Paris Bus System
You may have heard of Balabus. Balabus is part of the RATP busline, but it only runs during the high tourist season from April to September. (It also is referred to as Bus #7 as of 2006).
The Balabus starts at La Defense in Paris’s western suburbs (La Grande Arche) and proceeds toward Champs Elysees, following the Seine River, straight through the middle of Paris. It ends up at Gare de Lyon. You can take portions of this route for one Metro/bus ticket, but if you want to take the entire ride from start to finish, you’ll need to validate three tickets for the various zones included in the route. I have not taken this route myself from start to finish, so I’m basing this information on the RATP site under the heading Tourist info. This is another option to the Open Tour which is a hop on, hop off One -day or two day Pass.
It’s really worth the effort to familiarize yourself with the Paris bus system. Keep in mind that most bus terminals are found near the train stations. The buses we use most frequently are the Montparnasse buses which all numbered in the 90s i.e. #92, #94, #95, #96. for example, the #95 Bus can get us from Montparnasse to the Louvre, and almost all the way up to Montmartre. (From Pigalle, you can pick up the Montmartrobus bus which will take you right up to Place du Tertre). #96 line will get us to Notre Dame (Cite Island) and on to the Marais.
Buy your bus/Metro tickets at the bus terminal or in any Metro stop. You can also pay for one ticket when you get on the bus (1.50 Euros). Normally, bus tickets cannot be used on separate bus lines, unless you’re transferring to a tram or continuing a specific route (this is advanced Paris bus use) we usually only use one direct bus route.
Certain seats are reserved for the elderly and veterans. Head to the back of the bus for the best views!
Some of the other bus terminals beginning near train stations include:
Gare du Nord (42, 43, 46, 47. 48., 49)
Gare St. Lazare (20, 21, 22, 24,26, 27, 28, 29)
Gare de Lyon (63, Balabus)
Gare D’Austerlitz (89)
Gare du Luxembourg (82-85) (RER Gare, not trains)
Gare de L’Est (30, 31, 32 38,39)
Gare Montparnasse (92-95)
By Parisgirl | Permalink
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