| Traveling in a new place is usually not an easy | | | | main streets, hotel or the stations. Most of the |
| task. It would be much better to utilize your | | | | taxi drivers are very familiar with the streets, and |
| traveling time more efficiently if you could have a | | | | they could take you to your destination as long as |
| more understanding on the transportation facilities | | | | you could mention you address clearly. Please be |
| of your destination. This article introduces four | | | | aware that the front seat is not for passenger, |
| types of transportation facilities in Paris which | | | | and one taxi could take 3 passengers in principal. |
| gives travelers to have a more in-depth | | | | 3. Public Bus |
| understanding on Paris's transportation services. | | | | Most of the Paris residents like to take the public |
| 1. Metro and RER | | | | bus, but it seems to be quite difficult for tourists |
| Metro is the subway in the city while the RER | | | | as they may not recognize the place to take off. |
| (Reseau Express Regional) is the railway in the | | | | However, you could enjoy the street scenery in |
| rural area. The subway service of Paris is started | | | | taking the bus whereas the subway could not |
| in 1900. Up to the present moment, there are 13 | | | | offer. Please be aware that you have to buy the |
| routes of subway and 4 routes of RER with total | | | | ticket rather than just put the coins in. If you do |
| 367 stations which covers most parts of Paris. | | | | not have a ticket, you have to tell the driver your |
| Therefore, if you could get used to the subway | | | | destination, buy the ticket and put in the ticket |
| systems of Paris, it would be much leisure to | | | | cutter. Actually, you could use the subway ticket |
| travel around without any difficulties. The ticket | | | | in taking the bus. You could just show your |
| fair inside city is unified as 7 Frs. for a single trip | | | | fixed-time subway ticket to the driver and you |
| (billet). Ten- piece ticket booklet (carnet) is | | | | could get on and take off at any station you like. |
| charged at 41 Frs. Besides, there is a Paris-Visite | | | | There is no station broadcasting service inside the |
| Billet which is specially designed for tourists. It is a | | | | bus and you have to ring the bell in advance |
| pass for subway, RER and bus within a pre-set | | | | before taking off. Therefore, it is suggested to |
| period of time. If you are staying in Paris for a | | | | take a bus road map at the information counter in |
| longer period of time, you could choose to use | | | | the subway station, and find out the bus station |
| the monthly ticket or the weekly ticket so that | | | | name of your destination before you take the |
| you take the subway, RER and bus whenever | | | | bus. |
| you like. Please be reminded that you have to | | | | 4. Tourist Ferry (Bateaux-Paris-ens) |
| take with you a personal photo (27 mm x 30 | | | | Departure pier is at the Pont d'Iena which is near |
| mm) in applying the fixed-time ticket in the station | | | | the Eiffel Tower. The cruise services could be |
| (guichet). Besides, it should be aware that the | | | | divided as with and without meal provided. A |
| effective period of the monthly ticket is fixed | | | | single trip without meal provided is about 45 Frs. |
| from the first day to the last day of the month, | | | | and the service hours are 10:00- 22:00 in summer |
| and likewise Monday to Sunday for the weekly | | | | time (depart in every 30 minutes) whereas |
| ticket. Therefore, you should count on the date | | | | 10:00-18:00 in wintertime (depart in every 1 hour). |
| when you buy the fixed-time ticket that how | | | | A lunch provided trip is about 300 Frs., departs at |
| much the effective period is remaining. | | | | 12:30 while a dinner provided trip is about 550 Frs. |
| 2. Taxi | | | | departs at 20:30. Passenger must make advance |
| Taxi is the most convenient transportation as you | | | | booking for the meal provided cruise service and |
| could take it in any place. Usually it is easier to get | | | | with formal attire on the trip. |
| the taxi in the taxi station (Tete de Taxi) in the | | | | |