Getting Around Paris

Hanley

Hey all,

CLIFF NOTE VERSION
-5 day Paris Visite card, zones 1-6, worth €47??
-Paris for 6 days
-In addition to Metro, going to Disneyland and Versailles, need to get from CDG airport to Bercy both ways too
-Discounts on other Paris attractions we'll be visiting


THE LONG VERSION
I'm off to Paris on Tuesday for 6 days with my girlfriend and was just wondering what the best way of getting around was... I've been to Paris a few times so I know how to use the Metro etc, but in addition to that we plan on hitting Disneyland and Versailles so I don't think a carnet of tickets would be the best option.

I'm thinking the 5 day Paris Visite card for zone's 1-6 would be about the best option. It's fairly expensive at €47 but by the time we pay for trains to both Versailles and Disneyland and get metro tickets as well, it should work out quite a bit cheaper?

I haven't been able to find train prices for either of the two places mentioned above, but I think metro tickets would work out at approx €28 on their own (assuming 4 metro trips per day - 2 carnets and 4 single tickets). In addition you get a load of discounts with the Paris Visite ticket to places we're likely to be going (L'Arc de Triomphe, bus tours, Seine cruise and a 10% discount in Galeries Lafayette).

Thanks!!

cute_cow

I always use the Paris Viste card if going for longer than 3 days.

You can pick it up at the airport, and is def worth getting if going to Disneyland and Versailles.

You will have to buy a ticket either to go into Paris, or back to the airport as it is only a 5 day ticket, but def worth it IMO.

Hanley

cute_cow wrote: »

I always use the Paris Viste card if going for longer than 3 days.

You can pick it up at the airport, and is def worth getting if going to Disneyland and Versailles.

How much is the train to Disneyland and Versailles anyway? I can't seem to find prices anywhere.

You will have to buy a ticket either to go into Paris, or back to the airport as it is only a 5 day ticket, but def worth it IMO.

Lol. Oops!! You're dead right.

cute_cow

I know its a pain when you are there for 6 days with a 5 day card. We
were very lucky the last time we were there, met a couple just as we were queuing for the visite card and they had 2 days left on it, so we ended up still buying the 5 day and had the 2 days that they gave us!

I have searched and its very difficult to find the costs of the trains to Versailles and Disneyland. Timetables - yes, prices - no!! From looking at some travel websites, I have noticed most people going to both say that they got the Carte Visite as it is far handier than trying to ask at the stations, as the majority speak very poor english.

Have also noticed that an Irish Guy on Tripadvisor went to Versailles a couple of weeks back and was really disappointed with it, more so fromm the queues, and the crowds in the castle itself. So bear in mind that it probably will be crowded, but its well morth it, even for just the gardens alone!!

Where are you staying whn you are there? The hotel we normally book have been booked out for the week in October we are going for!! So unfortunate, so looking for another hotel now, but have a few in mind!

Hanley

cute_cow wrote: »

I know its a pain when you are there for 6 days with a 5 day card. We
were very lucky the last time we were there, met a couple just as we were queuing for the visite card and they had 2 days left on it, so we ended up still buying the 5 day and had the 2 days that they gave us!

I have searched and its very difficult to find the costs of the trains to Versailles and Disneyland. Timetables - yes, prices - no!! From looking at some travel websites, I have noticed most people going to both say that they got the Carte Visite as it is far handier than trying to ask at the stations, as the majority speak very poor english.

Have also noticed that an Irish Guy on Tripadvisor went to Versailles a couple of weeks back and was really disappointed with it, more so fromm the queues, and the crowds in the castle itself. So bear in mind that it probably will be crowded, but its well morth it, even for just the gardens alone!!

Where are you staying whn you are there? The hotel we normally book have been booked out for the week in October we are going for!! So unfortunate, so looking for another hotel now, but have a few in mind!

I went to Disneyland via train last time I was in Paris like 4 years ago, so I can't for the life of me remember how much it cost. I've a feeling it was circa 20 lids tho.

Last time I was at Versaille the queues weren't THAT bad, maybe they've gotten worse tho. I wonder if there are any days that are less likely to be busy than others? Anyway, even if it does take a while to get in, it's DEFINITELY worth it alright. It's so totally different to anything we have in Ireland.

We're staying in the The Hotel Ibis in Bercy. I haven't been there befoe but my girlfriend stayed there when she was in Paris last year, it's meant to be quite a nice spot with easy enough access to the centre.

We booked it about 2 months in advance I think, and evne then we were struggling to get rooms. We really did struggle to find anywhere.

Ponster

cute_cow wrote: »

I have searched and its very difficult to find the costs of the trains to Versailles and Disneyland. Timetables - yes, prices - no!! From looking at some travel websites, I have noticed most people going to both say that they got the Carte Visite as it is far handier than trying to ask at the stations, as the majority speak very poor english.

www.ratp.fr for all prices of Paris trains/metros/buses

CDG -> Paris is ~€8.10 on RER. Taxi is €30 to the edge of the city.

Paris -> Eurodisney is ~€7.50

Paris -> Versailles is ~€7.50

So if you play on going to Disney and Versailles and are flying to and from CDG you'll pay about €46 for individual tickets.

Hanley

Ponster wrote: »

www.ratp.fr for all prices of Paris trains/metros/buses

CDG -> Paris is ~€8.10 on RER. Taxi is €30 to the edge of the city.

Paris -> Eurodisney is ~€7.50

Paris -> Versailles is ~€7.50

So if you play on going to Disney and Versailles and are flying to and from CDG you'll pay about €46 for individual tickets.

And that's WITHOUT metro tickets....?? Looks like the Paris Vistie card's definitely the best option.

Ponster

It sure does. I've never bought it as I have a monthly pass but if you're 'doing' CDG/Versailles and Disney then it's almost always the best option.

Hanley

Ponster wrote: »

It sure does. I've never bought it as I have a monthly pass but if you're 'doing' CDG/Versailles and Disney then it's almost always the best option.

Sweet. That's what I'll be doing so!!

Anyone got any "must do's" while we're there....??

So far my list includes;
-Disneyland
-Versailles
-The Eifel Tower
-Arc De Triomphe
-Bus Tour
-Seine Cruise
-Notre Damne
-Montmarte
-The Louvre
-The George Pompidu Centre

Ponster

The only 'lust do' is to not 'do' too much. Paris is an hour away from Ireland. Rather than filling the time here with a fully planned trip take some time to just sit in a cafe and people-watch and leave things for next time.

The Louvre will take 2-3 weeks to visit fully; George Pompidu Centre is better on the outside than inside.

Hanley

Ponster wrote: »

The only 'lust do' is to not 'do' too much. Paris is an hour away from Ireland. Rather than filling the time here with a fully planned trip take some time to just sit in a cafe and people-watch and leave things for next time.

Lol true. Most of the stuff there's only gonna take an hour so tho anyway....

The Louvre will take 2-3 weeks to visit fully; George Pompidu Centre is better on the outside than inside.

Neither of us are huge art fans, but The Louvre's a nice place to just spend an afternoon strolling around if nothing else!! And I was thinking that the George Pompidu Centre is probably better on the outside than the inside alright....

olaola

I agree with Ponster - I love mooching around Paris, going from cafe to cafe - eating and drinking! St Germain, Marais, Montmartre, Rive Gauche... The bike rental scheme is a must, you'll fly around all your favourite sites.

Ponster

Yeah, the new bike to rent are excellent. Designed for short rentals, you pay €2 (I think) and the bike is free for 30 minutes. Drop it back to any of the several hundred stations and then get another one out; all for the same €2.