Taxis
You can take
them from taxi ranks (indicated by a square sign with Taxi in
white on a blue background) or hail one in the street (on
condition that it is available: the "Taxi" sign on the roof is
then fully lit, and the small lights under the sign are
switched off).
Some taxi
companies:
Taxi G7
:
33 (0) 1 47 39 47 39
Taxis Bleus:
0 891 70 10 10 (€0.22/min)
Aero Taxi
(for airport destinations): 33 (0) 1 47 39 01 47
01 Taxi:
33 (0) 1 49 17 01 01
Alpha Taxi:
33 (0) 1 45 85 85 85
To find out
about taxi charges throughout France consult the 'tariffs'
section of the website
http://www.artisan-taxi.com
Taxis are
only allowed to pick up from ranks (station de taxi) and you
should always check they have a meter. The fare depends on the
price and on the pick-up and the price per km.
If your ride takes you out of
town and for transfers from airports, check with the driver
before starting.
When called to pick up
passengers, taxis add the cost of that journey to the fare.
Extra fees for baggage, animals or a fourth person are
routine.
Tipping is customary but
completely at your discretion; generally 10% to 15% is
acceptable.
Several towns in France and also Paris have
metro or tram systems and most offer a fairly comprehensive
bus network. These means of transport serve the town centers
and inner suburbs. Fast and economical, they are the most
practical worry-free way to discover a town. In Paris the
metro is by far the quickest and most practical way of getting
about 15 lines and around 300 stations. The service usually
starts around 5.30am and ends around 12.30am. Numerous
connections with the RER (Regional express network) and the
SNCF railway stations allow easy travel to the suburbs
.
SNCF Line
(Paris outskirts): a ticket purchased from the outskirts to a
Paris railway station now also includes travel on the Paris
métro and bus.
Métro
1 metro or bus ticket: €1.30. Paris and its outskirts
are divided into zones. There are 8 different zones; you can
ask for a map of these zones at any metro and RER station,
they are available for free. 1 Book or 10 tickets carnet:
€9.60. Half price €4.80 for children from 4-10 years. Free
under 4.
Simple and safe, the Paris
metro runs daily from 5.30am to 12.30pm. Keep your ticket
handy ; you may be asked to show it to a transit inspector,
and tickets are sometimes needed to exit Metro turnstiles.
Basic Paris Visite
Passes-good for unlimited travel on Metro, bus and RER
suburban train lines-are available for one (€8), two (€14),
three (€18) and five (€27) days; Paris Visite Passes that
extend to the airports, Disneyland-Paris and Versailles are
€17, €27, €38 and €46.
Passes can be purchased at airports; the Paris Convention &
Visitors Bureau; Metro, RER and railway stations; and in the
US (ask your travel agent or tour operator).
www.ratp.fr
Buses: 1
ticket is now sufficient to cover any bus journey within Paris
(as on the métro). In the outskirts the longest lines only
require a maximum of 2 tickets. Generally, buses operate from
5.30am to 8.30pm. At night the Noctambus connects the centre
of Paris (Place du Châtelet amongst others) and the suburbs.
You can ask
for a map of the network (metro, bus, RER) at metro or RER
stations (issued free).
Information on regional and
Paris transport:
www.ratp.fr
Batobus
(Tour-Boat Shuttle)
From April to
October, the city of Paris operates a boat service on the
Seine river called Batobus, with stops at the Eiffel Tower,
Musee D’Orsay, Saint- Germain-des-pres (Quai Malaquais, on the
left Bank and opposite the Louvre), Notre-Dame, Hotel de
Ville, Louvre and Champs-Elysees. The fare is €3.50 for one
stop, €2 for each additional stop, €10 for an all-day pass
(€5.50 for children under 12); €12.50 for a two-day pass
(€6.50 for children 12). For information about Batobus, visit
http://www.batobus.com/.
The RER
The five lines (A, B, C, D and E) of the RER (Regional express
network) cross Paris and the Ile-de-France during the same
times as the metro.
Please note that outside
Paris ticket charges are not the same.
Ask at your
departure station for information.
For tourists:
Paris Visit Ticket is
valid for either 1,2,3 or 5 consecutive days and allows
unlimited travel in all zones of the whole network (metro,
bus, RER) and on the Montmartre Funicular.
Reduced price for children
aged between 4 and 11 years old.
COACHES
Eurolines is
the largest operator of scheduled coach services, offering
regular services to over 65 destinations from London. These
include Avignon, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Marseilles, Nantes, Paris
(up to 4 services daily), Perpignan, St Malo, Strasbourg,
Toulouse et Tours. Prices start at just £33 return. Connexions
are available from around 1200 UK cities on National Express.
www.gobycoach.com
