I hate languages, but there's absolutely no problem with my recent trip to Paris. Like yk & uk1 say, you just need to know a few phrases, and most importantly, show some courtesy and try to use a few words when you approach someone for tickets, directions, whatever... You show respect for them, they show respect for you, simple as that.

So, even though I speak as little French as yk, I managed to bring a group of 10 people to tour Paris for 3.5 days - including getting subway tickets, SNCF tickets, meals from crepes to fastfood to sit-down ones. Did not have a single problem anywhere, whatsoever.

When people say some Parisians are rude, I say they are rude for a reason. If you walk up a counter and just start speaking English, you're not showing any respect for them, and you'll have a good chance of getting only responses in French, even if that person knows English well.

[This message has been edited by rkkwan (edited Mar 15, 2004).]

Exactly. If you simply say "Bonjour Monsieur (madame)" - and then stumble a bit - the French will "embrace you" and most in Paris will start to speak in English. Be rude and suddenly you will find that they do not appear to understand .........

Need an update...
 

I came upon this thread via a search and wanted to see if you all could answer a specific question.

I'm planning a six-day/five night trip to Paris in late March/early April (arrive Thursday March 30th, leave Tuesday April 4). The first night we are going to stay in Versailles at the Trianon Palace and the other four nights we will stay at the Plaza Elysees (177 blvd. Haussman in the 8th - by the Charles de Gaulle/Etoile metro and RER station).

Here are my questions:

1) How difficult is it to take RER to Versailles from CDG? I know to take RER B from CDG, transfer at St. Michel/Notre Dame to RER C to Versailles Rive Gauche. We would probably cab to the Trianon from there. I've read that the transfer at St. Michel/Notre Dame is a big pain, especially with luggage. Anyone have any thoughts? And what would be the approximate cost of the trip (not including cab)?

2) Assuming RER is the way to go out to Versailles, I assume that it would be most cost-effective to pay separately to go RER back into Paris from Versailles and then get a zone 1-3 Paris Visite pass for the rest of our stay. I'm certain we would not venture out to zones 4 and 5 besides coming back from Versailles. Alternatively, would a Carte Orange be more cost-effective? I've kind of ruled out carnets because of our experience the last time there, when my wife and I each went through two carnets in two days. As far as getting back to CDG, we would probably just do the Air France bus from the pick-up point on Ave. Friedland since our hotel is so close.

Sorry to ramble on, I'm just trying to as exact an estimate of transportation expectations and costs as possible.

Regards, EWC

EWC-JMU, we are on the same page. Sorry I don't have an answer to your question, but I do have another question.

I will be going to Paris 3/4-3/9 Saturday through Thursday. What can somebody reccommend for using the Orange card. I could just buy tickets for Saturday and Sunday, and use the card Mon-Thur, but would that be a waste? Any help appreciated!

Merci

The Carte Orange wouldn't be a good deal for you on this trip because it's valid Monday through Sunday.

Depending on what zones you'll be traveling in, a Paris Visite may actually be the most cost-effective choice, or possibly the Mobilis day passes. Then there's always the carnet... but the Mobilis becomes a better deal than a carnet if you would use more than 5 tickets in a day.

It depends on where you plan on going, in what zones, and how often you'll be using public transport versus walking.

When I've traveled on a strict budget, I've actually sat down and done a comparison of each option based on my itinerary (best guess of where I'd be going and when) to determine the best choice, but frankly the difference in price usually wasn't enormous. You can find all the rates on the RATP web site.

Agreed that the Carte Orange is not worth it for you due to the dates. Assuming you aren't going out of the city (zones 1 and 2), then either day passes or a carnet of individuals tickets would be best. Based on the math I did last fall, if you are taking less than 5 trips a day, you are best to buy the day pass. All my logic can be found here.

I can't figure out what the benefit of the VISITE cards are. A single day zone 1-3 Moblis is 7.40 Euros whereas the VISITE is 8.35 Euros. Does the Visite give you anything in addition to a day on the Metro?

Greg

It gives you a few discounts or other "benefits", but I've never known anyone who found them particularly useful or desirable.

The point where the Paris Visite becomes cheaper than Mobilis is with the 3-day pass, at €18.25, versus three Mobilis passes at €7.15 each. For one or two days within zones 1-3, Mobilis is the better deal.

Personally, there is only one time that the Paris Visite was worthwhile for me during a trip that fell from Thursday to Monday and involved a round trip to and from the airport and daily trips between zones 1 and 3. Otherwise, it's a very rare case where the Paris Visite is a good deal.

I should also note that Mobilis passes are not valid for travel to and from the airports, whereas the Carte Orange and Paris Visite are.

I think there is some type of transaction limit for foreign credit cards at the machines. I have been able to buy individual tickets, carnets and weekly carte oranges at the auto-machines with my US credit cards, but not a monthly carte orange.

Thanks to all who replied to my question. After considering everything, it looks like the 5 day Visite pass will be best and most cost-effective.

Regards, EWC

The carnet tickets will take you too and from CDG, right?

No, to get to and from CDG you need either a special ticket, which costs 8 euros one way and you can buy at the train station at CDG or in Paris, or you can use a Carte Orange or Paris Visite zones 1-5 (CDG is in zone 5).

Thanks iff. I was mistaken.

A zone 1-5 "visite" will get you to CDG; the "moblis" will not (at least that is what the ratp site states.) If one plans to travel in central paris (zones 1-2), a carnet might be the best deal of all; the carnet tickets can be used on any day you choose. [For example, you can take 4 trips on tuesday, not travel on wednesday, 2 trips on thursday, skip friday and saturday, and 4 on sunday.]
If one has a eurrail pass (unlimited for a fixed period), it is valid on certain rer lines (line c to versailles, line b from cdg to gare du nord, all of line e.) The europass (valid on specific dates at your choosing) whould require "wasting" a day for local travel, not very cost effective.

Carte Orange
 

I have one question, it seems cheaper to buy the Carte Orange and then buy a separate ticket to Versailles, however, what about transportation from the Charles De Galle airport? Does the Carte Orange cover transportation from the airport to Central Paris?

Thanks for any info.