Getting around in Paris > Reviews > Open-topped bus and Metro

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around

Advantages:	Saves a lot of money and effort
Disadvantages:	Metro can be crowded and have to watch for thieves

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I recently spent a weekend in Paris and found the two easiest ways to get around where to use the open-topped tourist bus and the Metro.

The bus cost around £12 but that was for 2 days and unlimited travel. It stops at all the best sites - Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysee, The Louvre, Notre Dame to name but a few. If you didnt know your way round Paris this is the ideal way to see everything - the whole tour is circular and takes about 2 hours but you can get off at every stop and then just get the next bus that comes along (as little as 15 mins sometimes)There is a lot of walking to be done and its saves a lot of sore legs!!!

The Metro is great - even if you dont understand French the maps they give you are very good- as long as you get on the train that has the right destination on the front you cant go wrong (although I did by mixing up the stations Place D'Italie and Porte D'Italie!!! - remember which station you left from!!!) I got a pass called a Paris Visite - you can get it at any Metro station and if you get it for zones 1-3 that will take you all over Paris - you can use it as many times as you like and it also saves having to speak to ticket sellers all the time if you are like me and dont know a lot of French. You can also use it on the buses and RER trains. It was about £7 for 2 days and was well worth it.

A word of warning - the Metro is famous for pickpockets so hold onto your bags/wallets!