Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOURIST PASSES
The Mobilis and Paris Visite passes are valid on the metro, RER, SNCF's suburban lines,
buses, night buses, trams and Montmartre funicular railway. No photo is needed, but write
your card number on the ticket. Passes are sold at larger metro and RER stations, SNCF of-
fices in Paris, and the airports.
The Mobilis card allows unlimited travel for one day and costs €6.80 (two zones) to €16.10
(five zones). Buy it at any metro, RER or SNCF station in the Paris region. Depending on
how many times you plan to hop on/off the metro in a day, a
carnet
might work out cheaper.
Paris Visite allows unlimited travel as well as discounted entry to certain museums and oth-
er discounts and bonuses. The 'Paris+Suburbs+Airports' pass includes transport to/from the
airports and costs €22.85/34.70/48.65/59.50 for one/two/three/five days. The cheaper 'Paris
Centre' pass, valid for zones 1 to 3, costs €10.85/17.65/24.10/34.70 for one/two/three/five
days. Children aged four to 11 years pay half price.
Bicycle
Vélib'
60min/90min/2hr free/€1/2/4) bike share scheme puts 20,000-odd bikes at the disposal of
Parisians and visitors to get around the city. There are some 1800 stations throughout the
city, each with anywhere from 20 to 70 bike stands. The bikes are accessible around the
clock.
To get a bike, you first need to purchase a one-/seven-day subscription (€1.70/8). There are
two ways to do this: either at the terminals found at docking stations or online.
The terminals require a credit card with an embedded smartchip - this means the majority of
North Americans cannot subscribe here. But fret not because you can purchase a subscrip-
tion online. Just be sure to do this before you leave your hotel.
After you authorise a refundable deposit (€150) to pay for the bike should it go missing,
you'll receive an ID number and PIN code and you're ready to go.
Bikes are rented in 30-minute intervals: the first half-hour is free, the second is €2, the third
and each additional half-hour are €4. If you return a bike before a half-hour is up and then
take a new one, you will not be charged.
