Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ers only central Paris; a monthly pass is available that covers trips to regional destinations
such as Versailles.
To use the Navigo, whether at a Métro turnstile or on the bus, touch the card to the
purple pad, wait for the green validation light and the “ding,” and you're on your way.
Navigo or
Carnet
?
It's hard to beat the
carnet.
Two 10-packs of
carnets
—enough
for most travelers staying a week—cost €26.60, are shareable, and don't expire. Though
similar in price, the Passe Navigo is more of a hassle to buy, cannot be shared, and only
becomes worthwhile forvisitors whostay a full week (ormore), start their trip early in the
week (on a Monday or Tuesday), and use the system a lot.
Other Passes:
A handy one-day bus/Métro pass (called
Mobilis
) is available for
€6.60. If you are under 26 and in Paris on a Saturday or Sunday, you can buy an unlimited
daily transit pass called
Ticket Jeunes Week-end
for the unbeatable price of €3.65. The
overpriced
Paris Visite
passes are poorly designed for tourists and offer minor reductions
at minor sights (1 day-€10.55, 2 days-€17.15, 3 days-€23.40, 5 days-€33.70).
By Métro
In Paris, you're never more than a 10-minute walk from a Métro station. Europe's best
subway system allows you to hop from sight to sight quickly and cheaply (runs Sun-
Thu 5:30-24:30, Fri-Sat 5:30-2:00 in the morning,
www.ratp.fr
)
. Learn to use it. Begin by
studyingthecolorMétromapatthebeginningofthisbook(alsofreeatMétrostationsand
included on freebie Paris maps at your hotel).
