Paris Tips
We will do everything possible not only to ensure that you make the most of your time in Paris but also that your experience is as effortless as possible. To this end, once your booking with Pad à Terre is confirmed, we shall send you a copy of our Apartment Guide, specifically written for your apartment. This document covers not only all practical issues related to your apartment rental, yet also tips on where to shop, eat and what to do! This guide is by no means exhaustive, thus we hope that the following information may also be of use during your stay with us in Paris.
Airport Transfers
Prior to your arrival, you will receive fully comprehensive details as to how to reach your apartment by public transport (should you choose not to take a cab – always the easiest option! You may yourselves wish to look into the options before leaving home and these would include the following:
From Charles-de-Gaulle Airport
Most international flights land here. The two main terminals are some way apart; check with one you need to head for your flight home! The RER B line is the quickest way into Central Paris (40 min. to the Gare du Nord); 45 mins to Châtelet-les-Halles). Access is direct from Terminal 2; from Terminal 1 take the free shuttle. Trains run every 15 minutes. What we tend to recommend is (other than jumping in a cab), that you take the RER and take a taxi from the Centre to your apartment. For ‘Louvre’ you would get off at Châtelet-Les-Halles, other apartments the Gare du Nord.
RATP Roissybus
Runs every 15 mins and drops you at Opéra (at least 45 mins.). You can buy your ticket on the bus. This is the best solution for those of you staying at ‘Garnier’.
Paris Airport Service is a door-to-door minibus. Whilst these can be a good answer for larger groups, weight this up against the cost of a taxi (below). Under no circumstances use these services for your return. Many of our guests have missed their flight due to the driver being late. All it takes if for their pick-up flight at the airport that morning to be delayed and you are too! Prices range from €24 per person to €12.40 for eight people. www.parisairportservice.com. Note that we do not recommend this company in particular; there are a whole host of them on the internet so you might want to do a few price checks yourselves.
A taxi into central Paris takes between 30 and 60 mins and cost €30-€50, plus €1 per luggage item over 5 kilos (starting from 2nd piece of luggage).
By Car
If possible, we strongly advise you to avoid driving into Paris. Not only is it impossible to park but if you do not know the city well, getting your head around the one-way system. If you do need to bring a car with you, we will of course give you clear instructions as to how to reach the closest car park from your apartment.
Maps
Aside from maps that will be available for your use in your apartment, free maps of the metro, bus and RER systems are available at airports and métro stations.
Public Transport
Whilst we will encourage to do most of your travelling around town on foot, the RATP (www.ratp.fr) does run the bus, métro and suburban tram routes, as well as lines A and line B of the RER express railway, which connects with the métro inside Paris. State rail SNCF (www.sncf.com) runs RER lines C, D and E for the suburbs and the entire nationwide rail network.
The Paris métro is a good way to get around. Trains run daily 5.30 am to 12.40 am, Mon-Sat. Please refer to www.pad-a-terre.com and your apartments web page to consult which stops are closest to your apartment. Numbered lines have their direction named after the last stop. Follow the orange Correspondance signs to change lines. The five RER lines run 5.30 am to 1am daily across Paris and into commuterland. Métro tickets are valid for RER zones 1-2.
Fares and Tickets
RATP tickets and passes are valid on the métro, bus and RER. Tickets and carnets can be bought at metro stations, tourist offices and tobacconists (‘Tabacs’); single tickets can be bought on buses. Do not throw you ticket away (there are many spot checks); you will also need it to get out of RER stations.
Tickets cost €1.40, a carnet of ten €10.50. A Mobilis day pass is €5.40 for zones 1 and 2 and €18.40 for zones 1 to 8 (airports excluded). A three-day Paris Visite pass for zones 1-3 is €18.50, a five-day pass is €26.65, with discounts on sights.
Buses
Buses run 6.30 am to 8.30pm, with some routes continuing to 12.30 am, Mon-Sat; limited services on certain lines Sun and public holidays. You can use a métro ticket, a ticket bought from the driver (€1.40) or a travel pass. Tickets should be punched in the machine next to the driver; show passes to the driver.
Night Buses
The 18 Noctambus lines run from place du Châtelet to the suburbs (hourly 1.30 am -5.35 am Fri, Sat); look out for the owl logo on bus stops. A ticket is €2.70 and allows one change; passes are valid.
River Transport
Batobus
www.batobus.com. Feb-Mar, Oct-Dec, 10am – 7pm daily; Apr-Sept 10am to 10pm daily. One day pass €11. Boats stop every 20 mins at the Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, St-Germin-Des-Prés (quai Malquais), Notre-Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Hôtel de Ville, the Louvre, Champs-Elysées (Pont Alexandre III). Tickets are available from Batobus stops, RATP and tourist offices.
Rail Travel
Versailles and Disneyland Paris are served by the RER. The SNCF railway serves most locations out of the city; the TGV high-speed train has slashed journey times and is steadily extending to all main regions. Tickets can be bought at any SNCF station, SNCF shops and travel agents. If you reserve online (www.sncf.com) or by phone (0892 35 25 25), you can pay and pick up your tickets from the station. SNCF automatic machines (billeterie automatique) only work with French credit cards. Buy in advance to secure the cheapest fare. Before you board any train, stamp your ticket in the yellow composteur machines on the platforms, otherwise you will get a hefty fine.
Taxis
Taxis are hard to find at rush hour or early in the morning. Ranks are indicated with a blue sign. A white light on a taxi’s roof means it’s free; orange means it’s busy. You pay for the time it takes your radioed taxi to arrive.
All taxi numbers are detailed in the guide. For your return to the airport we suggest that you telephone the night before and specify that you will need a Renault Espace (people carrier) as otherwise taxis only take 3 passengers.
G7
01 41 27 66 99 (in English)
Taxis Bleus
01 49 36 10 10
Parking
There are still a few on-street parking areas in Paris, but they’re often full. If you park illegally, your car will be clamped or towed away. Don’t park in areas marked for deliveries (livraisons) or taxis. Pay and display machines take cards (carte de stationnement) available from tobacconists (€15 or €30). Parking is often free at weekends, after 7pm and in August (less and less). Undergrounds car parks costs €2.50 per hour, €20 for 24 hours. Some have lower rates after 6pm. See www.parkingsdeparis.com
Cycling
At Pad à Terre, we are firm believers in cycling being the best way to get around town, above all as the Mairie de Paris has been promoting cycling in the city since 1996. The city website (www.paris.fr) can provide an up-to-date list of routes and downloadable map of cycle lanes. A free Paris à Velo map can also be picked up at any Mairie or from bike shops. Cyclists can use certain bus lanes, especially the new ones, which are set off by, a strip of kerbstones – look out for traffic signs with a bike signal. You might even consider a guided bike tour.
Cycle Hire
Maison Roue Libre
1, passage Mondétour, 1st, Metro Les Halles. You need to take your passport and €150 deposit is required. €3 an hour/€9 a day. Open 10 am to 7 pm.
Paris-Vélo
2, rue Fer-à-Moulin, 5th. Open 10 am to 7pmMountain bikes and 21-speed models. Five hours €12, €30 for the weekend. Valid passport and €300 required.
Museum Hours and Passes
Most national museums close on Tuesdays; most municipal museums close on Mondays. To avoid crowds, visit on weekdays, or take advantage of the late-night opening that most big museums offer. Pre-booking is vital before 1pm at the Grand Palais, and it’s possible to pre-book the Louvre, the Luxembourg and major exhibitions. Most ticket counters close 30 to 45 minutes before the official closing time.
The most economical way to visit Paris museums is the Paris Museum Pass (www.parismuseumpass.com). The pass is available in two-day (€30), four-day (€45) and six-day (€60) formats. It lets you into more than 60 museums and monuments in Paris, though you will have to pay extra for special exhibitions, and also allows you to jump queues. The card is sold at participating museums and monuments, and tourist offices. All national museums are free of charge on the first Sunday of the month, and most museums also throw open their doors on one Sunday in April for the Printemps des Musées (www.culture.gouv.fr).
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