How good is the public transportation in Paris? Will I be near a metro station?
The Paris metro and bus system (RATP) is amazingly efficient. Our apartments are all within a 5 minute walk of the closest metro station. Metro service begins around 5 am and continues until 1 am on week nights, and about an hour later on Friday and Saturday nights. You can also take the bus with the same tickets you use for the metro not only is it a good way to get around, but you also get an above-ground view of your route. For tickets, you’ve got a few options. If you plan on using public transportation some but not a lot, a carnet (10 tickets) offers a price break off of the single ticket price, and is easy to get at a ticket window or vending machine. If you plan to use the metro a bit more, they have come out with an option called “Paris Visite,” which is a travel pass you can purchase for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days. There is much more information online (and in several languages) at www.ratp.fr – you can click the little British flag on the top right-hand corner for English.
