So it’s been a while since I’ve updated last. I’ve sucessfully left Paris, entered Spain and have month and a half left. So now for Paris tips. My second home and the city I can’t stop going back to (seriously, I’ve visited twice since I’ve left!)
When coming into the city, you will have a choice of three airports:
This is easily the biggest and has the easiest access to the city. For first timers, I reccomend coming through here. In order to get to the city, you can take the RER B. Without a Navigo pass (which I will explain later) it is €10 to get into the city and €1.80 to get to the airport. It does have all the big budget airlines, but it may not be as cheap as....
This airport to the south of Paris may be a little bit cheaper to get to. You can use your Navigo pass to get on the OrlyBus, but that will be your only way to get into and out of the city.
Honestly, I don’t recommend that you use this airport. It is hard to get to and might cost you more getting into the city than your extraordinary savings on the flight....
SO....congratulations! You made it into the city or are at the airport! Now you probably need to buy metro tickets. Here’s a quick guide.
There are several modes of transportation around the city
Metro: Subway that runs from the inside of Paris, until about Zone 2
Buses: Urban buses run typically through Zones 1 and 2, but I find the metro easier for first timers
Night Buses: Only use these as a last resort and only with a friend. It can get a little sketchy and any study abroad program will tell you not to use them entirely
Trams:Generally around the periphique (roadway that surrounds Paris) these are super slow, but useful
RER: This is mostly a commuter train for those that live outside the periphique. The only way to get to the Palace of Versailles and how you will get into the city from Charles de Gaulle airport
All tickets can be used for all modes of transportation: Buses, night buses, metro, trams, and the RER all use the same type of ticket, so that makes life easier
Ticket prices for one way tickets depend on the zone of departure:
Zone 1 tickets (inside the periphique or roadway that surrounds Paris) will run you €1.80, where as zone 5 tickets (at the airports or the Palace of Versailles) will run you €10.
You can also buy a one day pass for those under 25 years of age
Zones 1-3 will cost you around €3.75. This is good if you are staying in the city to take in only the sites in Zone 1.
If you plan to leave the city, most likely to see Versailles, I reccomend getting a day pass for zones 1-5, but be warned that this pass will not work on the airports! This pass will run you around €8.25.
If you will arrive before 9PM on a Thursday, I reccomend most of all getting a Navigo pass. This rechargeable card will allow you to use the transportation system at will for the length of time you buy it for. (And it even works at the airport!) The price of the card is €5 and you will need a passport sized photo to tape to the front of the card. You can buy the card at any info desk or at the airport.
For a week, zones 1-5 is €21.25
The machines will reset for the following week on Fridays, so you need to get to the machine on Thursday if you intend to use the pass!
For a month, zones 1-5 is €70
When having a fun time out, do keep in mind that while the night bus is there for you, the metro has more coverage and is not as sketchy. The metro closes at 1AM weekdays, 2AM on weekends, but always opens at 5AM.
If you are looking for accurate times, the shortest way to get somewhere or just need some general information, you should download the RATP app on Google Play or the App Store. This handy app will let you know when the next transport thing is coming as well as give you routes and maps offline to use. Super handy!
So you now know how to get around, but how should you behave?
When on the metro, put on an apathetic face, and stare into the abyss. Or read something.
Prepare to be scandalized on the metro after 10
There are some odd things going on.
But it is rather simple to get around Paris. Next time we’ll talk about what to do when you get there!
