Metro or subway is my favorite mode of transport in any city. It is cheap, it is convenient, it is environmentally friendly and it gives you a taste of the local life!
When I look for a hotel I try to find it near a metro station. In Paris we stayed at the Hotel Ibis Styles Paris Crimee La Villette, which was about 300 meters walk from the Cremee Metro Station. It suited our needs perfectly. It is the M7 line but once you are on a metro you can interchange and go anywhere! I had downloaded a Paris Metro app and I had data, and we were ready to explore Paris on our own!
Even though this was a personal trip it was made special by Atout France – France Tourism Development Agency and Paris Tourist Office who helped us discover the city of lights at our own pace by providing two 6 day travel cards for public transport and 2 Museum Passes. It was only on the first and the last day I bought tickets for metro. If you use the vending machine you can use notes and coins. But if you wish to buy from the cashier, you can only use card!
Other than taking a taxi back to the airport we either walked or took the metro. As we had 3 day cards we found that the gates would not open on my sister’s ticket even though it was valid. The station staff was always helpful, they would open the gate for her. We managed to get the ticket changed before our trip to Palace of Versailles. They suggested us to keep the ticket away from mobile phones.
We found great art on the walls of the station of Bastille. I would have loved to go station hopping like I did in Moscow. But with so much to see and do in Paris, it never really happened! I anyway wish to go back to Paris and if I do, I would make time to just go metro hopping!
One of our favorite spots in Paris was Bir Hakeim, it is walking distance from Eiffel Tower and gives you a fabulous opportunity to click some stunning pictures both of the tower and the bridge. You can see some of them here.
I keep documenting my metro and tram experiences under #themetroproject I love to collect the cards too! In the picture you can see Paris, Singapore, Prague, Dubai, Moscow and Delhi Metro cards!
I could simply go back to Paris to click more of these signs which are all over the city! I do hope Alka and I will return to this beautiful city one day!
PS. Even though this was a personal trip, there were two collaborations that I need to mention. This trip was made special by Atout France – France Tourism Development Agency and Paris Tourist Office who helped us discover the city of lights at our own pace by providing two 6 day travel cards for public transport and 2 Museum Passes for 4 days, allowing us to explore the city at its fullest.
Lovely shots! Travelling by local transport is definitely the best way to get a taste of local life.
Thank you, I hope one day I will see the beautiful stations of Stockholm too!
A nice visit for us readers as well.
Thank you Neeraj!
This is such a lovely post. I had done the same when I had gone to Paris many years ago. Hopefully I will revisit someday.
I hope you and I will go back to the beautiful soon!
A metro ride is real fun, fast and hassle free.. The pics speak a thousand words on the beautiful places in Paris
Thank you Sunita 😀
Beautiful post and pics.
Thank you Rupam!
The metro in Paris is awesome. And I found it easier to use than the Subway in NYC!
Thank you for sharing your experience 😀
Sounds interesting. Nice frames, Mridula.
Thank you Niranjan!
Simple and lovely. Definitely helpful.
Thank you Sangeet!
The wall painting at the station is so impressive!
I love the metros for such things! Didn’t find much time in Paris though!
lovely captures and looks Paris by metro had made travel easy.The tips are useful especially keep tickets away from mobile!
Thank you Mayuri! 😀
Would the metro card work on buses too?
I think so!
Shrindhi Handa.. Best way to buy a weekly pass @Eur 25 at CDG train station,carry your Pp size Pic , because airport CDG to city train ticket is approx 12 Eur, so to-Fro cost Eur24/ but in this pass u To-Fro Airport n also use all Metro / Bus / Train in Paris for 1 week free , also beware from some Cheater at train station, they offer to help you to buy ticket but put you in big problem,
Thank you for explaining it so well!
Great to see Paris Metro from your lenses .
Thank you Yogi!