2 transport questions, 1 quite odd!

[justjools]

Hi everybody,

2 questiosn if you don't mind:

1. Terrible touristy queston this, don't shoot me please!

What is the best Paris open-top tour bus for one day, can you get tickets/ get on at any stop on the way or is there a central station for them?

Thinking that it may be a good way to orientate ourselves on the first day of our stay, though after that we will probably use the regular buses and/or walk. I have heard of some that offer (quite expensive!) 2 day tickets, but think one day will suffice.

2. Is a bit of an odd one, but it's related to the last - do many metro stations have escalators? I dont remember any that did last time I was there, but I was on my own and may not have noticed them. To explain we need to avoid these (my partner has photosensitve epilepsy combined with vertigo and gets very panicky/can't look at the stripes) and find most routes on the Tube in central London unworkable for this reason, so we bus it and walk, sometimes get the train.

For arriving, we plan to get the RER from CDG and taxi form St Michel to hotel.

And after much deliberationI'm pleased to report that we're staying for 3 nights/4 days in Latin Quarter, Rue Monge, Hotel Acte V. Nothing too fancy, but looks nice enough and very good TA reviews, I do hope it lives up to them!

Thanks
Jools

[Happygoin]

Justjools, neither of those questions is odd at all. And, even if one of them was odd, we value odd on this forum ;D

I think that taking the hop-on-hop-off bus the first day is an excellent way to get the layout of the city. I've attached a link to them for you here: europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-sightseeing-buses.htm

As for the escalator question, it seems to me that most metro stations with escalators also have stairs. Sometimes I take the stairs, even if there's an escalator, to justify that extra éclair after dinner . Someone will come along who will know the exact ones to avoid...

Your hotel looks perfectly fine!

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

I'm not sure where you could find a precise answer to your question, but I do recall that there are a couple of Metro stops (must be fairly central, because that's where most of my Metro travel was) that had really long (like several stories' rise) escalators. I know it's a steep climb coming out of Cite for instance, although I'm sure there are stairs there and you could take the stairs (pausing if necessary). There is at least one other in the central area where it's really a long way up, that's niggling at my memory but not quite making it through. (Most, if they have an escalator, also have stairs.)

The good news, however, is that if the two of you are in even okay shape you don't need to ever take the Metro if you don't wish to - my first several trips to Paris, I was too chicken to check it out and walked everywhere. Also, as you say, taking the bus is an alternative. I think also that Denise is one of those who take regular buses (not just the tourist ones, like HO-HO) and may be able to give more insight as to how to figure out what the routes are and the details of navigating them.

[mossie]

I am a big fan of the buses. Ask for the "grand plan" when you buy your tickets in a metro station. It will give the metro on one side of a large sheet, and the buses on the other. It is folded up pocket size but opens out tabloid newspaper size, so is not that convenient out and about. Gives an excuse for another cafe or whatever so you can spread it on the table. Also makes a serviceable umbrella or seat on damp grass if necessary.
The buses take a bit of fathoming out but once you get the hang of the system work quite well. They are not so quick as the metro and can involve waiting, but at least give you some extra siteseeing.
As you are staying in a central location, walking could be your best option for most of the sites.

[mossie]

Forgot to say that of course the same tickets are valid on the bus as the Metro, and the RER inner zone. Just buy a "carnet" of 10 tickets.

[Happygoin]

Gives an excuse for another cafe or whatever so you can spread it on the table. Also makes a serviceable umbrella or seat on damp grass if necessary.


Mossie, you get an exalt just because I like your thinking

[Jody]

Metro line 14 is fully accessible, with elevators and escalators. But I much prefer the bus. I've never had a problem at St Michel, the elevators and escalators have always been running when we've been there

[justjools]

Thanks everyone,
What a jolly friendly and helpful bunch you are!

I do like the sound of the Batobus, weather permitting!

I think we will use that, and walk around a lot, catching the odd regular bus if we get really tired or on a whim. I already have carnet too which I can make the most of.

Useful to know about Line 14 too though.

3 days and counting!
Jools

[dannydg]

I'm sure you'll love the bus and the train, whats impt is enjoying the ride, just be careful.