This is a blog post covering multiple topics which are hopefully helpful!

  • The recent change to the Paris bus routes.
  • A quick refresher on how and why to use buses.
  • Some great bus routes.

RECENT CHANGES: For the first time in many years, there were changes to the bus routes.  According to RATP (the transit authority) “This is a historic event as the Paris bus network has not changed much since 1950, despite the major population growth and urban development the Île-de-France region has undergone since that time.” So if you have been to Paris before check the bus routes to see if the ones you have used before have changed. Here is a summary of the changes:

  • They have slightly altered some stops on the existing routes.
  • They have added a few new routes.
  • The main change is that they have extended many of the bus routes at the beginning or end or both.
  • There is a cool interactive map which shows the changes. Click on “Ancien” to show the old routes and “Nouveau” to show the new.

WHY: Most tourists who come to Paris are thrilled by the metro. Its cool, its fast, and there are those great Art Deco entrances! By contrast buses can be found in cities around the world. But think again about taking a bus!

  • You can sightsee while getting to your final destination
  • Buses are often just as fast or even faster than metro
  • If you need to change/transfer metro lines to get where you are going, take a look and see if there is a direct bus. Much easier!
  • Some of the routes are as good as the “hop on hop off sightseeing buses” – though without the commentary

HOW:

  • Buy your tickets (t+ tickets) in the metro just like you buy metro tickets from the machines or the vendor. Don’t buy your tickets on the buses – they are more expensive and not as versatile.
  • In the metro you get t+ tickets which have advantages.
  • The t+ tickets you buy in the metro are good for the buses.
  • The t+ tickets allow you to transfer between buses but not metro to bus. Sadly there are no tickets which allow for metro to bus transfer.
  • With a t+ ticket you can travel for up to 90 minutes with stops to change buses along the way (but not a round trip!)

WHERE/MAPS:

  • Maps of the bus routes are available in subway ticket stations.
  • If you do a search on google and choose public transport, then selected OPTIONS, then choose BUS. Instead of automatically showing you how to get there by metro, it will instead show you the options for taking the bus

BUS ROUTES: Here are some bus routes to consider.

  • Bus 72: This bus was one of the ones changed by extending it to the Gare de Lyon. It now runs along the Rive Droite of the Seine for most of Paris starting near the Gare de Lyon in the east, going all the way to Porte de St. Cloud in the west. It is one of the most touristy of bus routes passing many classic monuments.
  • Bus 73: This bus runs along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and past the Arc de Triomphe. You can hop on at one end of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées  and then walk back to the other end.
  • Bus 40: This bus line isn’t new but was added a few years ago near Sacre Coeur. It travels up and down the small streets of Montmartre. You can catch it either near the Abbesses metro or the Jules Joffrin metro. Of course, you can always take the funicular or walk up to Sacre Coeur instead.

Let me know what bus routes you have found that you like!