of a unified system that is very easy to use and relatively inexpensive.

The transportation grid is so dense that there is no address in Paris proper that is more than 600 meters from a station or bus stop.

Paris is also a very compact city which means that in many instances a tourist will find that walking is the most pleasant and rapid way of getting from one sight to another.

Nic B

ON FOOT for distances up to 1.5km in the city centre. By the time you've found the Metro station, gone down to the correct platform, got on a train... and then repeated the process at your destination, you could have walked there - in 20 minutes or less. Plus you'll appreciate more of the architecture and sights, and the individual character of the different arrondisements (city divisions).

For journeys over 1.5km or so and trips to the outer arrondisements or suburbs, Metro beats bus most of the time. Bus is good at night though, when traffic hold-ups are less of a problem.

Top tip: get an accurate street map, not the flimsy scrap most hotels hand out to guests.

Mrs. Peter Petrelli

Metro - Its easy to understand
I would buy A Three Day Pass Or A Week Pass. Its About 20 euros i think but you can go on the metro as many times in those days in certain regions instead of paying for every journy. Much cheaper idea.

paixfpn

the metro is very good in Paris. the only problem with it is that not all metro stops have elevators, which can be a pain if you have heavy suitcases.

hiring a car/taking taxis adds up quickly--stick to the metro and walking

Graham I

The easiest way to get around Paris is to use the Boulevard PÃ©riphÃ©rique, which goes all the way around ;-) If you want to get around IN Paris, however, I recommend the MÃ©tro.

sashmead2001

Metro. There are 200 stops in a 14 square mile city. There are also buses and trams, and day tickets can be used on any three of these forms of transport. Velib is fun, but it can be scary if you're not used to Parisian drivers. The buses, although slower and often more difficult to work out offer good views of the city, while the metro is mainly underground (except parts of lines 6 - which offers a great view of the Eiffel Tower when it crosses the Seine) and line 2. It's also easy to walk around Paris, although in winter it can be cold, and more than five minutes outside becomes uncomfortable.

Buy your tickets from the desks at the metro stops, not the automated machines as you can ask the person there what the best options are, especially if you're thinking of going outside of Paris. You can also buy passes for tourist buses and boats.

Have fun in Paris if you're going.

Alice

Definitely by the metro and RER.

I went to Paris about 3 weeks ago with my mum, for each day we used the automated machines in the metro stations to give you a book of ten tickets for about 18 euros. You use them for each journey and they cover the metro and RER train lines in the central Paris.

We also tried the free bikes "Velib" 's which were a lot of fun!

suubz18

Metro :D

Josef K

Get a Metro rail card, very cheap, and reliable, if you are elderly folk always get up for you, to let you sit down, the system is easy to understand.

Sodem O

I would recommend a combination of Metro and Velib.

A one day pass for Velib costs just 1 euro (or you can get a one week pass for 5 euros). These are the rent-bikes. You just pick one up at a stand and then leave it at any other Velib stand. Provided no individual ride is longer than half an hour, then that is all you pay. If you want to go to have a drink, meal, museum etc, then just leave the bike at a stand and pick up another when you come out. You can buy the pass from the machine at the stands using a credit card (a UK Maestro/Switch card works fine, I find). No photos needed.

If it's raining, or you don't feel up to pedalling, then use the metro. A one day pass (also valid on the buses) costs just under 6 euros. N o photos needed.

Zoe G

By metro; for the most part it's pretty reliable, on time, and such. They also have a lot of bicycle stations where you can rent a bike, but I don't know how you'd feel about that what with it being so cold now.

xalynn

as everyone says, metro is one of the handiest way to get around paris, apart from walking (yes, it's quite doable to walk everywhere, especially within the inner city area). if you're taking metro, i would advise buying t-tickets in set of 10 (ie a carnet of tickets). there are certain lines which even allow transfer to buses for free. within zone 1, unless you're doing more than 4-5 journeys per day, the day pass is not worth it.

one thing that no one seems to have mention is the velib. it's a nearly-free bike hire system installed everywhere in paris. the "membership" cost is very reasonable, and as long as you check the bike in within 30 minutes of taking one out (you can check another one out immediately after you check in) there will not be additional charges incurred.

http://www.en.velib.paris.fr/comment_ca_marche

of course, be safe, and have fun in paris.

gary o

I agree......Metro

astropox

pogo stick

wandering soul.

If you can hire a car and driver.

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