Overview of TokyoTransportationParis is the center of a national, complex transport system. The modern system has been superimposed on a complex map of streets and wide boulevards that were set in their current routes in the 19th century. On a national level, it is the center of a web of road and railway, and at a more local level, it is covered with a dense mesh of bus, tram and metro service networks. Metro Paris's most-frequented public transport is the Métro, across 16 lines with closely spaced stations. The metro connects between any capital quarter to any other, and a few lines extend quite far into the suburbs. The Métro is the cheapest, easiest, and fastest way to get around Paris. Metros start running every day - including public holidays - at around 6am and stop at around 12:45 am (from Sunday to Thursday) or at 1:45 am (on Friday and Saturday). The frequency at which metros run depends on the time and day: at peak hours, metros run every 2 minutes. Metro tickets cost € 1.90 each (€18.60 for 10). You can buy tickets at automatic ticket machines in metro stations, in tobacconists and on the website ParisInfo.com Buses There are 64 bus lines, and many buses go through the center of the city, along the banks of the Seine, and through historic districts. Bus lines run alongside and complement the metro network and installation of special bus lanes along main roads has improved journey times. For an idea of your journey time, allow around 5 minutes per stop, sometimes more if the traffic is busy. Buses operate Monday to Saturday from around 7 am until 8:30 pm and some lines operate in the evening between 8:30 pm and 12:30 am. Some bus lines operate on Sundays and public holidays for those buses departing from stations or serve major metro/RER interchanges. The line number and direction are indicated on the front of the bus, above the driver's compartment, and on the sides of the bus. Put your hand out at the bus stop to indicate to the bus driver to stop. At bus stops, electronic display signs indicate the waiting time for the next bus to arrive. Bus stops are also sometimes equipped with USB ports for you to recharge your smartphone. Bus stops comprise either of glass shelters or simple poles. They display the number of the bus lines serving the stop and a map of the bus routes followed. They also display the time of the first and last bus in service, as well as the average frequency at which buses serve the stop. RER (Suburban Express Railway) The RER train network consists of 5 lines that serve Paris and the Paris region (Ile-de-France). Each line has a distinctive color that is shown on RATP and SNCF signs and maps. RER trains start running at approximately 6am and stop running at around 12:45 am daily including public holidays. Within Paris, the RER operates in more or less the same way as the metro, except that you need to put your ticket through the automatic barriers a second time on the way out. If your RER station has a connection with the metro, you can use the same ticket for the whole journey. Taxis Taxis are a good way to get around Paris At official taxi stands you can sometimes find a cab already waiting, or you can wait there for the next one. Any good map of Paris should indicate where taxi stands are. To spot an available taxi look for a cab with a bright light on top. That indicates the taxi is ready for customers. At the airports and the train stations there are always taxi valets that wave the line forward and point you to your taxi. It's very civilized, there's no crowding or shoving. The meter starts at about 2.20 € and the minimum fare is about 6 €. There's also something called an approach price. This applies when you arrange for a taxi to come to your hotel or apartment. You will be charged for the journey to get to you. Taxis in Paris generally do not take credit cards, so be prepared to pay in cash. If you do want to try to pay with a credit card from the airport, always ask the cab driver if they accept cartes bancaires before you jump in. But, to avoid problems, try to make sure you bring about 100€ with you to Paris. Taken from wikipedia.com Feedback We welcome any questions, feedback, or suggestions you may have regarding this website or other resources. Please contact us. |
