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The Paris Bus System

The bus system is Paris is extensive. The buses run in the city and into the suburban neighborhoods, making them a popular method of commuting. Paris’s buses are generally frequented by locals rather than tourists. The benefit that the bus has over the Metro is that while you are riding the bus you have the chance to look out the window and see the gorgeous sights of Paris.

Tickets

There are many ways to purchase tickets for the bus in Paris. You can purchase a ticket from the bus driver when you board the bus. This is a cash only transaction and it is helpful to have exact change. It is more convenient, and faster, to buy a T ticket in advance. The bus uses the same tickets as the Metro. You can purchase tickets at any Metro station and selected bus stations. Buying a ten pack of T tickets will save you time, money, and effort.

Paris Visite Card

If you plan on using Paris’s public transportation system often, you may want to purchase the Paris Visite Card. This allows you unlimited access on the bus, Metro, and RER train lines. You can choose how many days you want to have the card for. You also choose which zones you want your card to work in. If you are only traveling central Paris, zones 1 through 3 should suffice. This card makes public transit in Paris very easy and accessible.

Hours

Buses are very frequent in Paris. They can run as often as every 5 minutes during the day. Some buses do not run on Sundays and if they do, it is much less frequent. The buses generally stop running around midnight or earlier. However, there are options for late night people. The buses that operate at night in Paris are called Noctilien. The amount of Noctilien running in Paris continues to increase in order to accommodate people’s busy schedules.

Safety

Millions of Parisians ride the public bus every day. Paris is not a city with a lot of crime but it is important that you use common sense. You may be on a very crowded bus so it is important that you are aware of your surroundings as well as where your valuables are. You should also use caution when using the bus at night.

Hop on Hop off Buses

A great option for both transportation and sightseeing is to get a ticket for a Hop on Hop off type of bus. Generally these buses circle throughout central Paris going by all of the major sights such as Norte Dame, The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and many more. One option for this type of bus is Paris L'OpenTour. You can purchase a ticket for either one day or two and then get on and off the bus as much as you wish. The bus can stop at over 40 places in the city of Paris. Another Hop on Hop off bus option is the Paris City Hop-on Hop-off Tour. These buses run every ten or twenty minutes, meaning you will never have to wait long for a ride. Generally bus tickets of this time can be purchased in advance or online.

Major Routes

Bus stops are marked by signs that say the word “Bus” inside a blue circle. This makes them easy to stop and read. It is likely that the stop will have map of the bus system, as well as some arrival and departure times. However, it is recommended that you get a map of both the bus and the metro lines before riding. There are almost 60 bus lines within the city, and many more in the suburbs. Not all buses stop at each stop, therefore you may need to wave and make sure the driver sees you so that they will stop. To get off you must signal the driver by pushing the stop button.

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The Paris Bus System